HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2012-02-16, Page 24PAGE 24. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2012.Cranbrook-area residents concerned about line
Residents along McNabb Line,
which runs straight through
Cranbrook, are not pleased about a
wind turbine transmission line
running through their community.
Dennis Mueller appeared on
behalf of the residents at the Feb. 7
Huron East Council meeting,
presenting a petition featuring over
40 signatures of people opposed to
the transmission line running
through Cranbrook and along
McNabb Line.
Mueller said that while he is not a
member of any anti-turbine group,
he and his neighbours do have
concerns about the safety of a
transmission line running so close to
the homes of so many in the
community.
The actual wind turbines were not
Mueller’s concern, he told council, it
was simply the transmission line that
would be affecting him. He states
that it’s obvious that the “bottom
line” is all wind energy companies
are concerned about, saying that a
simple relocation of the line would
affect far fewer people, but would
cost slightly more.
Mueller suggested that if the line
was run up Hensall Road and then
McDonald Line, it would affect just
over 20 people, whereas the line
running along its current course
would affect over 70 people.
Mueller said that the transmission
line runs through a large portion of
Huron East affecting a lot of area
residents and the issue has to be
addressed by Huron East Council.
He said he was asking council for
support ahead of the Association of
Municipalities of Ontario (AMO)
conference that is set to take placelater this month in Toronto. Muellersaid that “meaningful discussion” on
the topic would have to take place.
Mueller said that warnings have
been coming in from neighbouring
communities about the potential
harm that can be caused by wind
turbines and their transmission lines
and it would only be right for council
to heed those warnings for the
municipality.
He said he had no motivation to
move on the issue other than his
family.
“My wife’s holding onto her,”
Mueller said of his infant daughter in
the gallery, “that’s my motivation.”
Councillor Larry McGrath advised
Mueller to have a stray voltage
reading done, an appointment
Mueller says he has already set up.
McGrath said that if a reading has
been taken before the transmission
line is installed, a second reading
after the installation would indicate
if there is stray voltage in the air and
if it would pose a hazard to his
family or any of the other families
along McNabb Line.
Mueller said it was initially
Huron-Bruce MP Ben Lobb who
made the recommendation to get a
reading done.
Councillor Bill Siemon, however,
lamented about the province’s Green
Energy Act and how it has removed
any decision-making capabilities
from the municipal branch of the
government.
“This really puts us out of the
playing field,” Siemon said. “But
we’re going to look out for your
interests.”
Siemon cited the fund being
negotiated by Huron East that would
put away money in the event that
adverse health effects result fromwind turbines or the transmissionline. That fund, however, has yet to
be confirmed.
While council listened to
Mueller’s suggestions, there was
very little that could be done at the
local level to help alleviate hisconcerns.Deputy-Mayor Joe Steffler (who
was chairing the meeting due to a
conflict of interest with wind
turbines declared by Mayor Bernie
MacLellan) said that council is
keeping the interests of themunicipality’s residents at theforefront and doing its best to hear
them all.
“The hands of the municipality are
tied when it comes to the law,”
Steffler said.
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Growing for a cause
Back in November (Movember) students at Central Huron Secondary School raised $2,270
dollars for the Movember campaign for Prostate Cancer Canada. Because of the achievement,
London Movember Chair Lincoln McCardle came to Clinton for the day to accept the cheque
in front of the school’s new redesigned logo from members of the student council. Back row,
from left: Holly Becker, Joey Lawson, teacher Shane Taylor, Alysha Hills, Matt Chalmers,
Brandy Gagnier, Sam Henderson and principal Laurie Langstaff. Front row, from left: vice-
principal Jana Bayer-Smith, Ondrea DeJong, Lexi Cook, Claire McFadzean, Stephanie
Forman, McCardle and Abbey Alexander. (Shawn Loughlin photo)
By Shawn LoughlinThe Citizen