MIDDLEBROOK ROAD PIT APPROVED

In yesterday's Elmira Independent (pg. 11) we have the story by the same name as the title above. Woolwich Councillors have finally approved this pit although some comprimises were necessary. The vertical zoning clause dealing with the depth of extraction is in whereas the sunset clause dealing with a maximum time limit for the operation of the pit is out. Nevertheless it seems very likely that this pit and others will be in front of the Ontario Municipal Board (O.M.B.) even though the Region of Waterloo are on side with the Municipality. The real problem lies with the Province and their Ministry of Natural Resources (M.N.R.). So many decades of support for developers and the gravel industry, including overly friendly legislation from the Province have given us an undemocratic process aided and abetted by this same biased legislation.