Yorkregion.com - Columns - Can we maintain that loving feeling, Stouffvillians?
Can we maintain that loving feeling, Stouffvillians?
Jim Mason
Columns
Apr 24, 2008 06:41 AM
By: Jim Mason
I picked up my son at a friend’s place in southern Markham Friday.
It was in a manicured neighbourhood, with well-appointed homes facing an empty park and a new school. Think of a Desperate Housewives meeting Leave It To Beaver style of street.
Some of the houses were Better Homes and Gardens stunning.
Sadly, I saw no evidence of community. No arena, corner store, church, community centre or coffee shop in the several blocks I drove while getting lost in the maze of streets.
It was the same deal with a development relatives moved into in neighbouring Durham Region. Stylish houses at affordable prices we haven’t seen in Stouffville since Fran Sainsbury was mayor and Brian Mulroney was PM.
I smugly drove back up the Ninth Line to the comforts of our cozy home town last weekend. Just past the acres of new houses and schools and mountains of dirt and near the parking lot of big boxes, it hit me.
Shall we become the suburban same? Does your population sign hit a magic number and you’re suddenly part of the burbs and no longer Slowville?
Those who left Stouffville for a permanent vacation in cottage country think so.
Others, who have stayed, bemoan the good old days when you, for better or worse, couldn’t go to the A & P, IDA or LCBO without being spotted by an acquaintance.
So, how do you build or retain that elusive but loved feeling of community?
It is about institutions welcoming newcomers?
Is it the new folk bringing their traditions and interests to Stouffville? Is it the municipality playing a lead role in the social side of growth?
Is it all of the above?
Not sure.
I do know it’s too late to stop the development clock, if that’s ever possible.
Jim Mason is editor of The Sun-Tribune.