THE LATEST COVERUP IN ELMIRA

Sometimes I wonder exactly how far guilty parties are willing to go in order to avoid their responsibilities and hence cause more public damage. When politicians ignore the public interest in order to help themselves and private corporate interests, have they crossed the corruption line?

Last Tuesday in Council Chambers was the second Public Meeting to discuss boundary rationalizations which are part of a Proposed Official Plan Amendment. Here in Elmira the idea is to remove lands along Floradale Road as well as at the extreme northern end of the Elmira Settlement Boundary. At the same time an addition to Elmira's Settlement Area is proposed on the east side of town essentially from north of Line 86 (Church St.) due south to Scotch Line Road and then hooking back into Arthur St. South.

This expansion of Elmira's east side boundaries for either "employment development" or future "industrial needs" is really quite brazen. A look at the provided map indicates that these proposed east side lands encompass millions of dollars worth of contaminated properties; contaminated by Chemtura Canada. They also include the contaminated Canagagigue Creek as it leaves the Chemtura property and flows eastwards to discharge into the Grand River.

Seriously is this the best the province, the Region and our Woolwich Council can come up with? This proposed expansion will include a North/South Arterial Road that runs along the Chemtura east side property line and essentially buries all the toxic goodies that have flowed, leaked and been diverted onto the Stroh farm. A professional hydrogeologist has expressed his concerns with Chemtura's contamination having migrated into this area and his demands for honest soil and groundwater testing. To date both Chemtura and the M.O.E. have been resisting, delaying and playing games; all of which they excel at.

Yes I would say that twenty-five feet of gravel on top of these contaminated lands qualifies as a first class Woolwich coverup. Once again Chemtura says thank you Sandy.