HomeMy WebLinkAboutLucknow Sentinel, 2009-05-06, Page 6Group feels let down by local MPP
From page 2
"We all received the
report on .the first sound
study done in May 2008
nine months later in
February 2009, even
though it was available
months prior. In the first
sound report four turbines
within a one and a quarter
mile of three homes did
NOT meet the MOE poor
standards of 40 dBA. That
is 10.5 per cent of the
whole field," said Sandy
MacLeod.
With health problems
being the major concern
for the group, many of
them have consulted their
family doctors over the
past 18 months. As a
group they have entered
the OHIP system 61
times. One victim's OHIP
costs were tallied by a
local hospital's finance
department at $5000.
Some have been told to
stay away from their
homes and the area giving
them the adverse health
problems. "My { doctor
told me. I may need to
avoid the environment as
much as possible," said
Helen Forster.
'"We have taken time -
year -old Keiara to the
emergency room 10 times
with problems and Dr.
McMurtry said my daugh-
ter shouldn't be there (at
their home in the Ripley
Wmd Project). Melissa
as well because . she is
pregnant," said. Kent
Wylds. "My daughter has
had earaches with scream-
uron
ing at night and not being
active at all. Since we've
been in Kincardine she's
been a totally different
kid."
Dr. Lynn sent a letter on
March .27 to Prime
Minister Stephen Harper
indicating that local resi-
dents and municipalities
have expressed health
concerns related to the
increased use of wind tur-
bines in Grey and Bruce
Counties.
The Health Board feels
there. is insufficient
research :: and evidence.
The communication
however endorsed a reso-
lution prepared by the
Corporation of the County
of Prince Edward regard
ing renewable, energy,
which urges all levels of
the. Canadian government
to ; be responsible for pub-
lic health, energy creation . .
and energy management,
At this time, no represen-
tatives from Grey Bruce
Public Health Unit have
been out to the Ripley
*Wind Project site, to inter-
view the victims.
One of the biggest lis -
appointments for the
group ,has ` (been
with the Ontario Liberal
Government representa-
tives.
"Youmight hmk that if
a group of 11 victims
reached out to the Pier
of the province, the high-
est elected Liberal official,
in a faxed letter, not once,
but, four times that that
would be enough to get
intelligent, unbiased, sci-
entists to investigate and
help. But you would be
disappointed. That is what
I tried and my Premier or
his Ministers didn't and
don't care about rural
Ontario taxpayers being
harmed by wind projects,"
said Sandy MacLeod.
It took from November
2008 to February 2009
with the help of Huron
Kinloss clerk Mary Rose
Walden to obtain a meet-
ing with Huron -Bruce
MPP Carol Mitchell.
"We hada 30 minute
meeting with Mitchell on
Feb. 13. She stated that
she knew all about us and
the project. When asked if
she would like to live in
Glen's home to experi-
ence the harm,' she fired
back and asked if • we
would : rather 'live near :a
pig bam or grain mill,''
said John MacLeod.
Members of this group
also addressed the
Standing Committee on
the General Government
into Bill 150 the Green
Energy Act. buring that
presentation they told.
Mitchell,
"Point 3: We formally,
request that our M.P.P.,
Carol Mitchell resign
from the standing com-
mittee and devote 100 per
cent of her time to resoly-
nig the harm to health of
families . in Kingsbridge,
Ripley and now Tiverton
wind projects. Ms.
Mitchell needs to spend
her time focusing on her
constituents who hired her
to do a job for them,
"resolve their health prob-
lems": Some families
have been suffering for
more than three years."
Statement from Victims
of Wind The Ripley
Group:
"Return Our Health and
Homes and Prevent harm
to Ontario Citizens pres-
entation. At the same
meeting Glen Wylds
inquired if two months
was a reasonable length of
time for a constituent to
wait before a response
from Mitchell,"
On April 30, at a Liberal
function in Lucknow,
Mitchell . said she was
aware of the group's con-
cerns and has had talks
with' Suncor about doing.
further testing to find a
solution to the problem.
Mitchell has not been out
to the any of the victims'
homes.
When wind: developers
meet : with the MOE, the
Health unit or government
officials there
are no vice-
din
ictiin representatives at the
table as part of the solu-
tion process. There are
manyother .victims in
Ontario. Recently a
Victim : of - Wald support
group has been created at
vow2help@gmail.com.
This was set up by Wind
Concerns Ontario, a group
of regular Ontario citizens
• concerned with protecting
lural: Ontario for future
generations (www.wind-
cone 'o.org).
nited Way just short of funding goal
It is with regret that the Huron
United Way Board : of Directors
announces that we, as a corxnmuni
ty, fell short of meeting our goal
of raising $275,000 for Campaign
2008.
Despite the hard work of staff
and volunteers, the campaign was
run in the midst of one of the most
challenging economic times in
recent memory, and has come in at
just over $205,000.
"We recognize that so many
families are struggling through
these difficult times and we appre-
ciate all, of the support the com-
munity has given us throughout
our campaign," said Board Chair
Jerry McDonnell.
Recognizing that the demand on
our member agencies have also
increased during these difficult
times, the allocations committee is
currently meeting to determine
how to appropriately allocate the
funds United Way has raised and
will be announced by :the end of
April
At this time the Board ;- of
Directors also regrets to announce
the departure of Executive
Director Michelle Gellatly, who
has taken a new position at the
London Ski Club.
Gellatly joined United Way in
the spring of 2008 and quickly
took on the role of raising the pro-
file of the organization4q the com-
munity and took on th challeng-
ing task of raising funds through-
out this economic downturn.
"We appreciate all of Michelle's
hard work in the face of such eco-
nomic pressures, and we wish her
all of the best in her future
endeavours," said McDonnell. •
The board will be taking its time
in looking at its options for the
future betterment of Huron United
Way, and hopes to have plans in
Lucknow Sentinel, Wednesday, May 6, 2009 - Page 5
Photo by Gare Reid
The Senior A Ripley Wolves held their end of the year banquet
on Friday,April 17, where they handed out their hardware.The
most fportsmaniike award went to Curtis Schmalz. Head coach
High Nil hol presented the award.
Rating:
place by thi. end of this coming
summer. In the meantime, staff are
still available at the United Way's
Goderich office, and can be
reached at 519-524-7900.
For more information, please
-contact McDonnell at 519-523-
9715, Huron United Way Box
211, 35 East St., Suite 207,
Goderich, ON 519.524-7900.
See us on the Web
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