Dear Editor,

Promises. Promises is what I was left to conclude after reading the so-called memorandum of understanding (does anyone understand it?) between Trilogy and Cumberland Council. With tens of millions of dollars of infrastructure work to be done, Trilogy has agreed to pay only $4.32 million of the cost, but -and here's the catch -only after receiving the appropriate building, development and subdivison permits.

Then they promise to build a new BMX park after they put a road through our exisitng park. No really, they promise. A road that will reach six hundred new homes and create an enormous traffic flow through what is now a well utilized public spoce. Homes that will be built on a wetland and in a beautiful second growth area.

Cumberland Village Park has been host to The Big Time Out, Pow Wows, and numerous ongoing recreational events. It is such a delight to be able to offer visitors onsite camping to these events. Why would we want this kind of traffic through this area?

Cumberland is beginning to distinguish itself on both the recreational and cultural front. Trilogy's plans will only detract from them. We don't need another faceless, treeless suburb.

The valley is definitely set for growth and Cumberland has the opportunity to distinguish itself through smart growth, building on what is being created at a grass roots level as determined by the community.

Cumberland has what developers want -land - we should be bargaining from a position of strength-not waiting on a bunch of promises.

Sincerely,

Grant Shilling
Cumberland