TAG ARE IN A DIFFICULT POSITION

The facts are clear, the direction should be, but the how to do it likely is problematic. Last Friday I suggested that TAG needed to tell Lanxess publicly that "They are corporate bullies and know it alls, unswayed by truth and facts." I then added "And TAG need to tell them that, publicly!" I stand by that action as being due and overdue while at the same time trying to appreciate being in TAG's position, which I am not. As far as due and overdue let me say that this spring will be the SEVEN YEAR ANNIVERSARY (2014-2021) of my personal discovery and subsequent public announcement of the presence of a major Drain (Stroh-SDDB) running parallel, for approximately 175 metres, to the Lanxess/Stroh property line. This Drain (SDDB) is a bare ten metres from the property line and situated on the Stroh property. It was and is absolutely contemptible and disgraceful for the Ontario Ministry of Environment (MOE/MECP), Uniroyal/Crompton/Chemtura, RMOW, Woolwich Township, GRCA and anyone else to have kept quiet about this significant land feature so close and so relevant to Uniroyal contamination migration for so long. That was incredibly self-serving for both the MOE/MECP and Uniroyal plus sucessors, and all their partners in pollution and fellow travellors to have kept their mouths shut at literally hundreds of public meetings (UPAC, CPAC etc.) regarding it. Kudos to Dr. Dan Holt and Vivienne Delaney for attending that evening in May 2014 and witnessing the presence of the Stroh Drain. ................................................................................................................. The hiding and continued minimizing of the Stroh Drain, Ditch & Berm (SDDB) is but one of a multitude of environmental scams, shams and charades undertaken by Uniroyal/Crompton/Chemtura and now Lanxess over the decades. I listed some but not all in yesterday's post here in the Advocate. I also in last Friday's post here mentioned how TAG's inexperience by having so many intentional new members cost them the strong leadership and experience of Dr. Richard Jackson. Unfortunately that inexperience, not so much technically, but in dealing with professional manipulaters and deceivers continues today. There are three new members with frankly some excellent credentials. If new members were introduced slowly it wouldn't be a problem. But for recently appointed members to be expected to dig in their heels and confront the polluter for his intransgience, intentional obtuseness and outright deception is asking a lot. Perhaps more experienced members such as Sebastian, Linda and David Hofbauer are up for the challenge. Sebastian certainly has been front and centre in this battle. David unfortunately is heavily involved with his job and career which is unfortunate as he is very knowledgable and I believe honest. These problems are all intentional, courtesy of Chemtura/Lanxess and Woolwich Township (S. Shantz specifically). Or as Richard Clausi put it last Friday "The charade continues, and sadly, Sandy Shantz's dissolution of an effective, inquisitive and combative CPAC several years ago has now yielded its' rotted fruit." Having watched and listened carefully for the last five plus years I believe that most of the TAG members are intelligent and honest. Unfortunately not all. ......................................................................................................................... TAG has other problems including not being allowed to hear first hand from other longterm citizen stakeholders. Sandy Shantz's indebtedness for campaign support and advice from Pat McLean (former councillor & mayoralty candidate) was repaid to her (and Chemtura) by denying the public the right to either ask questions or make comments at public RAC and TAG meetings. For this Sandy will eventually pay the price. Also TAG's Chair is not a local citizen (unlike Dr. Richard Jackson) but a professional hydrogeologist appointed and paid by Woolwich Township, likely with assistance from Lanxess. Other potential conflicts of interest have been slimmed down but not eliminated with the resignation of Pat McLean. Woolwich Township were made aware of the seriousness of these conflicts of interest in 2017 by numerous written witness statements by local citizens given to them. Woolwich did nothing as they already knew that the process was as polluted as the ground and surface water in Elmira. ......................................................................................................... All the guilty, lying parties want to do is to delay, delay and delay. They have succeeded admirably. Eventually all the original stakeholders and forced to be activists will be gone and trust me the lying and deception however will never be gone.