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Huron Expositor, 2014-10-08, Page 3Wednesday, October 8,2014 • Huron Expositor 3 Judge reserves decision on wind farms Jane Sims and Dave Flaherty WI Agency A London judge reserved her decision in the request by Huron County residents to have current wind farm con- struction halted until they have their day in court. Superior Court Justice Lynne Leitch will give her decision "as soon as possible" after hearing arguments regarding the St. Columban and K2 wind farm projects, two of the biggest in Ontario. Those living close to the pro- jects asked Leitch to stay - or set aside - the renewable energy agreements issued in July that would build 159 wind turbines near Seaforth and outside of Goderich. Shawn Drennan, a resident of Ashfield-Colborne- Wawanosh (ACW), lives in the area of the K2 wind farm pro- ject, which would see the con- struction of 140 wind turbines. Drennan said he wasn't sur- prised Leitch did not make a decision the first day in court "I anticipated it, it's a com- plicated matter," he said. The stay, if granted, would halt construction until a consti- tutional argument is made before the divisional court starting on Nov. 18. The group is arguing there are potential health risks attached to the turbines because of low frequency sound. Seaforth to hold annual Thanksgiving food drive INlidneySoudi Huron Expositor The Seaforth food bank is once again hoping Huron East residents will lend a hand in helping to feed those less fortunate. The annual Thanksgiving food drive will take place in the Seaforth Foodland parking lot from Oct 9 to 11. According to food bank coop dinator Herb McGowan, Food - land staff have been busy put- ting together bags of the much needed items. The bags are available throughout the store at a cost of $5.99 and $9.99 in hopes folks will take the chance to help the less fortunate in the community. On Oct 8, the food bank will be hosting an open house to say thank you to their many sup- porters and volunteers. "We also want to thank the Trillium Foundation for their kind and generous grant," said McGowan. "It enabled us to put in a walldn freezer which was very key and essential to our operations' He went on the explain the food bank used to work with seven hand-me-down chest freezers, which were highly inefficient, as well as a huge hyrdo drain on the municipality. McGowan added one of the points of the Trillium applica- tion was the fact the organiza- tion was going to be able to decrease their carbon footprint "We would end up throwing things out because we couldn't get to them," he said. "Now we have a great rotation going, nothing sits on the shelf forever and people are getting what they need'.' The food bank has received a lot of help over the year from both residents and trades peo- ple, something that hasn't gone unnoticed. "We want to thank everyone who has assisted in helping us reach our goal;' said McGowan. "It's really been so instrumental because as I'm sure everyone knows, it's hard to do so much on shoestringbudget:" The open house will take place Oct 8 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. In Drennan's view, there should be federal and provin- cial health studies on the effects of wind turbines. The group is represented by Julian Falconer, a well-known constitutional lawyer, while lawyers for the multi- national companies behind the projects say there is no sci- entific proof the turbines affect human health. Drennan is currently run- ning for reeve of ACW, and sites his dealings with the 61e, �I� R PART! PLEA E RE Y L ATTENTION ADVERTISERS! DEADLINES Our Weekly Deadlines are as follows: ADVERTISING & EDITORIAL Friday @ 2:00 pm *on Expositor 8 Main St., Seaforth PH: 519-527-0240 www.seaforthhuronexpositor.com OFFICE HOURS: Mon. - Fri. 9am - 5pm CLOSED TUESDAYS municipality on the K2 wind farm projects as part of his inspiration for joining the race. "We (concerned citizens) have asked for the township to call themselves an unwilling host and they refused. It's one of the catalysts (for him seeking the position of ACW reeve)," he said. According to Drennan, local governments have the power to decide what developments proceed in their municipalities. To him, this poses the ques- tion of why they were not given that same power for wind turbines. Drennan added he was also left unsatisfied with what he called "the lack of ability of the public to speak" on the wind farm. As far as the court cases go, Drennan said they are in it for the long haul. "I fully expect this to go to the Supreme Court of Canada' seaforthhuronex s ositor.com 1 J % THE HURON EXPOSITOR'S 2014 Summer Sports Edition WILL SOON BE PUBLISHED & 1 WE NEED YOUR TEAM PHOTO:F. ;. PLEASE BRING IN YOUR TEAM PICTURES Ti THE HURON EXPOSITOF AT iN T. SEAFORTH OR MAU_ TO LIS AT P.O. ay.( Gg , EArO R I -I ON NOK IWO PLEASE MAKE SIJRE YOU IDENTIFY ALL PARTICI mrs1 FOR MORE !MORMON CONTACT Whitney South 519-521-0240 All photos must he received hy 5:00pm October 10,2014 EilidSitor 'YOUR COMMUNITY NE1.!5PAPER" M/iN ST. 0 SEA Fo 519-527-024C) i IN I OM 1 II