This week I attended two very different meetings at the Yorkwoods Library.

Monday, I was at the open house and a formal presentation regarding the work being done by the city and the York University Development Corporation to update the York Secondary Plan (a component of the city's Official Plan).

At the open house I was exposed to some of the hostility that surrounding communities have towards York, and towards the Village even being here. Everything from architectural slurs to big business conspiracy theories were evident. Apparently people who were happy with the development where they live wish no more development once they move in. I was also surprised to discover that the surrounding community seems to believe that York has a responsibility to provide services such as daycare and low-cost housing.

A far more positive meeting was held Wednesday night, at the inaugural meeting of the York Village Association. We received more than sufficient membership dues to be able to proceed with the Association's incorporation, which we will now do. The mood was upbeat; while there are certainly a number of issues with which the Association must deal, I think the people who came out were thinking positively, in a spirit of consensus rather than confrontation.

It will indeed be an interesting environment in which we live.','This week I attended two very different meetings at the Yorkwoods Library.

Monday, I was at the open house and a formal presentation regarding the work being done by the city and the York University Development Corporation to update the York Secondary Plan (a component of the city's Official Plan).

At the open house I was exposed to some of the hostility that surrounding communities have towards York, and towards the Village even being here. Everything from architectural slurs to big business conspiracy theories were evident. Apparently people who were happy with the development where they live wish no more development once they move in. I was also surprised to discover that the surrounding community seems to believe that York has a responsibility to provide services such as daycare and low-cost housing.