The Nerd with Braces
 
 
Phillip Hong
January 26, 2010
 
I'm angry. Apparently, I'm so angry that I was angrily quoted in The National Post for being angry about an angry issue.
 
"Phillip Hong of Woodbridge, meanwhile, was just plain angry at the whole idea: 'No wonder most Vaughan residents didn't vote in the last municipal election.'"
 
The National Post, January 23, 2010
 
Why am I angry about the issue of civic participation? Well, the idea stems from the fact that Vaughan, Markham and York Regional Councils have all expressed support over the renaming of Highway 7 to "Avenue 7", which will definitely cost taxpayers. It's a part of an image makeover that will add to the road's "new identity".
 
Fine. I admit that the name of York Region's second most important arterial road isn't exactly a nice smelling bunch of roses, and it's almost a travesty to know that some people think that this is just a way out of, rather than a way into, great opportunities.
 
But the money that will come out of our land taxes to pay for this silly act are funds that could easily be better spent. The region's food banks, for example, are trying to cope with new demand, and the recession really proves that there are much more pressing items out there. Affordable housing is in horrible shape, and you think our "image" is important?
 
It's time that we all take a page from the cheesy, corny after school movies that once graced our screens a couple of decades ago - so what if Highway 7 looks like a nerd with braces? We have some great ideas and brains out there who won't care what the "7" will be named, simply because it's a road on a map with an already existing character that is the product of its own self-development.
 
We, as Southern York Region residents, are key to Highway 7's past, present and future identity, and no government name change will immediately change anything.
 
Would we have this debate if the province still owned the road? Does anyone believe that people such as future tourists and residents will be confused over a possible name change? And why such a high cost to modify one ridiculous word?
 
There are people who are hungry, seniors and families who need shelter and a transit system that is still fumbling without its own lanes. I find it very astonishing to think that renaming a road would possibly be an important issue at all.
 
Some cities have referendums. To cite an example, Vancouver held one to engage public support over their later successful 2010 Olympics bid. We have politicians who assume that we agree to all of their suggestions along with "public information meetings" that is no where near the level of participation found with the ballot box.
 
Does anyone realise that Vaughan, Richmond Hill and Markham, the three municipalities that are home to Highway 7 in York, is home to 700,000 residents (give or take)? Unless you were an elected official, you weren't given a say on this matter.
 
Here's an idea to promote civic participation - provide ways for the public to participate, especially with this key issue!
 
I'm an occasional election official who is actually quite satisfied with our lowest level of governance, but this is a boundary that should never have been crossed without the consent of the citizenry.
 
Phillip Hong, a resident within suburban Toronto, is a constant tourist. Check out the interesting experiences of his journeys on The Travelling Briefcase.
   
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