A MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR OF CPAC

Following is the text of a statement given by Dr. Dan Holt, CPAC Chair, at the last public CPAC meeting on February 26, 2015. It is extraordinary for its' detailed and forthright explanation of both the environmental and political situation here in Elmira, Ontario regarding Chemtura Canada (formerly Uniroyal Chemical).

One note: The initial proposed suspension of further meetings was discussed and it was decided not to proceed with that.


"Since Chemtura and MOECC have not shown up for the February meeting I propose we have a motion to suspend all future meetings until May 2015 or until they are ready to act like grownups and return. They have shown disrespect for CPAC, Council, and the people of Elmira by their actions and lack of actions for the past several years. Respect is a two way street and being purposely deceptive and pretending to take actions to remediate the aquifer over the years when in fact they are not doing what would actually help is not respectful.

The Mayor has met with both Chemtura and the MOECC and not knowing what she has promised the MOECC and Chemtura they still have not shown up for meetings. It is apparent that they are not interested in truly working together. I propose that CPAC suspend all future meetings until Chemtura and the MOECC are ready to respect all parties involved and return ready to actually work toward a goal of real remediation of the aquifer.

Chemtura and the MOECC pretend that they are the victims in all of this. The Council and Mayor are being deceived based on their attendance at one or two CPAC meetings in four years. The real victims are the residents of Elmira who had their clean fresh water stolen by Chemtura over 30 years ago which in turn is costing the residents higher water bills.

Chemtura deceived this committee and the people of Elmira when they, for a year or more, declared that they would meet the 2028 deadline by their current methods and pumping rates while they had the data all along, that they would later reveal, which indicated that they would not reach the 2028 goal without increasing the pumping rates by 300%. And after two years they still have not increased the rates but in some cases reduced the pumping rates.

The MOECC is not living up to its responsibilities under the Environmental Protection Act (EPA). They have the authority and responsibility to go on property with or without permission to investigate contamination and possible hazards to human health, animal life, and the environment and they steadfastly refuse to carry out their duty. They are continuing to spend over $600,000/year that we know of, of taxpayer's money, without accomplishing a true claenup of the aquifer. Instead of supporting the efforts of CPAC, the representatives of the people, the MOECC consistently support the inaction of Chemtura.

Chemtura has a history of this type of avoidance of cleaning up their messes in other locations (Red Hook Park in Brooklyn for one) and that indicates to me that they are playing a game of delay and obfuscation at the expense of the residents. I personally have been publicly attacked and called a liar at a Council meeting when I had no way to defend my honour or myself. Of course, the Chemtura representative who defamed me in public later apologized in private and said he didn't want to do that, but the corporate higher ups forced him. Why is that nor part of this discussion of work place harassment? Steve Quigley has many times insulted this committee. George Karlos has insulted this committee. Josef Olejarz has been disrespectful. Why is all this blame heaped on CPAC (for the other two parties not showing up)?

We should entertain shutting down all of it and save the taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars per year. The aquifer is not going to be cleaned up under the current process...the MOECC won't even give us a definition of what "cleaned up according to the ODWS" means. It has now been over a year since we requested that definition from the MOECC. Eric Hodgins, of the Region, has told us that the aquifer will have to rest after the declaration of "clean" is made anyway so why not now?

I for one am tired of being taken for granted, disrespected and bullied. My time, effort, and talents are worrth a lot more than I'm getting for this endeavour. respect is a two way street, nothing is being accomplished, so let's shut it down.

If we don't do this then it is time to bring in the big guns from outside to spread the word via the media. Ron is right...the 1991 Settlement Agreement is the guiding factor in all this and that means that Council, the people and CPAC have no real chance to make any difference in this anyway. That deal was struck to protect Chemtura from ever having to really spend the money to clean up the aquifer and surrounding contamination. The MOECC will always protect Chemtura because they are afraid of more legal action.

I want to take this opportunity to express my appreciation and admiration for those who have fought this battle for the past 25 years. Too many to name and I don't even know them all, but I do know Henry, Rich and Alan. Thank you for having the determination, knowledge and willingness to put up with all the nonsense that has been thrown at you over the years. The residents don't even know what you've done for them and continue to do to right a wrong perpetrated on the population of Elmira and the environment we all share."