Friday, April 13, 2012
BIOGAS APPEAL IN THE NEWS
Both local papers here in Woolwich Township are carrying stories regarding appeals of the Ministry of the Environment's decision to go ahead with the Martin's Lane location in Elmira. The Woolwich Observer aren't on line yet so I don't have a link to their story (pg.3) titled "Citizens' group to challenge biogas". The Elmira Independent have both a story and a Letter to the editor. The story is "Township decides against biogas appeal" and the Letter to the editor is titled "Biogas plant should be appealed". For any skeptics who wonder if indeed Woolwich Council and the Mayor were led down the garden path by the Ontario M.O.E. let me offer this observation. I've been dealing with the M.O.E. for twenty-three years and their strong suit consistently has been obfuscation, deception, backroom deals and psuedo consultation. Their behaviour did not remotely surprise me.
The best and only way to deal with professional @#$%^&*# is by public humiliation of them. Citizens need to confront them about their alternative realities and their credibilty gaps. They need to be publicly confronted when they talk about consultation with citizen groups while at the same time issuing Amended Control Orders and sweetheart deals privately. Councillor Mark Bauman also raises the issue of the M.O.E. lack of enforcement of environmental laws and standards. Historically the M.O.E. have been long on talk and short on action in Elmira in regards to horrible odour issues over the years.
Here are some important dates for citizens to mark on their calendars regarding the appeal to the Environmental Review Tribunal (ERT). May 8/12 is the preliminary hearing. June 1/12 is a status update teleconference. June 5/12 is the start of the formal hearing. Believe it or not citizens are supposed to have their initial disclosure of evidence prepared by April 24/12. Citizens I'm telling you here and now that justice is not to be found or expected at the ERT . If it happens count yourself lucky. If it doesn't happen, don't be surprised or shocked.
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SHAME ON WOOLWICH TOWNSHIP!HIDE BEHIND B-S LEGAL ADVICE AND LET THE RESIDENTS CLEAN UP THE MESS. I INVITE TODD COWAN, DAVE BRENNEMAN, AND DAN KENNALY TO BUY A HOUSE ON HIGH STREET AND LIVE WITH THE SMELL, TRUCKS, ODOUR, FLIES AND $HIT WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO DEAL WITH. WANT TO START PAYING MY TAXES FOR ME NOW THAT THEY HAVE GONE UP OVER 5% ON TOP OF ALL OF THIS? WHAT ABOUT MY COUNCILLORS? HERTIESS AND POPPENROTH? DO YOU NOT GIVE A HOOT ABOUT US?!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat did you expect buying a house next to an industrial park... very few have sympathy for you.
Deleteand I bet you got it cheap...so quit complaining.
Taxes going up....booohooohooo...
Seems that there were two optons here. First, listen to lawyers (i.e. hide behind the MOE and take the easy route out). Second, do what you are there for in the first place as a local government (and do the ethical and right thing)and stand up for the local residents. I agree with the author of the letter. Should have been appealed. Instead we have a Township willing to lay down and play dead.
ReplyDeleteIt would have been better if the Township Council had appealed and joined forces with the appeal that has been filed by citizens, but in all fairness I can appreciate the Council being between a rock and a hard place on this one. An appeal would cost the Township in excess of $30,000 with attorney fees, etc. So if they had appealed they would be criticized for "wasting" tax dollars. I say wasting because the tribunal has set up guidelines for success that will be extremely difficult to achieve and the outlook for an appeal is doubtful. Mayor Cowan has been and is continuing to be on the side of relocation of the bio fuel facility. He is continuing to talk to the Ministers and trying to relocate this mess. These talks are not highly visible because this type of discussion is never very public. The Ministry of Environment is the bad guy in all this...not the Township Council or Mayor. They, the Council and Mayor, have gone on record against the location in Elmira and the MoE has just ignored them, the by-laws, and the people who live here. Direct your anger at those who deserve it.
ReplyDeleteAnger? How about disgust. Botched job by the Township and Cowan for sure. By the way, what is your PhD in? If you are a doctor of medicine maybe you can make a submission to the MOE about the health impacts of odour? (please)
Delete$30,000? Big deal there "Dr. Dan". I signed a petition to get some action - not excuses. The Township has money to hire new staff but not to hire a lawyer on our behalf?
DeleteYou cant squeeze blood from a stone. There is not really alot that woolwich council can do. Its the nature of the Green Energy Act that municipalities lose their power in these matters. Probably the right approach though as none of these much needed projects would ever be built due to resistance of a small minority who base there fight on selfish motives. "We agree with the project...just not here....send it to breslau"...common people.
DeleteI would just like to invite everyone out on Monday to the council meeting. It does not matter whether you are for or against this decision.Together,we can make the difference for the future of Elmira!
ReplyDeletePS Join us at 6:15 -7PM for outside before the meeting
So we have to protest at our local Council meetings to get them to represent our local interests? Why? They should have been doing this on our behalf since the BioEn application was made some time ago. Thanks for arranging the protest but it's a bit late. Welcome to stinktown Emirates folks. I'm glad I don't live near Martins Pet Foods.
DeleteMy understanding of the protest Monday evenimng (6:15-6:55pm.) is that it is to bring greater public attention to the M.O.E.'s decision. It is also my belief prior to the 7 pm. Council meeting, that some or all Woolwich Councillors have been invited to attend as a show of solidarity against the M.O.E. decision. This indeed would be a very welcome and positive sign if they were able to attend. Yes you are right that Elmira citizens and especially those living near Martins Pet Foods are facing difficult times. Will you come out and show your support and solidarity with them? The more people who attend the greater the strength and leverage the BFCC will have at the upcoming Environmental Review Tribunal.
ReplyDeleteIt will be interesting to see if there is really any interest by Elmira residents (not just those who live nearby) to oppose the Biogas plant.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I do not think the province has the right to overrule municipal matters such as zoning bylaws.
It is the provincial government that residents should be angry at, not township council.
On a side note, is anybody protesting the potential residential development on the apple orchard lot across from the abandoned Hydro-Agri plant?
Corey : I agree wholeheartedly with your comments. In answer to your question about the Hawk Ridge Homes development proposed for Union St., yes there have been numerous protests, negative comments and delegations to Woolwich Council including myself, Richard Clauis, Sulco and Chemtura. Also past CPAC members have been vigorous in their opposition as well the new CPAC have sent comments to Woolwich Council in opposition.
ReplyDelete