Chubby cyclist in the photo is yours truly and was taken at the Fountain Street trail parking lot. The stone marker is dedicated to all those who have contributed to the creation of our wonderful trail system here in Cambridge, Ontario. In the background you can see a portion of the Trans Canada Trail pavillion's red roof. As early as 2000 we had constructed the pavillion and our 11km section of the TCT.

 On Oct. 21, 2007 we celebrated our "bridge day" and officially opened the first ever  pedestrian/cyclist bridge over highway 401. The bridge provide a safe crossing and eradicated a serious gap in the Trans Canada Trail's southern Ontario route. There are many photos of the bridge on my trail website:

The experience of advocating for trails since 1993 has been a significant factor in raising my interest in local politics. So in a way, it all started with trails and trail construction. Strangers would often telephone the house with a trail concern and ask if "that is where the trail guy lives?" And that is the origin of my local label ..... in addition to other labels that cannot be mentioned here..

CYCLING  (link to trails photo album) obviously provides me with much personal pleasure. However, local politics is also of great interest - I believe that citizenship includes being both aware and involved.  So now, we switch to civic politics as experienced and interpreted by an ordinary taxpayer and neighbourhood resident since 1970.  This website is devoted to the fun and games (or the good, the bad and the ugly) of local politics and urban planning. However, there are even times as in the case of the wintering bald eagle when trails also become political.
So, hello and welcome to my personal view of some events in Cambridge, Ontario.

To repeat, you cannot be involved in building trails and bike lanes and escape being forced into the political area. In 1993 I was appointed to the city trails committee and had absolutely no idea that budget requests, zoning issues, NIMBYism, environmental issues, urban development other issues would assume such importance. One example to illustrate my experiences. In 1996, at the request of housing developers, Cambridge Council removed the proposed sidewalks beside Townline Road from the previously approved subdivision site plan. This political decision obviously saved the developers money. However, the residents in the area continue to be deprived of a safe cycling and walking route on the west side of Townline Road. And to make matters worse, there is no record of who voted to support the developers' request ....... recorded votes are rare, and therefore there is precious little historical accountability. Disagree with me? Then, as a private citizen, you try to discover who moved, seconded and supported the motion?

The internet has a wonderful leveling effect in terms of civic involvement. It allows an average citizen such as myself to research and publicize community concerns without the need for significant financial resources or well connected friends. Cambridge has been a wonderful place to live, work, play and raise a family. Being relatively small, Cambridge provides ample opportunity to become involved in local issues .... issues that affect our lives.

Finally, the single most important piece of political reality that I have learned since 1993 is as follows:

"Planning is politics, politics is planning"

you can contact me at bobmcmullen@sympatico.ca                         pages last revised on Nov. 30, 2009