Monday, November 28, 2011

REVERBERATIONS FROM LAST THURSDAY'S CPAC MEETING WILL CONTINUE

Both Richard Clausi and myself specifically made a point of thanking Jane Glasgo (sp?) of the Ministry of the Environment for her presentation regarding "other sources" in Elmira which are under M.O.E. scrutiny. One of the reasons for this in my case was the deafening silence and non comment, even to date, around the DNAPL found by Conestoga Rovers behind (west) of Varnicolor Chemical. This find is the smoking gun to date and all responsible parties and authorities are making like an ostrich (head in sand) hoping and praying that it will go away.

We were advised Thursday night by CPAC Chair (and Mayor) Todd Cowan that he had a discussion with hydrogeologist Eric Hodgins of the Region of Waterloo, concerning the possibility of Varnicolor contributing to the destruction of the Municipal drinking water aquifer. As I understood Mayor Cowan's response, Eric's response at least in regards to the Lot 91 site at the east end of Oriole Parkway, was that the chemicals on Lot 91 "are different" and he Eric "can't comment". Well that's not too impressive an answer as far as I'm concerned.

The old CPAC, now renamed as the APTE-Chemtura committee are still playing behind the scenes. My personal opinion in regards to the name is that this originally wonderful citizens' group has been brought full circle. APTE- Chemtura are doing their thing once again privately and without any public scrutiny whatsoever. Currently they are discussing a site wide Certificate of Approval (Air) which will be of benefit primarily to Chemtura, possibly the M.O.E.. The chances of there being any benefits whatsoever to the public are in inverse proportion to the lack of public debate and transparency. Apparently Woolwich CAO Dave Brenneman attended a private meeting, without including an invitation to any CPAC members, to discuss this Certificate of Approval. This action went over badly when discovered at CPAC and Mayor Cowan has promised to investigate. Whether an honest mistake or misunderstanding, the Woolwich CAO is neither a member of CPAC nor a representative thereof. This must be made very clear.

Once again Dan Holt was like a dog with a bone , this time in regards to CPAC finances. I congratulate him on his persistence as his multitude of questions did elicit some very interesting information as to who controls the purse strings for CPAC.

Yours truly is planning on being a Delegation at Woolwich Council tomorrow night. CPAC Chair Todd Cowan advised us on Thursday that there would be a report given to Council in regards to CPAC. This is an excellent idea and thus I felt that an additional point of view would be helpful to assist Councils' understanding of the major significance of what is transpiring at CPAC these days. The extremely juvenile and mostly rude comments that the Elmira Advocate has been receiving (and mostly being deleted by moi) over the last few weeks may have a local polluter connection. Be that as it may, I am confident that persons who are only able to insult and totally unable to question, discuss or debate, will not have the courage to show up tomorrow at Council and express themselves intelligently. Neither will they ever show up at a public CPAC meeting to express their criticism. They only have the courage of their annonymity.

7 comments:

  1. "Apparently Woolwich CAO Dave Brenneman attended a private meeting, without including an invitation to any CPAC members, to discuss this Certificate of Approval."

    U N B E L I E V E A B L E !!!!!

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  2. Why is this so unbelieveable? Look at what has happened under this guy's watch - the Victoria Glenn fiasco (nothing like killing a forest to pay for a hockey rink), the spineless position on BioEn and gravel pits, the ongoing CPAC mess, and now...secret negotiations with Uniroyal - what next from this CAO and his administration - a garbage dump and incinerator?

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  3. Something is indeed strange, however I'm holding my fire until I've got more information. In regards to CPAC, I will be speaking to Woolwich Council tomorrow evening at the public Council meeting and giving them my take on how CPAC are doing. A report card if you will.

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  4. Another good post by the Advocate. The Township (elected officials included) seem to be doing a bait and switch on their true commitment to the evironment. REMEMBER it is the $ vote from business that always seems to corrupt good judgement. A good read is the Darwin Economy published by Cornell University. I don't know much about CPAC but from what is available online (and on this site) it seems like a true farce as of late.

    Best....

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  5. Thank you for the book reference (Darwin Economy). Keep in mind there is the old CPAC, now calling themselves the APTE-Chemtura committee; and then there is the new CPAC. The new CPAC have only had six meetings to date versus twenty years of the old. My very close scrutiny of them both (1989-present) makes it a no brainer for me as to which I support.

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  6. Apparently the author of this Website (Al Marshall) has been kicked off both of the committees. Google his name. Lots of bad press about this dude.

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  7. Or feel free to read the front page story on today's (Dec. 1/11) Elmira Independent. Yours truly can take credit for bringing other still contaminated sites in Elmira to account. Or also feel free to read any of the posts on the Elmira Advocate. Polluters, Chemtura and the M.O.E. don't care for me and the feeling is mutual. Honest people without an axe to grind get along with me just fine. Also Tuesday nites Woolwich Council meeting via my delegation made it clear that all is good both with the new CPAC and I would suggest that Mayor Cowan and I are also back on good terms. Heck I just invited him (and CPAC) to a meeting with a Provincial politician set for next week.

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