LOSING WOOLWICH MAYORALTY CANDIDATE STRIKES BACK

At first blush that was my synopsis of the behaviour of Pat McLean in approving Chemtura's receiving their *Responsible Care verification from the Chemistry Industry Association of Canada (CIAC). Keep in mind that Pat has just under zero legitimacy to be representing Elmira/Woolwich residents as she has been rejected at the polls both in 2006 (as Councillor) and in 2010 as Mayor. Nevertheless Chemtura wanted her there (which speaks volumes) and accepted her on the team. As expected, Pat delivered for Chemtura when the chips were down. Nevertheless while Pat's behaviour certainly has exhibited its' spiteful moments this encompasses much more. Two weeks ago (March 1) I posted details here of the verification team makeup. It turns out that I was misinformed in that the original team back in July 2011 which denied verification was made up of six members; two from Elmira (Pat & Dr. Dan), one from Chemtura West Hill and three appointed by the CIAC itself. I had understood that the same team was again involved this past December and January. In fact it was reduced by one as the West Hill member did not attend. Therefore out of five votes on the team which was determining verification or not for Chemtura Elmira, West Hill and a research facility in Guelph, two were from Elmira and zero from West Hill. Also as mentioned here in the Advocate, the West Hill facility was fined by the M.O.E. last December for a toxic air release in 2010.

Therefore four members of this oddly constructed verification team voted to approve Chemtura receiving verification, including Pat McLean. Dr. Dan Holt, the current Chair of CPAC (Chemtura Public Advisory Committee), voted against it and submitted a four page detailed dissenting opinion. He made clear that his dissenting opinion was both his own as well as representing the extremely clear opinion of the current CPAC; that Chemtura under no circumstances deserved to receive verification. Therefore Pat was able to not only nullify the opinion of the current CPAC Chair for whom she has expressed animosity in front of witnesses but she also was able to nullify the opinion of the entire current CPAC appointed by the duly elected Woolwich Council. Keep in mind that this current CPAC did not include her despite her desire to remain on it as Chair. This was not an oversight and was based upon her long term leadership of a former CPAC who went along with the inadequate and pathetic "cleanup" plan of Chemtura and their partners in pollution, the Ontario Ministry of the Environment. It has long been my opinion that Pat McLean's loyalties lie with Chemtura rather than with Woolwich citizens.

Pat also submitted, after Dan, a 1/2 page Comment regarding her verification approval. Dr. Dan's dissenting opinion included specific codes by number relating to *Responsible Care's Operations, Accountability and Stewardship categories. In other words using the *Responsible Care Manual Dan specifically detailed which codes Chemtura was failing to achieve and therefore did not deserve to be verified. Dan then signed his dissenting opinion as follows:
Dan Holt, Ph.D.
Member, Responsible Care Review Team
Chair, Chemtura Public Advisory Committee (CPAC)
Property Owner and Resident of Elmira, Ontario

With Pat's 1/2 page Comment she mainly made excuses about how hard Chemtura had to work to overcome their past history and legacy of environmental failure in Elmira. She absolutely did not even attempt to justify her decision based on the empirical codes set out by the *Responsible Care Manual. Interestingly to me here is how she signed her 1/2 page comment submitted after Dan's.
Pat McLean
Former Chair, Chemtura Public Advisory Committee, 14 years
Former member of Municipal Council, 18 years
Elmira resident, 40 years

Hoo boy! Is somebody's nose still way out of joint? You decide for yourselves.