|
The Working
Groups commenced in 1992-93; by 1994, each had accomplished
a significant number of activities. The Clean Waterways Group
had worked its way along more than 700 feet of the banks of
a local creek, negotiating agreements with local landowners
that allowed group members to carry out repairs, plant trees
and install fencing. The Group had also started to develop
a comprehensive watershed rehabilitation plan for the township.
The Woolwich Trails Group had completed an inventory of trails
in the township, participated in planning bicycle paths with
Waterloo Region, hosted an Annual Hike Day, initiated an Adopt-a-Road
program, and was actively selling its booklet at stores throughout
the township. The Sustainable Communities Group completed
a submission to the Region's Official Policy Plan Review,
and the Well Water Quality Group had organized and run two
seminars on well water quality with township residents.
By the
spring of 1994, however, the initial enthusiasm for the healthy
communities project was abating after three years of sustained
voluntary effort. A number of community volunteers were starting
to feel tired. Some people felt that the project was taking
on too much, while others felt it was not doing enough. With
a range of activities underway, the Coordinating Committee
felt it was ready to turn its attention to the development
of a set of Guiding Principles.
The development
of a set of Guiding Principles provided an opportunity for
participants to articulate the ideas and values that had attracted
them to the Healthy Communities project in the first place.
In addition, the Guiding Principles would serve as a set of
criteria for decision makers in order to ensure that the health
impact of policies was not overlooked.
A series
of consultations and interviews with community leaders were
conducted to guide the development of the Principles. By the
spring of 1995, the project had developed a list of nine Principles.
These principles were then presented to Woolwich Township
Council, which approved them in principle in November, 1995.
The principles
were written as a group of questions to be used in making
decisions. Proposed plans, policies and decisions are viewed
as 'healthy' if they are likely to:
 build
a feeling of community
give 'voice
and choice'
support farming
support local
business
treat waste
as a resource (i.e., support re-use, reduction, recycling,
replacing and replenishment)
improve community
amenities
improve the
quality of the environment
provide for
people's basic needs
honour the past
and safeguard the future
|
