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Taxpayers ... a source of funding?

Taxpayers ... a source of funding? Why is it that the City of Whitehorse feels it is its responsibility to find money to fund private hobbyist associations? And by "find money," I mean using the taxpayers of Whitehorse as a source of funding. This is exact

Why is it that the City of Whitehorse feels it is its responsibility to find money to fund private hobbyist associations? And by “find money,” I mean using the taxpayers of Whitehorse as a source of funding.

This is exactly the sort of thing that will happen if the Yukon Horse and Riders’ Association is permitted to lease the KMA speedway via a new access to be built just for them, through Cowley Creek residential neighbourhood at the end of Sockeye place’s quiet cul-de-sac.

Have city or Yukon government officials actually walked our neighborhood trails where they propose to destroy our designated trail system, greenspace and wildlife corridor to infill with lots to fund a road access for YHRA? I think not. If they did, they would see how ridiculous of an idea this all is.

For one, the proposed area for road access and lots is not nearly large enough to accommodate a two-way road suitable for heavy diesel one-ton truck and trailers hauling up to five horses, plus lots of two acres or more. The city has said up to four or five lots would pay for this new road access for YHRA via Cowley Creek, and that the road would cost up to $700,000.

They would be lucky if they could get three decent-sized lots in there, therefore not nearly covering the costs to build the new road and that is where we as taxpayers will end up footing the bill.

The mere thought of our tax dollars increasing further to help fund a group where the majority are not taxpayers themselves (most residing outside city limits) makes me question who are these influential players amongst the YHRA?

As a born and raised Yukoner, I strongly feel that we need to preserve what few trail systems and little greenspace we have left, and not destroy them for the sake of more housing development to simply fund the YHRA. The new housing in this city is not selling at a speed in which we should be planning for more. We have hit our mining boom and this town is not lacking properties for sale, that is certain.

Private associations should be kept as that: private.

Catherine Ford-Lammers

Whitehorse