INTEGRITY
I have consistently, in my nine years on Council, respected residents' concerns regarding the enjoyment of their homes. I have always been aware that, for many citizens, their home is their most important investment.  It is the most important not only because it is their biggest capital asset, but also because being able to enjoy their property figures largely in their sense of personal well-being. 

As I have stated on this website since it first went up in 2003, this awareness "is crucial to me when development throughout the City puts pressures on residential neighbourhoods." Usually this means that I support residents who do not want a commercial parking lot in the midst of their residential area, or a tall apartment building next door overlooking their backyard, or other inappropriate uses of that nature.  In the case of this Trail, I felt morally obligated to stay true to my pledge of continuing to stand in support of abutting homeowners.

In 2000, the Council of which I was a part voted to permanently forego building the section of the Trail running from Morrison to Lundy's Lane because of the neighbours' opposition.   I could not support reversing that 2000 decision and going back on our collective assurance that our decision was final.  I believe Council should not constantly revisit something and create an atmosphere of uncertainty in the community. 

The decision which Council made in 2000 – that the Millennium Trail would consist of a “Cadillac” of a trail between Lundy's Lane and McLeod INSTEAD OF a trail along the full length of the Hydro Canal as originally envisioned – has not given the respect it should have received.  The Trails & Bikeways Committee should have been redirected, once their Canada Millennium Partnership Project was concluded and the Millennium Trail official opening ceremony had been held, to other undertakings.