I find is laughable when a resident complains in the same quest column that she gets flooded, even outlining the dates, and then complains when she doesn't? Whining for the sake of whining.

Let's clarify a couple things about this problem:

1. She didn't do her homework and bought house where she did. It's called due diligence and although some balme lies with the city on sewer issues, the fact remains, as a homebuyer, it's your responsibility to ensure you know what you're buying.

2. You can't buy in a wetland, then complain about issues relating to that wetland and flooding.

3. Wetlands can treat stormwater runoff, although not advisable. Size of the wetland and the amount of runoff are key to whether the wetland is treating or merely becoming contaminated and its function degraded.

4. Population loss and an eroding economic tax base are leaving that city (and many other inner ring suburbs) strapped for cash and unable to maintain it's infrastructure. However, new development isn't all bad. It can often lead to private investment in infrastructure improvements and upgrades to pump stations and force mains, sewer lines, receivers, and other related infrastructure. Also, if there is capacity for growth (there is not a needed for increases in employees, vehicles, schools, teachers, etc), a new residential development can provide tax revenue to allow for upgrades (if the city is wise enough to earmark that money for improvements).

5. I thought geologists had at least a working knowledge of soil chatacteristics? Didn't take any hydrogeology courses?

I agree that a lot of the issues with the flooding and Briarwood aren't perfect, but having an ax to grind when you have a share of the blame is hypocritical. So go ahead and stand in the way of everything as revenge.