Protecting Our Farmland & Demanding Transparency in Welland
If you have 12 minutes, I strongly encourage you to watch this discussion from a recent City Council meeting regarding 432 and 476 Ridge Road in rural Cooks Mills.
Council discussed declaring this prime A1 agriculturally designated land as "surplus" so it can be sold for industrial development to an unnamed party.
As a lifelong resident who grew up in Cooks Mills, protecting our agricultural roots and local farmland isn't just a policy point for me—it’s central to who we are as a community. While economic growth is vital for Welland, it should never come at the expense of our agricultural heritage or through deals hidden behind unnamed buyers and rumors.
When the city considers selling public land—especially land designated for agriculture—residents deserve complete clarity:•Who is purchasing the property?•What impact will this have on surrounding rural areas, environment, and infrastructure?•Why are we converting agricultural assets without comprehensive public consultation first?
Even though this site sits in rural Cooks Mills, decisions about municipal land sales, zoning changes, and green space impact every corner of Welland—including Ward 1. Running for City Council, my commitment is to ensure open governance, community consultation, and smart growth that respects all of Welland.
See the discussion/agenda here: https://www.welland.ca/council/AgendasMinutes.asp
What are your thoughts on converting local agricultural land for industrial use? I want to hear from you in the comments.