It is Tuesday and it is raining off and on. It is cold and squally.

You may wonder why I should be pounding the streets and talking to the voters when I have the option of chatting on Facebook to many more, all from the comfort of my little office at home.  

Answer. I discover all sorts of things I would never find out just by staring endlessly at my computer screen.

I am fascinated by the story of a Canadian originally from Northern Ireland who immigrated here in 1955. He worked for the Post Office and then became a sign-writer. He tells me that for twenty years he did the little plaques you see on the side of old houses all over downtown Newmarket. We go on to talk about the election.

I am struck by the number of empty houses on Srigley. The tell-tale sign is the huge black padlock hanging on the front door. And the Vegh sign on the lawn outside.

Many of the old bungalows have been bought up, only to be demolished and replaced with new, much larger, dwellings.

Evolving neighbourhoods

This is a very familiar story. How do you allow neighbourhoods to evolve while retaining their essential character?

One resident points from his doorstep to three separate locations where new homes in the modern style have replaced the former bungalows. He tells me:

“The ceilings are 10 feet high”.

The Town now has a policy for regulating development in stable residential areas after dragging its feet for years.

The monster home at 1011 Elgin Street - which I made a big song and dance about in 2017 - proved to be the catalyst for change.

Gordon Prentice 18 October 2022