by Richard Gleeson
Northern News Services

NNSL (DEC 06/96) - An emotional plea to pave School Draw Avenue failed to sway council recently during debate on the capital budget.

The plea came from councillor Ruth Spence, who resides on the street. Spence asked council to add the $600,000 project to the list of capital projects in the 1997-98 budget.

The idea received little support from other councillors, who recommended the engineering advice to allow the road to settle through two freeze-and-thaw cycles before paving.

Spence refused to be deterred, pointing out that dust and the lowering of the road has made life on the street all but unbearable.

"It's a terrible place to live -- you haven't any idea," she said, her voice breaking with emotion. "There are children there with asthma asking parents `When will the road be paved?' We need that road paved now."

Spence also went to the unusual extent of recruiting support from the public gallery, inviting one of her neighbors, businessman Tony Chang, to address council on the issue.

Chang suggested council ask engineers to re-examine the road to see if early paving was an option.

But Neil Jamieson, director of public works, told council a second opinion had already been sought and it confirmed the original advice.

"We pay taxes and we haven't been treated fairly," said Spence. "How many times have we paved Franklin?"

Alderman Jo MacQuarrie said she suggested council investigate alternative surfaces to be used to keep dust on the street down.

When it came time to vote on the amendment, however, the only support Spence got came from Vi Beck.

Right after the vote, Spence turned back to Chang and, in a tone that contrasted sharply with the emotion of her appeal, offered: "Well, we tried!"