Jumbo Slope A Perennial Problem
It’s a perennial problem according to Alderman Gord Campbell but that’s far from what one St. Thomas resident would call what’s growing on the hill under St. Thomas’ Jumbo monument. A written request from resident Gail McNaughton to beautify the slope was brought forward to council Monday but defeated by one vote. McNaughton wrote that the hill is a sore spot as you enter the city. She adds that she had brought the issue forward about eight – 10 years ago where there was to be a $5,000 study completed, however she had never learned the results of that study. Alderman Campbell explains there’s more to beautification issues with this particular slope.
Mayor Heather Jackson agreed with Campbell, however Alderman Mark Cosens requested the the issue be forwarded to the parks and recreation department to see if there is a cost effective solution. In a vote on the issue Mayor Jackson, Alderman Gord Campbell, Tom Johnson and Jeff Kohler voted no to passing the issue onto parks and recreation. Alderman Mark Cosens, Dave Warden and Sam Yusef voted in favor.
From St. Thomas Today Daily News Headlines
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HERE WE GO AGAIN
by Ian McCallum, Reporter for The St. Thomas Times Journal
A quick perusal of Monday’s council agenda uncovers a letter from St. Thomas poet/artist Gail McNaughton pushing her vision for the hillside below the Jumbo statue.
It’s not the first time she has bent the ear of council with her suggestions for improving the vista as you enter the city from the west end.
In the past, she has been advised by engineering staff the steep slope at that location would require a geotechnical study (at considerable expense to ratepayers) to ensure Jumbo doesn’t go visiting his pachyderm pals in Lynhurst.
Her vision this time around includes a set of tracks and a train going up the hill or perhaps a waterfall.
Both would be a comfort for sure to motorists gingerly passing by below on Talbot as the train climbs above them and water tumbles down.
How ironic this letter appears on the same agenda as a report outlining the added costs associated with stabilizing the Sunset Drive slope.
A valid and necessary undertaking with a price tag in the $1.8 million range.
Surely council has better things to do than re-visiting Jumbo hill.