MARYHILL (i.e. Capitol Paving) GRAVEL PIT GOING TO LPAT/OLT

The age of acronyms never ends. First it was the OMB or Ontario Municipal Board. Then it morphed into the LPAT or Local Planning Area Tribunal and now it seems to be being referred to as the OLT or Ontario Land Tribunal. Regardless of the name it is a pro-development, pro-business, anti-citizens rights, provincially appointed group whose job is to give the general public the appearance of fairness and consideration while backing the government's (Liberal or Conservative) strongly pro-monied, pro-business, pro-development bias in order to stay in the good graces of their various financial donors. By the way this most certainly includes the aggregate industry. Yes Dorothy this is a conflict of interest albeit all done smoothly in the Canadian way. No need generally for police or violence when the system has been so long perverted from the top down. ......................................................................................................................... Today's Woolwich Observer carries the following story written by Steve Kannon titled "Decision on Maryhill gravel pit to be made at provincial tribunal". First of all I'm seeing some incredible politics and more unfolding here. Woolwich staff clearly have recommended that Council approve the zoning change and Application by Capitol Paving. I felt early on that that was going to be Council's out in favour of approval. But something funny has happened here. The citizen protest, outrage and opposition has as expected been very strong but less expected has been Woolwich Council's hesitancy. Are Council actually listening to the Maryhill and area citizens, business owners and local residents? .............................................................................................................................. In the alternative there are two other issues going on. The first is that next year (2022) is a municipal election year. Wow nothing like a mandated election to focus one's political eye and other senses. The second may be that the leader of the local opposition is one Bonnie Bryant who has municipal council experience in her own right. In fact as the then Mayor at the time (Todd Cowan), despite being the incumbent, was stumbling towards coming in fourth in the mayoralty race, Bonnie Bryant actually ran against him. They both lost to, at the time, almost squeeky clean Sandy Shantz. Is there any possibility that Bonnie might be seriously considering getting back into local politics? I would suggest that many would hope so including myself. I wonder if current pretend mayor, Sandy might be looking over her shoulder at the moment. Hmm it's sad if that is how decisions are made versus on their merits but hey that's politics.