I am prefacing my comments by stating I am NOT a member of NDACT, but I want to personally thank the NDACT committee members for what they are doing for this community.

It is unfortunate that, so far, we have had no local politician stand up to take a leadership issue in this battle against a proposed open pit mine in Melancthon. I have heard repeatedly from my local Council that nothing is known for certain, everything is speculation or rumour and they really aren't in a position to take any action at this time. Further, IF an aggregate application is filed, it will be decided at the OMB.

This matter may very well go to the OMB, but if local Councils don't start taking proactive measures by doing their own studies, planning reports, research, lobbying and protecting the agricultural land under the provisions available to them they will not be in a position to take any stand at the OMB.

Flamborough has been fighting a similar threat for the last five years since David Lowndes purchased approximately 300 acres of land. Hamilton City Councillor Margaret McCarthy took a leadership role for her Flamborough Ward when trees began disappearing and a quarry was hinted at, YEARS before an aggregate application was filed. She has championed that issue by successfully lobbying provincial politicians, Hamilton City Councillors and other municipalities for support. To see all that she has done on behalf of her constituents, go to her webpage at www.margaretmccarthy. ca

We need and deserve that kind of political leadership here. It should NOT be up to the ratepayers to do a job for which politicians were elected - representing their constituents. No elected official in Melancthon or Mulmur can honestly say they haven't heard from the majority. Clearly the majority of qualified electors are NOT in favour of an open pit mine over prime agricultural land, water and the environment.

The only entity that wants this is one company who stands to make billions of dollars off the destruction of Melancthon Township. NDACT's website (www.ndact.com) has over 3,600 hits, 58 comments on the blog with only one negative comment - it is clear that this is an issue that ratepayers understand will impact them.

It isn't just about an open pit mine, it is about the water table and aquifer that serves all of Dufferin and much of Ontario, the environment, the ecosystem and loss of control of the rail corridor.

Until a political champion stands up and takes on this issue, the job appears to have fallen by default to NDACT to undertake and pay for this work on behalf of ratepayers. Please support them in any and every way you can. Sign the petition, participate in the golf tournament on July 9, 2009 or make a silent auction donation, attend the public meeting in Honeywood on June 20, 2009 @ 10:00 a.m., hand out fliers, spread the word, attend meetings or make a financial donation.
Karren Wallace
Melancthon Township