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Mother begins work to keep her son's pony
Wednesday October 1 2008
BY MATTHEW STRADER, ENTERPRISE STAFF WRITER
Three-year-old Sam Spiteri, sits with his mom, Antonia, while they discuss the story of their therapeutic pony Emily, and what steps they are taking in order to try and keep her. Enterprise readers are stepping forward with offers of help.
 
Emotions have run high in reaction to a small Caledon boy, whose family may have to give up the pony he uses for therapy.
Three-year-old Sam Spiteri is the focus of an application to the Town of Caledon's committee of adjustment, and dozens of phone calls, letters and visits from concerned citizens of Caledon and even across Canada, after his story was publicized in The Enterprise.
"A lot of people have been calling," said Antonia Spiteri, Sam's mother. "I've gotten calls from Brampton, Mississauga, Chatham -  even British Columbia."
Sam's family maintains a pony, Emily, on their one-acre Wildfield property. Emily is used for therapeutic riding for Sam, who is afflicted with Cerebral Palsy.
A complaint from neighbours has prompted the Town to inform the Spiteri family that they will have to remove the pony from their property, as it is zoned rural-residential.
Since the story broke in last week's Enterprise, Spiteri has received letters of support and offers of help from interested people in and outside of the province.
"The reaction has been incredible."
The issue now will go before a committee of adjustment, the normal process for a conflict like this, according to the Town.
"My understanding is that they (the family) have received a letter from the enforcement division," said Mary Hall, director of planning for the Town of Caledon's planning department. "They (the Spiteris) are on rural-residential property, and therefore they cannot house livestock."
According to Hall, that zoning is correct and clear in its boundaries. The Spiteri's house is within the settlement of Wildfield, a location that would permit accessory items, but not livestock.
"We have issued a letter explaining to her that she is using her property in a way she cannot, and it is up to the land owner to resolve the issue," said Hall.
Once Spiteri completes and submits the application, which as of Tuesday she had not yet done, it is circulated to certain external and internal agencies, such as the Region of Peel or a conservation authority, if necessary.
As well, Hall stated, the applicant will be required to post a sign identifying the application, and neighbours within 60 metres of the property line will be notified.
The Town's planning department will review the application and comments from those concerned, internal and external bodies, and make a recommendation in the form of a report, to the committee.
The committee, on the day of the meeting, will have the power to make a decision on the application before it. They will have a final say, and if any property owner disagrees with the decision, they can appeal to the Ontario Municipal Board.
Much more than the emotions of the interested and involved people will be considered in the application.
As Hall noted, situations like this can set precedents for future disputes.
"The decision in this case would be site-specific to the (Spiteri's) land," said Hall. "But if another situation comes up, someone would be able to use this. And the committee will consider that."
For now, Spiteri will continue to absorb the support she has received, and find ways to illustrate that support to the Town.
She has had numerous Caledon businesses ask if they can post a petition for her, has received a number of offers from local stables who would like to house Emily the pony for her, and is constantly fielding calls and letters from people who would like to meet and lend support to Sam and Emily.
"One thing we are considering is planning some sort of meet and greet," said Spiteri. "We have had so many people ask to meet with us, that we want to plan a day where people can visit our property and meet Sam and Emily themselves, see where we house her, and the situation we're in."
According to Spiteri, the Town informed her that the next available committee date will be November 12.
Until then, she will work on finishing all of her paperwork, and raising the funds needed for the application.
Spiteri said she needs to pay a fee of $800 for the application.
"It's another challenge, and it's unfortunate," said Spiteri. "I knew when Sam was born that we would face challenges in school, in dating, and in the workforce. I didn't expect challenges in my backyard."
The family is collecting letters of support which it hopes to present with its application.
Anyone interested in sharing their thoughts can contact the family through e-mail: antoniaspiteri82@hotmail.com