Hello, and thank you for taking the time to read about this petition. I want to say right from the beginning, that we are living through some very trying but extraordinary times. Most people today cannot say they have been through a pandemic, or had to deal with the logistics of one. Every one of us is living day by day, and trying to find ways to either help stop the spread of COVID-19, or directly working with those that are already infected. We have many front line essential workers that are working to help protect us, or those that are working directly with the public as essential services. I think everyone can agree that their sacrifice, regardless of the job they are doing, can never be repayed.
With that said, on April 16th a majority of the City of Brantford councillors, except for four councillors (Antoski, Wall, Carpenter, and Van Tilborg), voted against letting those that work on the front lines from using their personal RVs/Motor Homes/ Camp Trailers as a place to quarrantine from their families. Councillor Antoski put in front of the City of Brantford councillors the need to amend a current by-law that doesn't allowed City of Brantford residents to keep their personal RVs/Motor Homes/ Camp Trailers in their driveways for longer than 72 hours per month. For many people that are working on the front lines, they are looking for ways to self-isolate from their families while they perform their duties. The fear is that these workers will come home and possibly infect their own families. For some families, they have had to go and live with other family members while their partners are saving lives or performing essential services. This would be a burden to any family with or without a pandemic.
The rebuttles from many Councillors came forward as being weak arguements and forgetting who they are displacing as a result of their decision. One councillor had suggested that these front line workers should consider a hotel, as they are offering rooms at a 30% discount. Not meantioning the fact that this would not be paid for by the City of Brantford or front line employers. It was also suggested that having these trailers all over the city will leave many neighbours unable to safely get out of their drive ways and not get into an accident. This would normally be a valid concern, and one of the prodominant reasons why this by-law exist in the first place. But, you have to consider that at this time, we have less traffic because we have all been ordered to shelter in place. This also tackles the Honourable Mayors concern for children biking or walking on the side walks, and being struck by a car. Then again, why would children be biking around if they are supposed to be inside or on their own property in self-quarrentine, and how fast are people pulling out of their drive ways? The reasons for not passing this temporary amendment are as follows in point form:
- the disposal of sewage and grey water from the vehicles (typically the responsibility of the owner anyways. I am sure with some more research, owners could find an in town solution).- residents parking the vehicles on the street (we have many vehicles already parked on our Brantford streets).- taking time away from bylaw enforcement officers if there are complaints (there were two solutions for this, one was to have people register online so as to know where all these personal RVs/Motor Homes/ Camp Trailers are, and be able to scrap complaints right away. The second was to have a sign that could be posted on said personal RVs/Motor Homes/ Camp Trailers so that those that maybe would want to complain would know it is happening for a reason. Plus, at this time who is going to complain about a front line worker?).- access to homes for first-responders during an emergency (how big do these councillors think these personal RVs/Motor Homes/ Camp Trailers are? They are not asking to build a temporary flat).- people using the trailers for purposes other than self-isolation (if that is the case, only the family of the personal RVs/Motor Homes/ Camp Trailers will have access to it, and maybe it would be a good place to get away from family when needed, or if someone does become infected it is readily available).
That being said I am very disappointed that the City of Brantford Mayor Davis, and fellow councillors voted down this amendment. This would have been a welcomed ease of stress for many families that are going through this difficult time. I am petitioning at this time that the City of Brantford and councillors retable this issue and reconsider their votes. Don't be the reason why COVID-19 continues to spread, don't add to the stress and wellbeing of families, and also consider that other areas in the province are making similar amendments (specifically at this time the City of Kingston and the County of Haldimand).
