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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2012-06-14, Page 10PAGE 10. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, JUNE 14, 2012. Absence of unions stalls negotiations Pint-sized patriotism Blyth Lions Club members John and Mary Lou Stewart (back) made a visit to Blyth Public School last week and presented Mrs. Roe’s Grade 1/2 class with Canadian flags and a Lions Canada Pride Certificate. The Stewarts were at the school to make a presentation about the Lions Dog Guide Program. (Denny Scott photo) Dozens opposeturbines at ACW Council meeting The absence of two major teachers’ unions at the provincial bargaining table doesn’t make negotiations with the Avon Maitland District School Board (AMDSB) impossible, but it does make them difficult. AMDSB director of education Ted Doherty explained after the board’s June 5 meeting that voluntary “discussion tables” between the province and the major teachers’ unions and support staff unions hammer out salary agreements across the province. Doherty said that leaves the board to negotiate locally over things like working conditions and professional development. But with the province holding firm on wage freezes and changes in the way sick days are handled, among other issues, two unions – the Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (ETFO) and the Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation (OSSTF) walked away from the bargaining table in April and haven’t returned. Doherty called the province’s financial targets “very ambitious”, noting that they leave both school boards and unions in difficult situations. He said the AMDSB could go ahead and negotiate on its own before the province and the unions come to a final deal, but it’s difficult to negotiate when so much of the remaining financial picture isn’t clear. “We respect the fact that the province holds a lot of the cards when it comes to finances,” he said. Several support staff unions and Catholic school unions are still in talks with the province. All collective agreements expire August 31 of this year. Anita Frayne, flanked by approximately two dozen supporters, had some requests to make of Ashfield-Colborne- Wawanosh (ACW) Township Council during their June 5 meeting regarding the municipality, the provincial government, wind turbines and the Green Energy Act. Frayne, who has spoke to ACW Council several times at various meetings regarding wind turbines in the township, has concerns with the K2 Wind Power Project which, according to her research, could bring “142 1.8 to 2.3 megawatt turbines, a substation, a transformer station and the associated ancillary equipment, systems and technologies including supporting technical equipment, distribution lines and access roads” into the township according to the current project plan. “Here in ACW we are facing the possibility of one of the largest wind development projects in this province,” she said. “If it goes ahead, it has the capacity to utterly transform where we live.” Frayne asked if anyone understands how that much equipment and energy generation can affect a community since projects of that size don’t exist anywhere yet. A reduced number of councillors, due to conflicts of interest with wind projects, listened while Frayne both thanked council for its previous work to try and outlined the challenges faced by a municipal government working within the confines of the Green Energy Act and requested that they make changes in the way they address wind turbines while going forward. Frayne pointed out that even Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty had realized that some townships did not want wind energy, stating that in a recent interview he said that development companies could find amicable municipalities if others weren’t interested or opposed to turbines. In total she made four requests on behalf of the group of individuals opposed to the turbines. While councillors admitted that their hands are tied on how effectively they could fulfill two of the requests, those being to walk away from current negotiations regarding the K2 Wind Power Project and a community better contract and to demand that Capital Power allow reluctant landowners out of their leases (Councillor Barry Millian said council would make the latter a “gentleman’s request” but reminded the group that councillors have no say over such matters), council did agree to consider working with like-minded municipalities to convince the provincial government that the Green Energy Act is not meeting the needs and wants of Ontarians, especially in rural areas. Frayne pointed out that 80 municipal councils have voted to create a bylaw, motion or resolution “in an effort to address public concerns.” She also pointed out that experts such as engineers, scientists and economic professionals are denouncing the act. Along with those experts, Ontario’s Auditor General, the Ontario Federation of Agriculture and the Christian Farmers Federation of Ontario have all voiced concerns over current renewable energy practices. The fourth request the group made was to hold a referendum to allow residents of Ashfield-Colborne- Wawanosh Township to anonymously report how they truly feel about wind turbines so they don’t have to worry about their opinion causing undue consequences. Chief Administrative Officer Mark Becker explained that he had researched the referendum option and he found the term doesn’t exist Pictures of Home The Citizen is currently planning its 2012 Commemorative Brussels Homecoming Issue and we are looking for pictures of Brussels to highlight its history. Drop your pictures off at either of our offices and include your name on the back of the photo and a brief summary. Photos will be returned to the Brussels office at a later date. The Citizen 541 Turnberry St., Brussels 519-887-9114 413 Queen St., Blyth 519-523-4792 Deadline for submission is July 13th. By Rita Marshall Special to The Citizen By Denny Scott The Citizen Continued on page 18