Good morning all,

I want to start by thanking everyone who spoke at last night's (& this morning's) Planning Committee meeting. The presentations were uniformly well done.

For those who weren't there, it was a marathon that ended inconclusively in a 3-3 vote. (Ab C., Susan E. & Sandy W. voted for protecting woodlands, Roger Caranci, Tom Gosnell. & Rob Alder voted against the staff recommendation that London's (few, scattered, precious, diminishing, etc) woodlands receive more protection.

Planning Committee Members =
a.. Mayor Anne Marie DeCicco-Best (Ex-officio) - not there
b.. Councillor Roger Caranci (Chair) - Against staff recommendation
c.. Deputy Mayor Tom Gosnell - Against
d.. Councillor Rob Alder - Against
e.. Councillor Judy Bryant - For
f.. Councillor Ab Chahbar - For
g.. Councillor Sandy White - For

Joni B & Susan E were there and spoke in favour of the recommendation but could not vote (not being members,

Details of the proposal may be found at: http://council.london.ca/Planning%20Committee%20Agendas/2006-09-11%20Agenda/1Item%2018.pdf

This is a complex issue but luckily it can be reduced into an idea that even the most obdurate councillor should be able to understand, to whit: If you believe that London (The Forest City) ought to do more to save woodlands, vote for the staff recommendation. If you don't believe that London ought to do more to protect woodlands, vote against it.

The matter will now go to council next Monday with no recommendation attached to it. Planning Committee chair Roger C. has the option of moving his own recommendation.

IT IS CRUCIAL THAT THE PUBLIC ATTEND THIS MEETING AND SHOW THEIR SUPPORT FOR THIS PROPOSAL.

Please pass this along through your respective networks and plan on attending next Monday's meeting at city hall. We will try to arrange for this issue to be dealt with at a fixed time so that the public can plan their time accordingly. Once we know when this is, we will pass the info along.

Thank you.
George Sinclair