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Zero out of Ten?

DUNDAS VALLEY: 50 Year Vision: Strategic Directions

  1. Preserve and enhance the connectivity of ecosystems in the Valley and explore the co-benefits of connecting with the Cootes to the Escarpment strategy.
  2. Preserve the escarpment and rural countryside, including selected vistas.
  3. Protect rare, endangered and species at risk in the Valley area.
  4. Combat the impact of invasive and nuisance species within the Valley.
  5. Protect and enhance the health of streams, watercourses, and waterfalls.
  6. Maintain and protect local architectural and natural heritage
  7. Promote green business practices within the community.
  8. Develop farmer generated mechanism to develop public support for agriculture and increase the awareness of the importance of local agriculture as both an activity and a lifestyle and Support the promotion of locally grown and processed crops in close proximity to residents.
  9. Support the implementation of the City of Hamilton’s ‘special character’ roads through the Valley.
  10. Develop a Valley-wide sustainable tourism business plan
I was on the stakeholder committee that helped develop these strategic directions: where do you think Maplewood fits in? Well, the Maplewood that the HCA staff recommended be torn down and the natural area rehabilitated fits in nicely: the Maplewood that for some reason is back on the agenda where the HCA spends six figures to fix it up to then lease for 15 years to a private school that charges $10,000.00 per child each year, who will run a farm/garden in the middle of Dundas Valley, does nothing to achieve the strategic directions as we envisaged.

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