HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2010-11-04, Page 28Continued from page 1MOE for funding, even the MaitlandValley Conservation Authority couldbe in a position of conflict.“It seems like we’re dealing with aperson holding two puppets,” she
said. “[The puppeteer] is making the
left hand talk to the right hand, and
the facts might be different if there
was [a third party analysis].”
The group asked for several things
before the decision be made,
including more time being dedicated
to the open public consultation
regarding the landfill expansion,
why the landfill site is being built on
an area that, according to maps they
obtained from the Maitland Valley
Conservation Authoirty (MVCA), is
a “significant area of [aquifer]
recharge” and a highly “vulnerable
aquifer”, and that council “continue
to engage with [citizens] in an open
and transparent manner about this
issue” and “work with [the group] to
create learning opportunities.”
The maps have been a fallback of
the group, as their main concern is
the “highly vulnerable aquifer,” and
“significant area off (aquifer)
recharge” outlined on them. The
group received the maps through the
MVCA, but, according to Phil
Beard, general manager of the
conservation authority, while the
documents came to them via the
MVCA, they weren’t responsible for
them.
“The maps are from the Ausable-
Bayfield Maitland Valley Water
Source Protection group,” Beard
said. “They are a separate project
and body [from the MVCA].”
Beard explained that the maps are
regional and not site-specific.
“That’s the difference between the
maps [and the information presented
to ACW],” he said. “This area mayhave these types of condition, butspecific site testing is up to theMinistry of the Environment (MOE)to decide whether it is or not.”Brian Luinstra, the hydrogeologist
who made the maps, confirmed this,
stating that they were to be used as a
regional tool.
“The maps were meant to be used
at a regional scale,” he said. “They
always have to be looked at as that
view.”
Luinstra stated that the maps are a
cautionary guide.
“The intention is that, when things
happen or are changing we want
people to take that extra care and
that more detailed look at it,” he
said. “And I’m going to assume that
is what [R. J. Burnside’s engineering
staff] has done.”
“We produce a good mapping
product, provided it’s used for its
intended use,” he said.
The decision for the landfill site
must be made by the site-specific
study, Luinstra stated.
“[A site specific study] takes more
things into consideration [than our
regional maps],” he said.
Beard also stated that, while there
have been comments at past council
meetings stating that the MVCA was
quiet because the MOE’s mandate
trumped its own, the reason the
MVCA has not been involved in this
developments is because it isn’t the
group’s place.
“This isn’t our responsibility,” he
said. “Our legislated responsibility
is... flood plains and river valleys.”
Beard stated that the MOE deals
with ground water, like the aquifers
that concerned citizens brought up,
while the MVCA deals mainly with
surface water.
“We regulate 15 metres on eitherside of a water course that doesn’thave a flood plain, and flood plainsand water-ways.”“Part of that property, for example,is in the flood plain, if they tried to
expand in those areas, we’d have a
say in it,” he said. “Our job in this is
to protect that area and protect the
property to the west. A water course
runs through it.”
Another concern that Snyder
presented was that the group felt
previous tests had been an
inappropriate use of tax dollars.
The group had requested that test
wells be drilled on the eastern side of
the landfill to be sure the water is
travelling where it should.
Snyder asked why the engineers
had spent the money and drilled the
hole if they already knew that the
water would be clean.
Several councillors did not
appreciate the tone that Snyder’s
presentation took at this point, with
outgoing councillor Carl Sloetjes
being one of the most outspoken.
“You say we’re committing some
conspiracy, and now we’re the fools
for wasting tax dollars?” Sloetjes
asked angrily. “Everyone sitting here
is making decisions not to have
Toronto garbage here, but to get the
site ready for our children and our
grandchildren in a safe way.”
Councillor Barry Millian
explained that, while the decision
had been already made, it wasn’t
done with a blatant disregard to her
request.
“We didn’t [pass this without
considering your documents],” he
said. “We’ve had your report in our
hands since last week. You have to
remember that, if there is ever any
new evidence, things can change and
things can be amended.”Millian went on to state that, ifSnyder’s definition of conflict ofinterest was applied, councilseverywhere would be unable tofunction.
“All groups get paid for the work
they do, it isn’t dependent on giving
us the information we want,” he
said. “There is no conspiracy
happening here.”
Deputy Reeve Neil Rintoul had
the last word, stating that he wasinsulted by the accusations beingtossed around.“I sat up reading the [informationin Burnside’s report and the letterfrom the concerned citizens] so I can
make an informed decision,” he said.
“Then you refer to me as a puppet?
I’ve never been so damned insulted
in my life. We drilled wells to prove
that we should go ahead with this.
I’m disgusted.”
Boo!
The kids were in costume and having a great time on Friday
night as the Auburn Playground Committee held a
children’s Halloween dance, a fundraiser at the Auburn
Hall. Enjoying some popcorn was this two-year-old witch
(for the night) Emma Carter. (Vicky Bremner photo)
PAGE 28. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2010.Angry resident refers to councillors as ‘puppets’
1
0
0
t
h
A
n
n
i
v
e
r
s
a
r
y
All welcome!
Elliott Nixon Insurance Brokers Inc. invites you to join
in the celebration of both the past and present as they
mark their 100th anniversary of the family business!
Events:
1:00 – 5:00pm – Meet & Greet, refreshments, & face painting
5:00 – 6:30pm – Cake-cutting, snacks & presentations
6:30 – Blyth United Church Choir performance
7:00 – BBA Lighting of the Lights
Yo
u
’
r
e
I
n
v
i
t
e
d
…
Saturday, November 13th, 2010
Blyth Memorial Hall
Come enjoy, as we show our thanks to the community for
all of your support.
page 28_page 28 10-11-02 1:04 PM Page 1