LOCAL REACTION TO BILL 66

Well done to Bob Jonkman and other locals who have responded against the Ford government's proposed Bill 66. Mr. Jonkman spoke to Woolwich Council last Tuesday evening and advised that Woolwich Township should avoid the proposed exemptions to protections such as the Clean Water Act. You know it would have to be a Conservative government rediscovering both their inherent environmental stupidity and their reckless courage who would attempt to turn back the clock on the Clean Water Act nearly nineteen years after the man made Walkerton disaster.

The Woolwich Observer's Editorial mentions the Koebel brothers by name as being responsible for contrivances that both caused and exacerbated the disaster. They are correct of course. The Ontario Ministry of Environment's (MOE) major negative contributions not withstanding there were also local politicians who did what all politicians do best and that was to hide behind the MOE as well as municipal staff. Heaven forbid that the open secret of the alcoholism of Walkerton water staff should ever have been a reason for the mayor or council to step in and protect the people.

Congratulations again to Mr. Jonkman and let's see what our somewhat new Woolwich Council will do in regards to being allowed to bypass both the Greenbelt Act and the Clean Water Act. I'm even curious to see if supposedly Mennonite Woolwich Township embraces local retail marijuana stores. Our regional police chief Mr. Larkin is already singing a different tune about the "devil weed" now that it's been legalized.