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HomeMy WebLinkAboutGoderich Signal Star, 2017-02-08, Page 66 Signal Star • Wednesday, February 8, 2017 ceeenm Signal -Star VOL. 26• — ISSUE 10 PUBLISHED WEEKLY -- EST. 1860 Signal Star Publishing 120 Huckins St. Goderich ON N7A 3X8 519-524-2614 www.goderichsignalstar.com POSTMEDIA JOHN BAUMAN Group Manager, Media Sales jbauman@postmedia.com ext. 232 JANET SHRIER Office Manager jashrier@postmedia.com ext. 220 SUSAN MCINTOSH Sales gss.ads@sunmedia.ca ext. 228 TARA CORRAN Sales goderich.ads@sunmedia.ca STACEY SCOTT inside Sales focus.ads@sunmedia.ca ext. 229 RHONDA BUTT Accounting rhbutt@postmedia.com MARY JOHNSTON Accounts Receivable majohnston@postmedia.com CURTIS ARMSTRONG Group Director of Media Sales 519 376-2250 ext. 514301 or 510 364-2001 ext. 531024 Editorial Deadline - Friday 2 p.m. Advertising booking deadline - Friday 1:30 p.m. SUBSCRIPTION RATES ADVANCE: Regular S50.00 includes GST (12 months) Seniors S50.00 includes GST (14 months) US $249.00 plus GST Foreign $416.40 plus GST Single Copy $1.50 indudes GST Publications Mail Agreement No. 40064683 RETURN UNDELIVERABLE CANADIAN ADDRESSES: CIRCULATION DEPARTMENT 120 Huckins St., Goderich ON N7A 3X8 For any non -deliveries or delivery concerns: 519-524-2614 Goderich Signal Star is a member of the National Newsmedia Council, which is an independent ethical organization established to deal with editorial concerns. 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Canada Letters to the editor Congratulations to Trish and Shawn Drennan Dear editor, The Goderich Superior Court Room was filled to capacity when Shawn and Trish Drennan went to Court on January 19 to reverse the negative impact that the 140 Industrial Wind Turbine Project (K2), two transformer stations and several transmission lines will have on their family, home and their Heritage Farm operation. "Ihey put a compelling and sen- sible case together and spoke with passion and the strength of truth behind their words. One comment was that some felt they were wit- nessing an important step in this fight. I heard, from a lawyer, "that a lawyer could not have done a bet- ter job in arguing the case': Most felt the judge really got it, and it • was in no small part because of the time, work, expense and personal sacrifice they both have given to their case to put the facts on the table. Shawn, "presented himself" and told the court that the gov- ernment had created an impossi- ble barrier as he had to prove "serious harm to human health" at an Environmental Review Tri- bunal (ERT), before the turbines had been installed or in opera- tion. (The ERT appeals and Divi- sional Court Hearings occur prior to the IWTs becoming oper- ational.) The Divisional Court also confirmed that the ERTs lack the jurisdiction to determine the validly of section 47.5 of the Environmental Protection Act (EPA) and its constitutionality. In addition, to date, there appears to be no definition for the term "Serious Harm" even after all the ERT's, Judicial Reviews and Divi- sional Court cases here in Ontario. Shawn declared that the many witnesses who have come for- ward to testify that they have been harmed by turbines all over this province have not been given the gravity and respect they deserve for putting their testimony forward. Shawn told the hearing that the government and K2 knew the turbines will harm people even before wind project proposals and permits went ahead. The Canadian Wind Energy Association (CanWEA) lobbied the government to remove Infra and Low Fre- quency Sound regulations and testing when the Green Energy Act was written and this require- ment was subsequently removed. If Judge Raikes had asked, at least half or more of the people in the court room that day could have stood up and said, " I am the evidence of harm from Industrial Wind Tur- bines (IWTs)." Shawn told the hearing that the difference between then, (ERT Hearings prior to operation) and now (since May 29, 2015), is that now the switch has been turned on, and the IWT's are operational and we are being harmed. Judge Raikes challenged K2. and the MOE to tell him what remedy the Drennans have besides more time in court. We all watched them try to answer to no avail, because as was pointed out the only remedy right now is to move away. "Most people do not want to move away to begin K. with but do so to regain health. They are often penalized yet again when they have to lower the sales price to even get the home sold. When Judge Raikes looked at the K2 lawyer, Mr Bredt, the judge tried to paraphrase what the lawyer had just said to him, " So, the Drennans went to the ERT and Divisional Court, have com- plained to MOE, and still have no remedy, so it's tough luck for them?" Bredt replied, "yes." which drew gasps of disbelief from the full gallery of people who attended. When it came time to argue about who should be named as defendants in the Charter Chal- lenge; K2 and /or govt., it was Applause for council's decision to withhold 14/19 funds 2 Dear editor, asked the group to return for fur- ther clarification. Recently Huron County Council Let me applaud this decision hesitated to give 14/19 (aka The and urge Council to remain Canadian Centre for Rural Creativ- cautious. ity) the first instalment of SI00,000 14/19 has no business plan of what is to be a $500,000 grant because they have no income (not a loan). Since 14/19 could other than what governments give offer no business plan, Council them and whatever money they get from donations. They have not demonstrated that they will be profitable. I am sceptical that Stratford, Shaw, and the Banff Centre for the Arts will "partner" with them. The late Blyth Village Clerk, Larry Walsh, used to say that Bullshit -Baffles -Brains. In the interesting to watch the judge see both parties try to throw each other under the bus. Those in attendance are wait- ing to hear Judge Raikes decision and keep their fingers crossed that Shawn and Trish can move forward in finding a remedy for the harm they have experienced. This hearing has implications for property owners and people liv- ing within at least a 10 km radius of a turbine project here in Ontario. Thank you, on behalf of a whole lot of us in Ontario. Sincerely, Dave Hemingway Reporter, The Landowner Magazine with files from Lome Gillis area of BBB, 14/19 has shown itself to be an outstanding practitioner. Yours sincerely, Janet Amos, Artistic Director of The Blyth Festival, 1993-1997 and 1979-84. goderichsignalstar.com LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Signal Star welcomes letters to the editor. Letters must include the writer's full name, address, daytime phone number and signature (for verifica- tion). Anonymous letters will not be published. We reserve the right to edit all editorial submissions including letters for clarification, style and Length. Let- ters must be signed and be in good taste and follow the laws of libel and slander.