HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1984-11-28, Page 3NEWS AND FEATURES
THE HURON EXPOSITOR, NOVEMBER 28, 1984 — A3
Landfilling is a bandaid solution
TO THE EDITOR
To the Editor,
Everyone's talking garbage(
it's a subject that is, if you'll pardon the
pun --out of site, out of mind. As long as
the Man from Glad" could supply us with
a bag strong enough to get our soggy,
smelly, messy, household garbage to the
curb once a week, we had nothing to worry
about.;ft disappeared from bur sight and,
therefore, from our otherwise occupied
minds,
'Jntil.,.horror of horrors someone is
thinking about potting all that garbage
right in our very backyards! "It's
ridiculous!" "It's preposterops!"' "Tut,,
tut. How could they even ,consider it?"
"Something must be done!" Now the
subject of garbage, waste disposal, and
• sanitary .1 andfill sites, are the focus of our
attention. Frankly it's about time.
Each one of us produces tons of waste
each year. We aren't really consumers as
we commonly 'refer to ourselves — we are
users and what we don't use we toss away.
Just think of the last time you'°brought
home.the groceries and after putting them
away threw out a pile of packaging before
the product was even used.
Producing garbage is nothing new. The
cavemen tossed their unused bones,
peelings, and other wastes, 'about their
cave until the quantity and odor of the
rotting refuse forced them to find a new
home, 1n the middle ages people simply
fired the pails of slop and other waste out
the windows and onto the streets below.
We've progressed to the point where we
don't move, the garbage does. But, many
of our technological advances have enabled
us to produce things that don't decompose
as rapidly as the waste produced in the
past, As a result, pur garbage tends to pile
up. For many of us, the fact that,•iI does pile
up is not as important as where it piles up.
Today, most municipalities operate
sanitary landfill sites. They were formerly
called dumps, just as a domestic engineer
used to be a housewife. On paper there is
supposed to be a difference between a
dump and a sanitary landfill -- but a rose is
a rose is a rose.
These disposal sites provide communi-
ties with a central location to pile garbage,
thus avoiding the problemof individuals
tossing garbage into pits, over embank-
ments, or into roadside ditches. Garbage is
picked up on a specified time schedule and
anyone not wishing to use this service may
t'''''''ransport their garbage to the site at
specified times.
A sanitary landfill site is a site selected
with certain attributes in mind. The site
should be on land that has passed strict
guidelines regarding suitable sod type to
,insure that any harmful products of
decomposition will not find their way into
our water supply. Depth to bedrock, depth
to groundwater, soil composition, and
more, are considered. The land should not
be pf prime agricultural value and it should
be convenient to get to, but out of sight of
the -general public, After all who wants to
look at piles of rotting refuse? Although it
shouldn't be seen, it seems people want it
close enough to get to quickly since in
these busy times when no one wants to
take time out for garbage.
Location is always the most controversial
part of garbage disposal. "Sure we need a
new dump, but not close to my place."
Don't expect me to drive 20 miles in the
winter just to get rid of my garbage." No
one wants ,this very necessary service
anywhere near them. Why? •
It's quite simple really. As good as a
"sanitary Landfill site" may look on paper,
the reality is a different thing. Once the
site is .2hosen and goes into operation the
negative aspects become quite apparent.
The value of adjacent property decreases
not only because of the visual and aesthetic
reasons, but also because people aren't too
sure about water around a landfill area,
and the future of the site even after it is
shut down,
Engineers and consultants are prepared,
on paper. to lessen these negatives. To
combat excessive movement of litter there
should be frequent covering with soil. This
will also help reduce rodent activity which
is a fact of life around dumps. To keep the
garbage from piling up too fast, rolling and
crushing can be used to reduce the volume.
To cut down on traffic to the site and the
chance of accidental burning. the site
would be open on a restricted schedule and
supervised. It sounds neat and tidy but it's
not.
First of all the big buck does a lot of
talking and since it is cheaper to control
rodents and reduce bulk by burning than
by hauling soil and crushing, "controlled
burning" creeps into this nice, neat
picture. So the engineers and consultants
take this into account and say, burning will
be supervised; burning will be done onl,yy
under certain wind conditions: only c
waste (wood and paper) will be burned.
Notice how the regulations are piling up
almost as fast as the garbage.
To be effective, regulations require
enforcement and this is not an easy task.
It's not likely that a person unfamiliar with
hours of operation at the dump will take
their garbage home with them when they
arrive to find the gate locked. The
Reconsider dump site
nown to have several springs and, indeed,
e are informed of sand lenses which cap
c y fluid similarly to tile.
• Ko4014eF N' ll 4illiig denjenstrated the
speed at which water, can move throu_,,
this ground when they test•pumped at the
Seaforth well located south of the railway
tracks and west of the end of Elizabeth
Street. They dropped our own Harpurhey
water supply by at (east 25 feet, and some
wells even lower.
It is our greatest fear that leachate will
move down through this ground toward
Seaforth, and intersect proven intercon•
netted water sources. Pollution by lagoons
and such may be able to be treated with
chlorine, However, this is not the case with
certain toxic mixtures which could have
their origins from the interaction of various
common domestic and/or commercial
material which often find their way into a
dump site.
We have immediate concerns: such
conditions as prevailing winds, the seem-
ingly inevitability -of contaminates entering
into the water table and into drinking water
(surface and ground water recharges the
subterranean water). the unknown conse•
quences of the interrelalioeship with the
lagoons. all of which will have future
consequences that none of us can
comprehend at this time. Also, there are
the usual problems in dump areas of
smoke, rodents, littering and traffic.
We (rust that you will give this site your
honest and realistic consideration, realiz•
ing that this aretkis not at all appropriate in
view of its situation and close proximity to
residential areas Sincerely.
Gar and Carol Baker.
Dear Editor:
This includes parts of a letter which we
forwarded to Tuckersmith council some
Re: Proposed dumpsite.inlagoon . .
area, Tuckersmith township
We wish to advise you of our strong
opposition to having a "garbage dump" in
this location. We have already voiced our
opposition verbally in Aug. and early Sept;
to Reeve Bob Bell, Deputy•Reeve Bill
Brown and to councillors John Brownridge
and Bob Broadfoot.
As you are well aware, a site can surely
be secured away from the built•up area of
Harpurhey. Seaforth, Egmondville and
surrounding farm houses. Indeed, this site
is complttely hemmed in bv a rigitb angle
formed by Highway 8 and County Road 12
with Seaforth as the focal point. enabling
the prevailing south westerly winds to
force hazardous environmental and health
conditions directly into highly populated
areas.
To date, the smell, bugs and flies from
the lagoons have illustrated that worse is to
come - since these lagoons appear to be
used beyond their designated capacity ...
and now you consider a ''dump". A landfill
site here will be similar to the last • easily
distinguished by the odors and black
smoke common to dumps, especially on
those occasions whenarbage starts to pile
because of weather garbage
economics.
The present'site of the lagoons and that
of the proposed garbage dump k on the
east•facing slope of a long hill called the
Seaforth moraine which is made up of
glacial till, a mixture including sand as well
as clay. This west to east slope area is
alternative? Toss it over the fence. Hide
the. evidence? Light a match to it. Clean
garbage? Not necessarily...you can tell by
the black smoke.
Thatis not controlled burning and if you
think regulating people •has its problems
how about rpother nature? Wafting for
proper wind conditions means the garbage
will often pile up causing odors and
allowin4 Taper and light weight items to
travel in the wind farther afield than the
landfill's boundaries. The smoke and ashes
created by any burning are also carried far
and wide .creating health hazards in
populated areas.
Eventually, in spite of burning, crushing
rolling, and anything else, the garbage has
piled up and once again a landfill site has
reached its capacity. Once again we are
compelled to search for another suitable
site to toss our refuse. The cycle continues.
My proposal to all of you is to consider
the idea that a landfill site, though the least
expensive, monetarily, may not be the best
answer over all. Alternative methods of
waste control and disposal should be
Will garbage be dumped in backyard ?
Re: "Abandon proposed site" in last
week's paper by Paul Carroll.
Dear Sir:
1 can sympathize with Paul if the landfill
site is managed as he visualizes, however 1
have a problem with his implied solution:
put it somewhere else.
1f it is deemed by the municipalities
involved that a landfill site is the way to get
rid of garbage then the proposed site is the
best possible place provided it passes
further testing. The planning, construction
and management of this site will be
supervised bv at least 2000 vitally concern•
ed people. The alternative is to put it out in
the country where only a few farmers will be
around to complain. who can be easily
ignored.
Has democracy got a new meaning now:
the garbage of the majority will be dumped
in the backyard of the minority?
What it comes down to, is whether we are
talking about "No Dump in proximity to
me" or "No Dump Period".
To be continued, Respectfully
Wm. J. Scott
Don't want dump as neighbour
To Seaforth Council and who else it may
concern:
How could any town consider thinking,
let alone go on their own and put a dump so
close to town.
Why not let the citizens have a voice in
these things? We never know what goes on
in town only thro' the grape vine.
What about the children which 1 have on
both sides? Will they be healthy and happy
in a fog of smoke and miserable odour?
I've lived in Seaforth close to 50 years and
KIDS /PROM PAGE TWO
school, if kids don't own an ugly cabbage
patch doll, they won't be invited to birthday
parties of "friends" who own such dolls, I
ust hope that's not happeningin Seaforth.
Parents are to blame forgiving in to the
demands of their children. a people who
created the doll should be blamed for
marketing technistues used. And the kids
find the people we trust and vote for let us
down.
if 1 have to live with a town dump for a
neighbor. 1')I no longer vote for anyone.
1 hope someone can help the concerned
people.
This is my home where 1 pay taxes etc. so
have reason to voice my opinion. Thanks for
a space to voice our thoughts and hope all
the citizens do the same.
Sincerely
Hilda Austin
should be blamed for doing what they do.
But if 1 think back to what happened when i
was in school, who can blame the kids of
today? I regret the same thing happens today
as 20 years ago. Maybe we should try and
teach our kids a little compassion. It' could
save a lot of hurt and anputsh.
considered. The idea of incineratioq is not
new. European countries and many major
cities have elected to pursue this route,
With technological advances' and . new
regulations incinerators can be purchased
that will not emit harmful products into our
air. Garbage would be reduced in volume
considerably cutting the amount of land
needed for waste disposal, •
We could aid in the recycling of wastes
and in the incineration program as well as
reduce costs by sorting garbage at its
source — gar home or business. Pilot
projects in nearby cities have already
shown that using the method of separating
houg'ehold garbage into papers, metals,
glass,and compostable groups aids in the
waste control and disposal process. Sure it
won't be as convenient. It will take up
some of our precious time. But it won't be
as inconvenient as having the garbage pile
op around us.
It will cost money. Incinerators and
recycling projects do. But looking for a
landfill site every20 years and maintaining
a site properly costs money too. These
•
costs are escalating along with the
population and amount of garbage.
Perhaps it's time to look for a final
solution to a sore that we keep covering
with bigger and bigger bandaids. Perhaps
it's time to look at values other than dollar
signs...values like clean air, clean water,
an attractive countryside, and a healthy
and educated attitude to solid waste
management.
If a little community like ours can rally
together and conte up with something as
wonderful as our Community Centres,
surely we can find a sensible solution to the
problem of satisfactory waste manage-
ment. Let's not use the Scarlet O'Hara
approach and think about it tomorrow,
Think about it nowy,.
There is a public meeting at Seaforth
District High School on Thursday evening
at 8 p.m. to discuss the proposed sanitary
landfill site west of Seaforth near the
lagoons. If you have questions and
opinions on this subject and the ideas I've
mentioned please attend.
C.A. Doig
Seaforth
lX
DUMP IS FULL—The present Seaforth dump
is scheduled to close next year. Garbage Is
now being landfilled above ground and is
covered with dirt, Seaforth, McKillop and
Tuckersmith are now.tn,tbe process of looking
fora new landfill elle, ww • (Wasslnkphoto
Vs Ilk
r�.
Site should never have been considered
Mayor Alf Ross and Council
Town of Seaforth
(Editor's note: The following is an open
letter to Seaforth town council).
Your Worship and Members of Council:
We are opposed to the proposed dump
site in Harpurhey, for the following
reasons.
1. It would be too close to residential
homes in Harpurhey, Egmondville, Sea -
forth, and to Seaforth Public School, Since it
would be there 25 years or more, the welfare
of all our citizens; especially our children, is
involved.
2. The winds are prevailing westerlies
which will carry toxic fumes, smoke, soot
and other pollutants directly over the whole
town of Seaforth, Harpurhey and northern
Egmondville, •
3. These same air pollutants would cause
health problems for children with asthma
and other respiratory problems and aller-
gies. Seaforth• Public School has 361
students who will be affected directly.
Senior citizens with respiratory problems.
such as etttphysema, will also suffer. The
health of all our citizens would be affected.
4. Wells in the area will become
polluted. the town well included; because
the slope of the land is towards Seaforth.
The dump will be there a long time,
eventually our water is bound to be
affected.
5. Paper and debris will blow right
towards homes and property in the whole
area. it is a well-known fact that all the
paper does not get covered with dirt.
6. Dumps attract rats, skunks, dogs and
other animals.
7, The additional truck traffic in our
residential areas of Seaforth and especially
in Harpurhey. directly affects the safety of
our children who walk or ride bikes to
Seaforth Public School. Them arc no
sidewalks for the children in Harpurhey.
8. The whole ecology of our community
and the surrounding farmland, would
change for the worse, if this dump site is
approved.
We cannot understand how this site was
ever considered in the first place.
Respectfully.
Mr. and Mrs. B. Britton
Seaforth
Eckert chosen Snow Queen in 1959
NOVEMBER 28,1884
At a meeting held in the Mechanics
Institute rooms on Tuesday evening last it
was resolved' to establish what is now
popularly known as a "Mock Parliament".
Mr, M.Y. McLean was appointed Premier
and leader of the government and John
McMillan leader of Her Majesty's Opposi-
tion.
Peter MacGregor of Brucefield has a pair of
fine heavy draught Canadian bred fillies. One
of them a two year old, took first prize at he
Chicago State Fait, this fall, and the other, a
yearling. was highly recommended. The two
year old also took first prize at the Western
Fair in London last fall.
At the last meeting of the McKillop council
at McNamara's Hotel in Leadbury, it was
moved, seconded and carried that the clerk
be instructed to notify Mr. Wm. Alexander,
owner of lot 31, concession 10 and Dr.
Coleman. owner of lot 10 to obey the award
made by the Township engineer on a ditch
running through their property. And if not
completed forthwith as directed, the engin-
eer will have the work completed as the law
directs.
NOVEMBER 26,1909
The first sleigh for this season appeared on
the streets on Friday morning last. it
belonged to Mr. P. Kelly of Tuckersmith. It
was pretty tough scratching and by night the
snow had mostly disappeared.
At a special meeting of town council on
Monday evening, the ,natter of the drain from
George McGontgle's to the culvert on North
Main Street as arranged with Mr. T Dickson
was left in the hands of the street committee.
It will be gratifying to the people of
Seaforth generally, that the estimates pre-
sented in the House of Commons the other
day contain a vote of $15,000 towards the new
post office in Seafotth.
'NOVEMBER 30,1934
John Boshart and• Sons who recently
purchased the Avon Chests factory have
commenced refitting the building and mak-
ing minor alterations. 1t is expected actual
,production will be well underway in the.
.course of a few days. The firm will
manufacture bookcases, desks and bedroom
furniture.
1
School children of Seaforth and district are
enjoying a holiday. Thursday in honor of the
wedding of His Royal Highness the Duke of
Kent and Princess Marina of Greece,
A lengthy argument ensued over a charge
of reckless driving laid against Ross Cardiff of
Morris township, as a result of an accident on
Nov. 9 when the car driven by young Cardiff
crashed with a car driven by Sheriff C.G.
Middleton. A counter charge of reckless
driving against Mr. Middleton was preferred
by Cardiff. Both charges were dismissed.
NOVEMBER 1959
Cathie Eckert was selected snow queen at
Seaforth District High School, with Marjorie
Hoggart and Dorothy Boyes her attendants.
They will be in the Santa Claus parade on
Saturday.
Mr. and Mrs. John K. Cornish of
Brucefield who are celebrating their 40th
,wedding anniversary. were pleasantly sur•
prised on Saturday evening by a number of
cousins who met at the home of Mr. and Mrs.
Harvey Taylor and presented them with a
gift.
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
If you're organizing a non-profit event of Interest to other Seaforth area residents.
phone the recreation office at 527-0882 or the Expositor at 527-0240 or mail the
information to Community Calendar, The Huron Expositor, Box 69, Seaforth, Ontario
NOK 1WO well In advance of the scheduled date.
Wednesday, November 28
1.3 p.m. • Parents and Tots Skating at
Arena
1:30.4:30 p.m. - Shuffleboard at Arena
8 p.m. • Competitive Curling at Curling
Club
8 p.m. - Men's Euchre at Legion
8:45 p.m. - Winthrop vs Commercial
9:35 p.m. • Chiselhurst vs COAT"
10:25p.m.- Perth vsParr Line
11:15 p.m. 'Jr.'Farmers vs Queens
Thursday,' November 29
7&9 p.m. - Mixed Curling at Curling Club
7:30 p.m. -Grads vs Chiseihurst
8:20 p.m. - Winthrop vs Easy Riders®ildaYr
9:10 p.m. • Bendix vs Egmondville
10 p.m. • Kinkora vs Parr Line
10:50 p,m. - A's vs Slabtown
11:40 p.m. • CCAT vs B's
Friday, November 30
8 .m. -Mixed Curling at Curtin Club
p g g
8:30 p.m, - Thedford vs Centenaires
Space for the Community Calendar
Is donated by The Huron Expositor. .
Saturday, December 1 '
8:30 a.m. • Bruins vs North Stars
9:25 a.m. - Kings vs Oilers
10:30 a.m. • Jets vs Penguins
11:30 a.m. • Leafs vs flames
1:30-3 p.m. • Public Skating
•6:30 p.m. - St. Marys vs Bantams
Sunday December -2
2 p.m.'- Clinton vs Atoms •
3:15 p.rh, • Clinton vs Pee Wees
4:50 p.m. - Stratford N3 vs Tweens
7 p.m. - Flyers vs Penguins
8:30 p.m. • Hawks vs Bruins '
„_,��„
December 3
4 p.m. • Jr. Curling at Curling Club
7&9 p.m. • Men's Curling at Curling Club
Tuesday, December
I m. - Ladies' Curling at Curling Club
6:30 p.m. - Mitchell vs Bantams
8:15 p.m. • Mitchell vs Midgets
•