OPTICS NOT SUBSTANCE, HYPOCRISY NOT HONESTY, CPAC TOO SAVY, TOO SMART, NOT COMPLIANT ENOUGH

The above title to today's posting is an amalgamation of three citizens comments. The first one is from CPAC member Sebastian Seibel-Achenbach in referring to both Chemtura and the Ontario Ministry of the Environment. The third one is from SWAT member Richard Clausi's Public Forum comments to two Woolwich Councillors and CPAC plus guests last evening. The middle one (2nd) is from myself this morning and refers to the remaining two Councillors last evening who attended the entire public CPAC meeting from 6 until 9 pm..

The first half at least of the meeting in Council Chambers dealt with a number of environmental issues surrounding the Chemtura site here in Elmira, Ontario. These included an excellent presentation from CPAC member Graham Chevreau who discussed in detail the detections of DDT downstream in the creek and how they grossly exceeded the M.O.E.'s health criteria. After his presentation all the CPAC members asked him questions relating to his research and presentation. Bluntly put Graham's professionalism throughout put the lie to Mayor Shantz's April 9/15 "meeting notes" which falsely claimed that CPAC does not have the "qualifications and confidence to provide technical feedback to Chemtura and the M.O.E.". Furthermore I believe that the honest, open minded Councillors present were blown out of the water by the expertise and professionalism displayed during the technical portions of last night's meeting.

Five of the six Woolwich Councillors were present last evening. I believe that Councillor Murray Martin has extended his perfect attendance record at CPAC meetings over the last twenty-four years. Keep in mind that Councillor Martin has several terms of office under his belt. Councillor Martin's perfect record is 100% of never attending CPAC meetings. That said let me be clear. I actually prefer a Councillor who may be upfront regarding their biases rather than those who pretend to be who they are not. Both Councillors Hahn and Merlihan had to leave early due to family commitments. I do not fault either one. That said it is my opinion as well as others that the remaining two Councillors attitudes changed after the departures of Hahn and Merlihan.
A recent M.O.E. letter has suggested that Q.P.s (qualified persons) are only appreciated and worthy to attend "technical" meetings. Both Ron Campbell of CPAC and Graham Chevreau shot that Chemtura/M.O.E. self-serving propaganda down. They stated that sending one hydrogeologist allegedly representing CPAC into a meeting with those from Chemtura and the M.O.E. who literally have decades experience each directly related to the Chemtura site is unreasonable. Peter Gray of MTE did a wonderful job for CPAC on one narrow issue on the east side of the site. On his own without CPAC experience and historical knowledge he will be badly outgunned and outnumbered. Also Graham indicated that restricting to Q.P.s is a red herring. Even the term is misleading. Ron, Graham and myself are all more than qualified to attend these meetings as are other SWAT members. The term is being used simply to exclude. That exclusion is all about excluding the public and keeping these meetings private and unaccountable.

Getting back to the first paragraph Sebastian made it clear to Councillors that both Chemtura and the M.O.E. are all about distraction and deflection, not about openly discussing environmental concerns and issues. They only want the appearance of consulting the public not the reality. Richard's comments also make it clear that Chemtura and the M.O.E. have simply run away from their responsibilities. Honest, open minded Councillors should be able to understand this. Chemtura and the M.O.E. only want a CPAC that does not question their inherent right to bullshit whenever they feel the need. My comment about hypocrisy not honesty is a reference to Mayor Shantz decrying alleged disrespect towards Chemtura/M.O.E. and how that is so hurtful and how they are so "afraid" to attend public CPAC meetings. In the very next breathe her cousin? Larry is admonishing CPAC that if Chemtura/M.O.E. are disrespectful to them, then they "should suck it up". That folks is unbelievable hypocrisy.