THREE CPAC ITEMS

Today's Woolwich Observer on page #22 has a Notice of Public Meeting. This is in reference to next Thursday's Chemtura Public Advisory Committee in Woolwich Council Chambers at 6 pm..

Yesterday's Waterloo Region Record has the following story "Province offers grants to clean up Great Lakes basin". This is in reference to the Great Lakes Guardian Community Fund which was actually presented at the last public CPAC meeting by Mr. John Jackson. The biggest change I see is that the M.O.E. have responded to criticism regarding no funding being available. Now there definitely is funding (modest) which is appropriate considering that there will be some financial costs to citizens trying to assist their local environment.

Finally I am advised that Woolwich Council have released earlier this week a "Briefing Memo for The Honourable Jim Bradley, Minister of the Environment". As recently as three days ago, here in the Advocate, I had asked the question as to the status of CPAC's Resolution passed last April and the same Resolution then passed unanimously by Woolwich Council on May 8, 2012. Well as I understand it, Council's and CPAC's Resolution which among other things strongly criticizes the current and ongoing remediation efforts in Elmira, has been forwarded to both the Ontario government, M.O.E. and the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO). Further I believe that this Briefing Memo to Jim Bradley is the formal request for a meeting with him on this matter, probably at the upcoming AMO conference.

While I have no illusions as to the political dynamite this Resolution contains nevertheless full marks must go to Woolwich Council for their support and leadership on the Chemtura file. What they have done is both unprecedented and long overdue by our Municipality. I do not believe any previous Council would have been willing to take such a strong stand, contrary to the entrenched interests including those of the provincial government.