Photo of Little Lake looking west from Roger's Cove. Photo (C) Jeannine Taylor

We Oppose The Little Lake Development Proposal

Target:

5000

Sponsored by:

PLEASE ONLY SIGN THIS PETITION IF YOU ARE FROM CANADA, and especially if you are a resident of the City of Peterborough and County of Peterborough who are in Peterborough Riding (the distribution area for the ballots).

We want the results to count! PLEASE POST YOUR NAME. To attain a high level of credibility for this petition, we will be deleting anonymous posts. Your address will not be displayed but is a required field.

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Peterborough's Member of Parliament, Dean Del Mastro, has brought forward a proposal to Peterborough City Council for the private development of federal land on the east shores of Little Lake on land currently occupied by the Parks Canada buildings and greenspace. Given that:

- The area for the proposed development is greenspace that is currently enjoyed by the Citizens of Peterborough for various outdoor activities, including walking, running, biking, inline skating, picnicking, team sports, swimming, canoeing and kayaking within areas of restored natural shoreline, and that the current trail corridor over the Federal property is a natural area connector to adjacent trails at Rogers Cove and Beavermead Park and a connector portion of the Trans Canada Trail;

- The proposed development will have a detrimental impact on the environment, including the ecology of Little Lake, and that the proposed marina is of environmental and noise concern;

- The proposed development is on federal land owned by all Citizens of Canada, not just the Citizens of Peterborough, and therefore MP Del Mastro has no ethical or moral right to propose that this land be leased or sold or any other legal arrangement made with a private developer without consulting with all Citizens of Canada;

- There is already a municipal planning process underway for the City-owned area around Little Lake, and planning for development in the City of Peterborough should be driven by established municipal planning principles and processes rather than proposals from politicians and private developers;

- While no city-owned land would be directly allocated for the proposed development, the development would significantly affect the Citizens of Peterborough by removing use of the land for public enjoyment, by increasing traffic, pollution and noise in the area, and by requiring substantial peripheral construction to service the area;

- Any development of the greenspace area around Little Lake should consider proposals for public as well as private use of the land, and that any process for development proposals should be open to all businesses and citizens in Peterborough;

- MP Del Mastro has brought forward a proposal as a result of apparent collusion with a private developer, without prior consultation with the Citizens of Peterborough or Peterborough City Council and outside of the established planning process;

- MP Del Mastro is using his political position and taxpayer dollars inappropriately to influence public opinion on the merits of this proposal, without open and public debate through Peterborough City Council; and,

- The "ballot" plebiscite process established by MP Del Mastro to gauge public support for his proposal is not scientifically valid, is not transparent, is not accountable, and has no legal standing under the Municipal Elections Act, 1996;

The undersigned Citizens of Peterborough and Citizens of Canada object to the proposed development plan and request that Peterborough City Council refuse to accept any further submissions from MP Del Mastro regarding this proposal for private development until such time that the City can consult and engage citizens directly in a democratic process on this specific development proposal.

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- The area for the proposed development is greenspace that is currently enjoyed by the Citizens of Peterborough for various outdoor activities, including walking, running, biking, inline skating, picnicking, team sports, swimming, canoeing and kayaking within areas of restored natural shoreline, and that the current trail corridor over the Federal property is a natural area connector to adjacent trails at Rogers Cove and Beavermead Park and a connector portion of the Trans Canada Trail;

- The proposed development will have a detrimental impact on the environment, including the ecology of Little Lake, and that the proposed marina is of environmental and noise concern;

- The proposed development is on federal land owned by all Citizens of Canada, not just the Citizens of Peterborough, and therefore MP Del Mastro has no ethical or moral right to propose that this land be leased or sold or any other legal arrangement made with a private developer without consulting with all Citizens of Canada;

- There is already a municipal planning process underway for the City-owned area around Little Lake, and planning for development in the City of Peterborough should be driven by established municipal planning principles and processes rather than proposals from politicians and private developers;

- While no city-owned land would be directly allocated for the proposed development, the development would significantly affect the Citizens of Peterborough by removing use of the land for public enjoyment, by increasing traffic, pollution and noise in the area, and by requiring substantial peripheral construction to service the area;

- Any development of the greenspace area around Little Lake should consider proposals for public as well as private use of the land, and that any process for development proposals should be open to all businesses and citizens in Peterborough;

- MP Del Mastro has brought forward a proposal as a result of apparent collusion with a private developer, without prior consultation with the Citizens of Peterborough or Peterborough City Council and outside of the established planning process;

- MP Del Mastro is using his political position and taxpayer dollars inappropriately to influence public opinion on the merits of this proposal, without open and public debate through Peterborough City Council; and,

- The "ballot" plebiscite process established by MP Del Mastro to gauge public support for his proposal is not scientifically valid, is not transparent, is not accountable, and has no legal standing under the Municipal Elections Act, 1996;

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We signed the "We Oppose The Little Lake Development Proposal" petition!

# 1,452:

6:10 pm PDT, Sep 22, Kevin Wagar, Canada
This development is the perfect way to ruin what charm is left in downtown Peterborough. It's unnecessary, and unlikely to offer any reasonable ROI. All in all, its a dumb idea.

# 1,451:

8:21 pm PDT, Sep 10, Brett Foster, Canada

# 1,450:

11:51 am PDT, Sep 8, Jennifer Beaudin, Canada
I am a Peterborough native now living elsewhere but still come "home" to Peterborough regularly. One of the things I love the most is Little Lake has never been spoiled - don't mess it up now!

# 1,449:

10:07 am PDT, Aug 28, Kathleen Hughes, Canada

# 1,448:

4:15 pm PDT, Aug 18, Suzy Leeking, Canada

# 1,447:

2:26 pm PDT, Jul 27, Melissa Rosebush, Canada

# 1,446:

12:14 am PDT, Jul 27, Sylwia Podgórska, Poland

# 1,445:

9:41 pm PDT, Jul 24, Melissa Fuller, Canada

# 1,444:

4:32 pm PDT, Jul 24, Caitlin Eales, Canada

# 1,443:

10:55 am PDT, Jul 13, Name not displayed, Canada
I have followed this great debate from the beginning. I will give Mr. Del Mastro credit on a creative proposal however how much thought has really gone into the overall planning. I really do not see the point in have a facility of this nature on the far side of the downtown. Could you imagine being a resident living up across from Beavermeade. 2 lanes of traffic with few paths to get there. We should keep this location green and develope the existing Marina down on George St. Fix up the docking as I do keep my boat there for the whole summer. Move the art gallery and put shops in the location. Lets make better use of the new walkway in behind the holiday inn which doesn't stretch to lock 18. Lets focus on taking advantage of what we already have and making it better instead of throughing away money that could go to something like a sporting complex which we need. Thanks

# 1,442:

1:25 am PDT, Jul 11, Linda Jackman, Canada
This project is all wrong for the proposed property. Yes, it is in my back yard. No, I am not against progress and bringing tourists and jobs to the area. This is an environmentlly sensitive piece of land. I wonder how many of the "Yes" voters have actually walked along the trail or spent any time there. We finally convinced the city to stop dumping snow on city owned property in this area (which is not the proposed site as has been stated by some supporters of the project). This project in some form would be fine for another site. Maybe the developer would actually offer to pay Dieter and Darcy or the businesses across from Crary park, or even Liftlock Golfland (pretty close to my back yard)big bucks to redevelop their properties. The "well to do" could still see the river, lake, or locks from their condo windows without negatively impacting Little Lake.

# 1,441:

7:24 pm PDT, Jul 7, Janette Obert, Canada
I have lived in Peterborough my entire life. I would like to see the area remain Green. I would like to know Mr Del Mastro's definition of "Conflict of Interest".

# 1,440:

7:19 pm PDT, Jul 7, Name not displayed, Canada
As a former resident of Peterborough, it would be a shame to see this green space disappear.

# 1,439:

7:53 pm PDT, Jul 6, Ross McMahon, Canada

# 1,438:

6:29 pm PDT, Jul 6, Christina Warne, Canada
Keep privitization and excess development away from Peterborough's public land and greenspace!

# 1,437:

6:23 pm PDT, Jul 6, Carol Embury, Canada

# 1,436:

6:01 pm PDT, Jul 6, Alisha Embury, Canada
We should not develop on this watershed! By doing so we will be introducing numerous chemicals and waste into the water, further degrading the water source. We will be removing small, but not insignificant, areas of habitat for wildlife if we carry forward this proposal.

# 1,435:

1:15 pm PDT, Jul 6, Laurie Francis, Canada

# 1,434:

4:49 pm PDT, Jul 3, Nadine Changfoot, Canada
I am against the proposed development on Little Lake for the reasons cited in the letter. I would like to emphasize that I fully support open and transparent processes for development in the city for citizens and residents.

# 1,433:

8:12 am PDT, Jul 3, Kent Fiissel, Canada
KEEP OUR LAND PRISTINE, OUR LAKES CLEAN, OUR AIR FRESH. STOP THE SENSELESS DESTRUCTION NOW!! TOMORROW IS TOO LATE

# 1,432:

6:25 pm PDT, Jul 2, Name not displayed, Canada

# 1,431:

9:20 am PDT, Jun 30, Carl Rosenstock, Wisconsin

# 1,430:

6:30 am PDT, Jun 30, Chris McGillen, Canada
Little Lake is polluted enough as it is. Putting another Marina on the lake is just adding more pollutants to the already filthy water. If Del Mastro had half a brain he would be using our taxpayer dollars to clean up the lake; instead of privatizing it and polluting it more!

# 1,429:

8:47 pm PDT, Jun 29, Name not displayed, Canada
Neither I or anyone I know recieved a ballot. We are against this. This will not improve the lake but completely pollute it.

# 1,428:

11:25 am PDT, Jun 29, Emony Nicholls, Canada
Please preserve some of peterborough beautiful green space, we dont need an exclusive hotel and condos in the downtown area- green space is so much more valuable to our health and well being.

# 1,427:

10:37 am PDT, Jun 29, Annette Clough, Canada

# 1,426:

10:16 am PDT, Jun 29, Mike Barrenger, Canada
I worked on Little Lake - this is preposterous.

# 1,425:

7:23 am PDT, Jun 29, Kristan Billing, Canada

# 1,424:

2:43 pm PDT, Jun 28, Name not displayed, Canada
I live in view of Little Lake, but none of the tenants in this home have received a ballot, even though we have all lived here for years.

# 1,423:

12:11 pm PDT, Jun 28, Sally Chivers, Canada
There is no way this should be a priority at the moment, if ever.

# 1,422:

5:04 pm PDT, Jun 27, Name not displayed, Canada

# 1,421:

9:48 am PDT, Jun 27, Name not displayed, Canada
This proposal was presented in the wrong way and is too big for the location. The City is developing a Master Plan for Little Lake in which public consultation is first and foremost. Let's hear what the residents of Peterborough want. MP Del Mastro should respect the wishes of the residents of the City

# 1,420:

2:23 pm PDT, Jun 26, Stu Morris, Canada
This is a terrible idea.

# 1,419:

11:20 am PDT, Jun 26, Jesse Bateson, Canada

# 1,418:

8:40 am PDT, Jun 26, Amanda Miller, Canada
I have lived in Peterborough for almost four years, and plan to be here for many more. I came here to attend Trent University, and not because it was my only choice (I was accepted into Queens as well as Western, who offered me $8000 and advanced standing into second year straight from high school). One of the deciding factors was Peterborough greenspace, as well as the cultural atmosphere here and at Trent. I am very proud of this town and my school, and I am passionate about preserving them. This development is not in the interest of our community, or the environment.

# 1,417:

8:09 am PDT, Jun 26, Riley Hoffman, Canada
The proposal is a complete waste of money because it is not needed at all. Why expand a marina that is already large enough for the amount of boats that use it? Why build a hotel next to an existing hotel (Holiday Inn)? Why building footpaths when it is already a nice place to walk? Most of all what is the use of an IMAX theatre that shows video of the Trent Severn Waterway? If you want to enjoy the water way go to it and enjoy it; we don't need to watch it on screen. Del Crary Park is great the way it is. A large patch of grass is an important thing to have in any neighbourhood where people can play catch/frisbee, bring their dogs, fly a kite or anything they want to enjoy the sunshine. I do not see any benefits these developments will bring to the area or how it will be useful for the people of PTBO. Dean please use the money to HELP people not to create hype.

# 1,416:

7:32 pm PDT, Jun 25, Rebecca Lees, Canada
I think Dean Del Mastro has no right in what he is doing. He will not only be destroying the water/landscape but he will be destroying the property occupied by Parks Canada, a very important agency to Canada and Canadians. I am not sure what his motives are but they are certainly not in favour of Peterborough citizens. Instead, it seems as though they are more in favour of rich tourists. That's not what this city represents.

# 1,415:

4:34 pm PDT, Jun 25, Maureen O'Dwyer, Canada
I do not like the questions on the survey, they leave no room for other choices of development and land usage, and suggestions. It only appeals to short term employment in significant numbers and does not address a sound, community and tourism-centred plan. Hotels and convention centers will not save this city if there is nothing to do here, especially in the winter! Public, affordable access to leisure non-motorized water sports, walking, cafes, art museums and natural interpretive centres bring in families and tourists. Big hotels and conventions centres are noisy and dirty and take up the entire waterscape visually. I know this is not the best we can do, but it is about the investors' profit. We should not allow this and look to building a waterfront we can be proud of. You only get one shot at this. There is no rush. Look at what Toronto did to their waterfront--it was squandered. We should know better about what we have here and learn from that experience.

# 1,414:

10:52 am PDT, Jun 25, James Ouellette, Canada

# 1,413:

8:29 am PDT, Jun 25, Doug Simmons, Canada

# 1,412:

12:19 am PDT, Jun 25, Don Armstrong, Canada

# 1,411:

11:20 am PDT, Jun 24, Mark L. Craighead, Canada
I sure wish Del Monstro would leave the city alone and try to re-invent the auto industry and actually try to help people instead of lining the pockets of his track pants with this obviously self-serving and useless development. thanks for letting me get that out!

# 1,410:

10:40 am PDT, Jun 24, Rob Rutherford, Canada
Well this just goes along with the invisible train, and the non existant battery plant...maybe he should concentrate on ..I don't know created good paying jobs not call centres and senior's homes.

# 1,409:

8:23 am PDT, Jun 24, Mike Gorman, Canada
My wife and I have serious concerns regarding the MP's motives behind this proposal

# 1,408:

1:05 pm PDT, Jun 23, Daile O'Connor, New Jersey

# 1,407:

12:02 pm PDT, Jun 23, Name not displayed, Canada

# 1,406:

9:35 am PDT, Jun 23, Name not displayed, Canada

# 1,405:

6:03 am PDT, Jun 23, Kellie Warren, Canada

# 1,404:

5:02 am PDT, Jun 23, Susan Waters, Canada
I live in Orono but work at Quaker and grew up in East city. It is sooo wrong for this development. There are better ways to use this land. Please stop this!!!

# 1,403:

2:35 am PDT, Jun 23, Steve Klein, Virginia

# 1,402:

10:53 pm PDT, Jun 22, Todd Parker, Canada
Maybe I'm out of my mind, but my understanding is that the purpose of Parks Canada is to protect the natural environment, not sell it for condo buildings. Is this the sort of public works the federal government is looking for? What about rebuilding our disaster of a transportation network, or building a national power grid? Why is this proposal even on the table?

# 1,401:

8:35 pm PDT, Jun 22, Elaine Ferrier, Canada
As a former (and hopefully future) resident of Peterborough, a city I dearly love, I value Little Lake as it stands, and do not feel that this proposed development is in any way appropriate.

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