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Huron Expositor, 2009-07-08, Page 5Opinion The Huron Fitpoosibr` ••1) 1 ` Public is urged to submit concerns about, St. Columban wind energyprojects and about provincial Green Energy To the Editor, As of late; the topic of wind energy has raised a number of important issues and generated considerable local concern. The impact of com- mercial wind turbine projects on health, land/property values and the environment is strongly disput- ed. We employ and entrust the gov- ernment to reconcile conflicting evidence and make decisions which are informed by independent and credible research. However, government efforts to ensure public health and safety can be significantly frustrated by the agendas of parties who do not share this priority. This is exemplified in the proposed approval regulations for renewable energy projects (in- cluding wind turbines). If you wish to protect and uphold your health, safety and property rights, you can focus on two main concerns. First, the provincial gov- ernment encourages you to provide input on the proposed approval reg- ulations in writing or on-line until July 24. _ r Secondly, and of more local and immediate impact, is the St. Colum - ban 1& 2 Wind Energy Projects. Its proponent, CASA Engineering & Construction ("CASA"), released their Environmental Screening Report ("ESR") on June 23 which must comply with the requirements set by the Ministry of the Environ- ment. This document consists of, but is, not limited to, a description of the project, the specific wind turbine technology, a construction sched- ule, environmental baseline re- ports (bat/bird,poise, soil, amphib- ian), the adverse environmental impacts, and a description of the alleged public consultation. CASA's ESR admits that their project will "cause public concerns related to public health and safety" but supports the view that wind farms exert "negligible adverse health impacts." CASA alleges that "installation of such facilities (wind farms) have no material adverse effect on property values" ignoring evidence in Shel- burne, Ripley etc. which attest to the contrary. Suggested. mitigation measures for environmental impacts are im- practical at best, ie: relocation of milksnakes from their habitat. CASA boasts "public consultation efforts at different levels began at the outset of the Project in 2005." Conversely, a number of land own- ers confirm that they did not re- ceive CASA's notices of commence- ment distributed in April, 2007 and were not provided with copies of in- formation contained in placards at the May 5, 2009 open house. Act regulations The ESR is available for public evaluation and comment for 30 days at the Seaforth Library, the Munici- pality of Huron -East and on-line at www. stcolumbanwindenergyproj- ects . com<http ://www.stcolumban- windenergyprojects.com/>. Please submit your concerns, questions and comments regard- ing the. St. Columban Wind Energy Projects to ensure our concerns are protected. Comments should be ad- dressed to CASA ( Jose Menendez or Vanessa Heeney) or to the Minis- try of the Environment re: Director of the EAAB. Clare Murray Dublin, Ontario 1.11 the 1. ear 1,12:911e The Queen of England and Prince Philip make a visit to the region in 1959 July 4, 1884 John Dickson of McKillop has sold his splendid team of heavydraught horses, which took first prize at all the shows last fall to Messrs. Win- ters and Donovan for the sum of $520. They are to be shipped to the States. The millwrights are now engaged in placing the new machinery in 01- gilvie's Mill in Seaforth. Strawberries are not nearly as plentiful this year as they were last. Most of the farmers in this vi- cinity are now busy with their hay harvest. The crop is not heavy, but will be a fair average. Andrew Calder has sold his Ayr- shire bull calf to Isaac Miller Jr. of McKillop for $30. It is just four weeks old. July 2, 1909 The ladies aid• of Grace Church, Staffa are busily engaged in prepar- ing an excellent program for their annual strawberry social, which is to be held in the Hibbert Town Hall on Tuesday evening. Robert McCartney, who with his son George returned from Moose Jaw district to their home on the Mill Road, Tuckersmith about two weeks ago, has disposed of his in- terests in the west. He fed a full section which he disposed of for $35 per acre. The residence of Robert Gibson on the 5th concession of McKillop, to- gether with its entire contents was destroyed by fire about dusk on Fri- day evening last. The young men of Chiselhurst with their best girls, picnicked at the Bend on Saturday last and re- port a very enjoyable time. July 6, 1934 The annual picnic of the Huron Old Boys Association ofTronto was held in Exhibition Park on Satur- day last and was well attended by Huron's sons and daughters. Mayor A.D. Sutherland attended the pic- nic and Centennial celebrations. On Monday he was the guest of the Centennial committee at a banquet given to the Mayors and Clerks of Ontario towns and cities. Sometime during the early hours of Thursday morning unknown per- sons tore down a number of lines of electric lights which had been strung about the lawn of St. James Church for the carnvial on Wednes- day evening. A large portion of the coloured bulbs were either smashed or stolen, the damage totalling about $15. Seaforth lost to Kippen in Hu- ron league football on Wednesday night. Seaforth thus takes its place at the bottom of the league. July 3,1959 Construction of three bridges in McKillop Township was completed in record time last week. Super- vised by road superintendent W.J. Manley, the work included the 40 foot McKay bridge between conces- sions 10 and 11, the 46 foot Duffy bridge at lot 10 concession 10, and the 46 foot Gertch bridge between concessions 15 and 16. Repeal of the Canada Temperance Act in Huron County became a pos- sibility this week as petitions began circulating throughout the county, seeking a referendum on the ques- tion. The Queen visits our area this week. With Prince Philip she will spend some hours in Stratford, thus providing an opportunity for many in the nearby centres to pay person- al tribute to her by their presence during her visit. July 4, 1984 Sales of Wintario tickets almost doubled at most Seaforth and area stores last week when Wintario came to town. The show was tele- vised live on Global from the Sea - forth and District Community Cen- tres last Thursday. The village of Brussels and Mor- ris and Grey Tbwnships worked together to pull off one of the best celebratiilhs the three communities have held. And it was all for the bi- centennial .of Ontario. The holiday weekend was jammed packed with events including a pa- rade, inter -denominational church service, talent show and a play for the thousands of visitors who at- tended. Canada celebrations in Seaforth were successful although they suf- fered a bit from celebrations in sur- rounding areas such as Brussels and Hensall, says recreation direc- tor, Bryan Peter. "Events going on in Hensall and Brussels hurt our event; they take away a few 100 people who might have stayed here," he says. Events all day Sunday went well with participation increasing as the day progressed. Approximately 150 people attended the talent show while 500 were on hand to watch the fireworks display.