AND THE WOOLWICH, UNIROYAL/LANXESS, MOE/MECP ODOUR CONTINUES

THE LETS MAKE A DEAL POLITICIANS ONCE AGAIN FAIL TO INCLUDE CITIZEN STAKEHOLDERS, THE ENVIRONMENT INCLUDING THE CREEK (Gig) AND LIFEFORMS AS WELL AS PROPERTY OWNERS AND USERS DOWNSTREAM



The "Deal" does however include Ron Stroh, Woolwich and possibly Wellesley Council, Lanxess and the Ontario Ministry of Environment, Conservation & Parks. My conclusion is based upon the less than clear conclusion of this Public Meeting held on-line this morning. It appeared to this eye that the Planning & Works Committee (RMOW) accepted the recommendation of their planner to proceed with these proposed amendments to the Official Plan. If so then that was particularly disrespectful and rude and clearly shows me that this whole process has been a done deal for many years. I was surprised by this apparent acceptance as the paperwork I received clearly stated "Delegations will be heard, but no decisions will be made." It is likely that after acceptance by the Planning Committee that the Official Plan Amendment needs to be ratified by the whole Regional Municipality of Waterloo (RMOW). My guess is that that is a done deal/rubber stamp. I hope that I am wrong but this whole process spread over eight years and counting stinks.

The Control Order allegedly governing the cleanup of the Elmira Aquifers and of the Canagagigue Creek states that Uniroyal Chemical (now Lanxess Canada) are on the hook for all cleanup on their site but only on the financial hook for 50% of the off-site cleanup. This has led to a conflict of interest with the MOE/MECP whereby it is in their financial interests to blindly and deafly agree with each and every self-serving report and "investigation" produced by Uniroyal/Lanxess consultants regarding minimal work required for said cleanups.

Not one regional councillor had so much as a single question of either myself or the other citizen delegate this morning. My delegation in particular referenced various reports and professionals with concerns about developing off-site on the east side of Lanxess (Stroh & Martin farms) as well as maps and technical data provided in advance to all the councillors. Any serious read of the data and text provided in advance should have elicited intelligent questions from some councillors if this wasn't an already longtime done deal.

Mr. Stroh appears to be a double winner as he presumably profits from the Official Plan amendments in both Wellesley and Woolwich Townships. Such incredible good fortune???