I am a resident of Wasaga…

I am a resident of Wasaga Beach. I am not in favour of the Town of Wasaga taking control of Allenwood, New Wasaga, Beach 2 and Beach 2. I attended a Wasaga town hall meeting on July 17, 2025. I asked CEO Andrew McNeil what the Province paid for maintenance, enforcement and capital projects for the afore mentioned beaches. He didn't know. But instead of saying that he didn't know, he said that the transfer of these four beaches to the town of Wasaga would create great opportunities for mixed use development. 50% of Wasaga's residents are seniors. The majority moving to Wasaga after tbey retired. My friends moved here to get away from the city and its problems. We dont want Wasaga to look like a city. We want Wasaga to maintain its small town charm and for its beaches to be free of development. Andrew McNeil showed photos of 12 cottages that his family owned on Wasaga beach. These cottages were expropriated Andrew is a country person who wants condos townhouses and stores on these 4 beaches. Likewise for Mayor Smith. These two pro development town employees couldnt care less about what we, the residents, want. I lived in Vancouver for 13 years and White Rock, BC for three years.. What would Vancouvernlook like without Stanley Park? There are no condos in Stanley Park. There are no condos along the White Rock beach. Wasaga beach has ecologically sensitive areas with dunes, natural dune grasses and endangered species such as the piping plover. During a visit to Tamps two years ago, I could see that the city roped off sensitive dune areas because they were trying to regrow dune grass. Ask tourists what they want to see in Wasaga. They dont come here to visit stores or look at condos. We have already lost 864 parkibg spaces at Wasaga's beach 1. The mayor and the CEO keep lieing about the "thousands" of parking spots available. The truth is that the Town of Wasaga is negotiating eith the Province to get control of their beach parking lots because Beach 1's parking spots are becoming stacked townhomes. At July 17's public meeting Mayor Smith stated that tbere will br 400 parking spaces under the hotel. Since parking under the hotel is limited to one floor due to the water table I dont believe his numbers. As a resident I get free municipal parking. The new Marriot hotel will be charging a minimum of $15 per hour so what is the point to alk of this beach development when the Town of Wasags gas not considered where tourists are going to park. Lastly, I used to take my grandkids to New Wasaga beach, still owned by the Province of Ontario. I dont go to thst beach anymore because they built town homes across from the beach. That development spoiled the pristine nature of the beach. I would prefer that the Province spend more money on Wasaga Beaches' washrooms ans beach. The garbage csns need to be emptied and the washroons cleaned. We need enforcement to let Totonto.people know that they cannot throw beer bottles in the lake. I should mention that I worked for Environment Canada, Forestry Cansda and was a consultant on environmental communications. To change the Act to let power hungry politicians do what they want with our precious natural resources is wrong. Mayor Smith wants a legacy. He wanrs a " look at what I did moment". Please, I am begging you NOT to allow these lands to be transferred to the Town. You can only get it right once. Once these precious lands are paved over they are lost forever. One more thing when I asked CEO Andrew McNeil who was paying for mainitenance and enforcement of these beaches, he said that the Province would help out. Really? Maybe the Ford government will but what about tge one afterwards? I pay $7100 in annual property taxes. I cant afford to pay for beach maintenance too. Save these precious beach lands for our grandchildren. Dont make them suffer the folly of egotistical, power hungry men.