REGION WRITES OFF THE ELMIRA AQUIFERS

First off a week ago I posted here that I didn't know how the Elmira Indepndent could have missed writing about the stunning comments made by Eric Hodgins of the Region of Waterloo. Well it turns out they didn't miss them, they just postponed them until this week. The front page story in yesterday's Elmira Independent is titled "Elmira will need new wells, after groundwater restored".

Once again we see why Eric gets the big bucks at the Region of Waterloo. His technical competence I'm sure is O.K. but mostly he's a team player with a knack of speaking carefully ie. weasel words. Eric did not specifically criticize any company or level of government. He did not specifically say "Of course the Elmira Aquifers are toast forever". Gail Martin quoted Eric as saying that when the aquifers are restored "There would be water available, but we wouldn't put any resources into finding that now, until the remediation is complete." Eric also said that monitoring as well as an environmental assessment would be needed before any new wells could be brought into the Elmira drinking water system. Everything in his statements suggest a hands off policy by the Region towards doing, planning or spending a single red cent until AFTER the Elmira aquifers are restored.

Point one I was not surprised by the knowledge that wells E7 and E9 were sold many years ago to Uniroyal/Crompton. That little tidbit was not kept hidden from the public. What did surprise me was Eric admitting anything whatsoever about the Region and their non plans for the Elmira Aquifers. I believe that under directions from his political masters, he is attempting to shift the public perception that the Region supports the ongpoing M.O.E./Chemtura "cleanup". In other words the Region have seen Woolwich Township supporting CPAC's Resolution versus the status quo and hence the Region wish to distance themselves as well; from the upcoming public relations disaster awaiting the M.O.E/province/Chemtura.

Lastly yours truly has had a Letter To The Editor published. It is titled "Speaking the truth" and applauds both the young CPAC and the young Woolwich Council for their leadership in exposing the current sham of a cleanup. My interpretation, necessary due to Eric's exquisitely and painfully chosen words, is that Woolwich Council and the Region are leaving the mess in Elmira; instituted by the province (M.O.E.), to be cleaned up by the province. Looks good on the remaining parties to this scam.