COME ON COUNCILLOR SCHWINDT, GET IT DONE SOONER THAN LATER

 There will be at least three interesting items on tomorrow's TAG meeting at 6:30 pm. Firstly there will hopefully be a serious discussion around the MECP's three highly critical documents dated Dec. 7, Dec. 7 and December 20, 2023 all hammering the current Lanxess/Stantec Draft Risk Assessment of the Canagagigue Creek. Unfortunately as usual I expect that despite the appropriately harsh criticism, that Lanxess and their fellow travellors both on and off TAG will rush to the company's defence. To their shame for both the fellow travellors and for the other TAG members who are too intimidated and overwhelmed by the shining halos surrounding Stantec, GHD and Lanxess.

The next item of significance will be the replacement committee for RAC & TAG. It is absolutely no loss to the public interest to throw those two tame committees into the waste bin. The problem is both who chooses their replacements and the people they choose. I do not see Mayor Shantz giving up any control over alleged "public consultation" that would result in honest and specific criticism of Lanxess Canada and or the MECP. Despite some better folks on Council they do not have the mayor's manipulative experience or pre-eminent position as mayor. 

The third item is the thorny one concerning TAG (& CPAC) member Sebastian Seibel-Achenbach. He has served with distinction on TAG for the last 8  1/2 years. He has been cooperative, helpful and supportive of his colleagues on TAG. Unfortunately, for some TAG members, that is not enough. Sebastian has politely and diplomatically on occasion over the years expressed positions and opinions not 100% supportive of everything Lanxess says and does. Sebastian has had the temerity to speak truth to power including asking difficult questions that his collegues are not all supportive of. 

Last October verbally Sebastian responded to prompts from councillor Cadeau looking for feedback regarding the RAC & TAG Terms of Reference Review. After the meeting he submitted and asked councillor Schwindt to please read his written responses to TAG at their November meeting (16th) which he could not attend. Sebastian also asked councillor Schwindt to enter Sebastian's written comments on RAC & TAG into the TAG Minutes verbatim. Councillor Schwindt read Sebastian's comments at the meeting but as of yesterday at least they have yet to be included in the Minutes of that meeting posted on the Township's website or distributed to TAG members prior to tomorrow's meeting.  

Sebastian has e-mailed councillor Schwindt asking him to step up and do the right thing by putting Sebastian's comments into the Minutes verbatim.. Again at least since yesterday it has not happened. This certainly appears to be Woolwich Township (mayor & CAO ?) censoring strong criticism of their babies i.e. RAC & TAG. Lying, cheating and manipulating to get your way is what politics is all about even at the municipal level.