TWO NEW/OLD ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES IN TODAY'S WOOLWICH OBSERVER

First off thank you Steve Kannon for the honourable and accurate mention of yours truly in today's Observer article titled "Union St. subdivision plan on hold again". This is one of the two "new/old" issues in today's Observer. The other is titled "Gravel pit cleared for Winterbourne valley, as Woolwich drops legal action." Interestingly/oddly that while both of these issues have been recently active for several weeks/months, we the public literally got the minimum advance notice possible. That includes the fact that I had filled out the form requesting notice of any and all upcoming public meetings etc. dealing with the Hawk Ridge Homes proposed subdivision on Union St. across from Sulco (CCC) and Lanxess Canada. ...................................................................................................... The second item regarding the Jigs Hollow Pit (i.e. Winterbourne Valley) came out of the blue. This is despite the fact that I had attended Local Planning Area Tribunal (LPAT) meetings one to two years ago and like numerous citizens was quite interested and concerned. Absolutely zero media advance warning or any other on that one. The Jigs Hollow issie now appears to be done and over. Woolwich Township withdrew their opposition and indiviual advocates in opposition to this gravel pit likely are not interested in mortaging their homes or retirements in order to continue the fight. They made incredible efforts over many years and deserve our thanks regardless of the outcome, namely a below water table gravel pit right along the banks of the Grand River beside the village of Winterbourne. It kind of makes a mockery of the Heritage River designation as well as the efforts of hundreds if not thousands of citizens over decades to protect the river. .................................................................................................. I posted yesterday about the probable go ahead for the Hawk Ridge Homes proposal. That too is a disgrace. Wake up folks. If you keep electing the Progressive Conservative Party provincially you can count on a faster environmental degradation process than we are already going through. (Yes I admit the Liberal Party desperately required a timeout but there are other choices you know).