Balance is in the eye of the beholder
I'm going to try and explain my concept of balance with respect to the TCCA so that hopefully all will know where I'm coming from. Many opposed to the TCCA feel that hoping for balance is either impossible given the 2 polar opposites of the debate or feel that governments of all levels have failed to heed their concerns and have no motivation to take a balanced approach.
I'm a Libra, the scales of justice are my symbol. That IS corny but it is the basis for my beliefs on this subject.
Soon, we will be in to the busy summer months on the waterfront. At the same time, Porter is planning to add aircraft and flights to their base at the TCCA. I do not have any hard data to back me up so I am not going to be asking rhetorical questions - if anyone knows the answers, please speak up.
-Has attendance at Centre Island park dropped in correlation to the increased traffic at the TCCA?
-Has attendance at Ontario Place or Harbourfront dropped in response to increased air traffic?
-Have any new condominium projects been scrapped in response to the airport?
-Are waterfront condo vacancy rates rising in response to residents leaving the area as traffic increases.
-Are residents leaving Wards island as the area is becoming increasingly affected by air traffic?
-Is the distillery district suffering from the increased air traffic & noise?
I don't have the answers to these questions and perhaps the real effects on these areas won't be known for a while. In my OPINION, I haven't seen evidence that the quality of life in these areas has (or will) degrade to such an extent that the waterfront will lose it's charm and allure. I acknowledge and expect that Porter airlines at full capacity may increase the impact on some of these areas but nobody has a crystal ball to tell us exactly how these effects will reveal themselves. Keeping in mind of course, that the TPA has a limit on the number of flights that Porter may operate per day. It doesn't matter if Porter buys 50 planes, they are only permitted (approx) 220 flights per day.
This roughly works out to one flight arriving OR departing every 4.5 minutes.
Some people will hear arrivals while others will hear departures. Some of you might have to hear them all. Also remember that Pearson residents like me deal with approximately 1100 flights per day +JETS+24hrs
The fact that - IN MY OPINION - life goes on in these neighborhoods and attractions is an indication that many people are able to BALANCE the existence of the airport with their daily lives. No, it isn't ideal BUT, there are probably bigger issues in most peoples lives than the TCCA such as the economy, crime & healthcare.
I see balance in:
the flight limit imposed by the TRI agreement,
in people living, working and relaxing in the vicinity of the airport,
in people contacting the TPA to demand accountability and improvements to airport operations + filing noise complaints.
Both the TCCA and Life continue -It's NOT PERFECT but HONESTLY, WHAT IS?
Joe
I'm a Libra, the scales of justice are my symbol. That IS corny but it is the basis for my beliefs on this subject.
Soon, we will be in to the busy summer months on the waterfront. At the same time, Porter is planning to add aircraft and flights to their base at the TCCA. I do not have any hard data to back me up so I am not going to be asking rhetorical questions - if anyone knows the answers, please speak up.
-Has attendance at Centre Island park dropped in correlation to the increased traffic at the TCCA?
-Has attendance at Ontario Place or Harbourfront dropped in response to increased air traffic?
-Have any new condominium projects been scrapped in response to the airport?
-Are waterfront condo vacancy rates rising in response to residents leaving the area as traffic increases.
-Are residents leaving Wards island as the area is becoming increasingly affected by air traffic?
-Is the distillery district suffering from the increased air traffic & noise?
I don't have the answers to these questions and perhaps the real effects on these areas won't be known for a while. In my OPINION, I haven't seen evidence that the quality of life in these areas has (or will) degrade to such an extent that the waterfront will lose it's charm and allure. I acknowledge and expect that Porter airlines at full capacity may increase the impact on some of these areas but nobody has a crystal ball to tell us exactly how these effects will reveal themselves. Keeping in mind of course, that the TPA has a limit on the number of flights that Porter may operate per day. It doesn't matter if Porter buys 50 planes, they are only permitted (approx) 220 flights per day.
This roughly works out to one flight arriving OR departing every 4.5 minutes.
Some people will hear arrivals while others will hear departures. Some of you might have to hear them all. Also remember that Pearson residents like me deal with approximately 1100 flights per day +JETS+24hrs
The fact that - IN MY OPINION - life goes on in these neighborhoods and attractions is an indication that many people are able to BALANCE the existence of the airport with their daily lives. No, it isn't ideal BUT, there are probably bigger issues in most peoples lives than the TCCA such as the economy, crime & healthcare.
I see balance in:
the flight limit imposed by the TRI agreement,
in people living, working and relaxing in the vicinity of the airport,
in people contacting the TPA to demand accountability and improvements to airport operations + filing noise complaints.
Both the TCCA and Life continue -It's NOT PERFECT but HONESTLY, WHAT IS?
Joe
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