Ramara named in rights complaint; Claim states building design discriminates against disabled

Shame on the township of Ramara for being forced to defend their (in)actions!

Here we go again. Due to the inactions of this council, ratepayers may find themselves liable for the consequences of their not taking active measures to move towards complying with provincial legislation, on this matter.

This council decided not to fund a study, in its’ 2008 Budget that would undertake a review of alternatives for the townhall’s designs and alternative locations. In 2007 I made a request to Bill Kahler to establish the terms of reference for this project. I never got any commitment the township would do so! Your inaction spoke louder than words! It said to ratepayers – “accessibility is not a priority”. This council had no plan, except to bury their collective heads in the sand, with the hopes no constituent comes forward with a complaint.

If this was the case, I wonder if council or staff knew what the consequences of their inactions? As a ratepayer I would like to know that my local council has done its’ due diligence. If a risk assessment was undertaken and its’ probable consequences defined, I have no evidence of it ever being made public.

In my opinion Ramara’s inaction is part of a hidden agenda to ensure that a new townhall gets built on the current site in Brechin. Inaction allowed the township to be forced into a corner. Now they can say, “We don’t have the time for a comprehensive and public review if an alternative sight would best serve the needs of Ramarans. This is the only property we have, and there is no time to find an alternative site”.

During the Brechin sewer debate, I heard proponents make declarations that the installations of sewer services will make the current townhall location a valuable commercial site, and that if sold may bring a substantial cash windfall, into the township. I guess now we’ll most likely never know!

This council did recognize that retrofitting the current townhall in Brechin would be throwing scarce $$$ down the drain. Unfortunately due to the inactions, of this council, events may force the township’s hand, and as a consequence, upgrades will be forced upon the old townhall.