FURTHER TO TUESDAY NITE'S COUNCIL MEETING

The petty nattering between Mayor Cowan and Councillor Poffenroth is becoming annoying. It appears that the Councillor somewhere/somehow has failed to satisfy the Mayor's high standards. That being said it also appears that the Mayor is the one provoking the exchanges. I do know that the Mayor was a little too yappy at a public CPAC meeting over a year ago and the CPAC member involved publicly dressed him down. When they got into it a second time, a meeting or two later, our Mayor wisely backed off very quickly.

We currently have the situation whereby one major party to Chemtura's *Responsible Care verification has publicly advised Council that they failed again. Chemtura responded two evenings ago at Council and claim the Decision isn't final or hasn't been made. They furthermore publicly attacked the Chair of CPAC although ostensibly not for CPAC's failure to bow to the will, charm and technical experts paid for by the company. Dr. Holt was called out for allegedly breaking a confidence. This will be settled as it's gone public and both local newspapers are following up. My comment is this: I've known Chemtura and their predecessors for twenty-three years. I've known Dr. Holt for less than two years. My impression of Dr. Holt is a very positive one based on many qualities and characteristics. My impression of Chemtura is a very negative one based upon many characteristics, behaviours and statements which have been specified in many postings in the Advocate. My money is on Dr. Holt.

I will also add these comments about the Chemistry Institute Association of Canada (CIAC). Their mandate appears to be making a SILK PURSE OUT OF A SOW'S EAR. They have extensive procedures, processes, standards that must be met prior to a member company receiving verification under *Responsible Care. I understand that companies are also supposed to embrace the ethics of *Responsible Care. It would not surprise me in the least if some chemical companies out there truly have done so and they and the public are better off for it. For that I say well done CIAC. In regards to Chemtura however you are dealing with a whole different kettle of fish. They are supposed to be working and communicating hand in hand with the local community for everyone's benefit. Instead two nights ago they make a public attack upon the character of the Chair of Chemtura Public Advisory Committee (CPAC). I believe that their attack was grossly inaccurate and totally inappropriate.

Councillor Bauman made one very funny comment at Council Tuesday night. He suggested that "the mind can absorb only as much as the butt can endure". While funny it was another comment which could be interpreted as supporting Chemtura's complaining. They and the M.O.E. are primarily responsible for the odd long meeting. They literally bafflegab and try and run out the clock and then go and complain the meetings are too long. Councillor Bauman also agreed with Dwight Este about decorum by suggesting that discussion sometimes "...degrades to a level he's not comfortable with.". Poor baby! Maybe when he spends a little more time dealing with Chemtura/CRA/M.O.E. and all their games, misrepresentations and basic rudeness by so doing; then he can voice his opinion with just a touch of knowledge behind it. Right now he personally knows squat but that doesn't appear to stop him from spouting nonsense at Council meetings.

Yours truly also had a presentation to Council prior to Chemtura's. I basically advised Council that CPAC had done their due diligence and informed themselves through multiple avenues and sources prior to producing their Resolution last April. I also advised that the interests of the unholy trinity namely Chemtura/CRA/M.O.E. are not remotely the same as the interests of the public and Woolwich residents. Finally I advised that Dr. Holt's update to Council the previous week was done in consultation with and supported by CPAC and SWAT team members.