YEAR 2012 IN REVIEW

This will be a compilation of the "Year in Review" from both our local newspapers, namely the Elmira Independent and the Woolwich Observer. I will of course focus on the numerous environmental issues only that between them I believe both newspapers have covered.

The Elmira Independent "Year in Review" is hereby linked to and I believe I can link to the Observer newspaper and you'll have to flip over to page 5 for their "Year in Review".

Early March and Woolwich Council gave their support to preserving Victoria Glen Park in Elmira rather than selling parcels of it for development. Later that month Safety-Kleen received their 15 acre expansion and development O.K. for a warehouse and parking area once again proving that similar to Chemtura, being a disgusting polluter of the environment rarely has any long term drawbacks for business as usual. Also in March the province gave their approval to Woolwich Bio-En locating within Elmira. The following month Woolwich Council did the same. There was a large protest outside Council Chambers protesting this Decision.

Mayor Cowan appropriately stepped down as CPAC Chair to be replaced by Dr. Dan Holt. CPAC later in April passed their Resolution calling for a major shift in direction for the Chemtura cleanup. In May Woolwich Council unanimously supported CPAC's position to the consternation of Chemtura/M.O.E/CRA. In June Council voted to remove recycling from consideration for the Jigs Hollow Pit only to reinstate it in private negotiations at the OMB hearing months later. The OMB did one good thing locally in dismissing the Hawk Ridge Home subdivision plan. Their rationale was weird but at least it was the right decision.

In November, Chemtura responded to the resounding vote of no confidence from CPAC by introducing an allegedly independent update of their cleanup plan including massive increases in pumping and some source removal. Also Woolwich Council gave their approval for the Jigs Hollow Pit as well as did the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) at a very biased hearing. The next month at a Council meeting, the Woolwich Councillors (less Bonnie Bryant) appropriately got an earful from many residents for their rolling over on the Jigs Hollow Pit.

Both newspapers missed the bizarre and disgusting personal attack upon CPAC Chair Dr. Dan Holt by Chemtura at a Council meeting in December. My only other comment is this: Both Councillor Mark Bauman (repeatedly) and Mayor Todd Cowan (once) had the unmitigated hypocrisy and gall to make statements supporting Chemtura after their dishonest, inaccurate attack upon Dr. Dan. My suggestion to Mark is this: Don't you EVER criticize me again publicly for alleged personal attacks after you permitted and supported Chemtura doing it. The difference is also this: when I make an accusation/allegation it is honest, fact based and in good faith; completely contrary to what Chemtura did and you supported.