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What about the plight of residents? I read the editorial stance taken by the Orangeville Citizen/Shelburne Free Press in the July 17, 2009 issue, regarding the plight of politicians with respect to Highland Companies plans to develop an open pit limestone mine in Melancthon. Firstly, it is important to note there is a difference between NDACT'S messaging and positioning, as opposed to individuals who may be supportive of NDACT, but who express their own opinions to and about politicians. And to make it clear, I am a supporter of NDACT but not a member of the committee. Secondly this paper has suggested in a previous editorial, that NDACT should negotiate with Highlands to limit the pit size to 100 acres. In my opinion I feel if that this is not a negotiation that NDACT should be responsible for, but rather Council. Further I do not feel it would be possible to strike this agreement. Highlands makes bold public statements that they will not expand into Mulmur, but when asked to put those assurances on title to lands in question, they decline. In my opinion they have every intention of mining every square inch of limestone, not at "any one time" as a Highland spokesperson assures us, but over the course of time which is a very different reality. They have stated they plan to leave a "good chunk" of the land in agriculture, but over 6,000 acres, what constitutes a good chunk-again they refuse to provide ANY information whatsoever. Finally, the Township of Melancthon may not have any "concrete" plans before them from Highlands but that is only because Highlands refuses to divulge ANY information whatsoever, despite publically stating they are within 3-6 months from filing an application for an aggregate license. Mayor Debbie Fawcett, however, was quoted in the June 23, 2009 Orangeville Citizen stating: It's been rumoured for years, so it's not that much of a surprise to us," If this project has been rumoured for years, why has this Council not taken one proactive step in advance of a filing, from hiring subject matter experts, incorporated the AMOET study into their official plan as other municipalities have done or even researched and presented existing water studies at Council meetings. This is not a Melancthon or Mulmur issue, this is a provincial issue. The Nottawasaga and Grand River watersheds impact more than 1 million Ontarians. Council's past practices give residents cause for concern. In the case of Phase I of the wind turbine proposal, Council made no decision within the time frame under the legislation after the proponent filed their application, the matter went to the OMB and Council did not hire one subject matter expert OR conduct one peer review. Ratepayers took up the cause. The proponent's studies were accepted, seemingly without question, by Council. After the turbines were constructed I recall one councillor publically stated that the finished product did not exactly resemble the pictures the proponent had presented at the outset. What should happen if the water impact studies Highland presents don't "exactly" turn out the way they were presented? At this point, it would appear Council is taking the same approach to this open pit mine making statements such as it will be decided at the OMB and our hands are tied because of provincial policy. One way of shaping provincial policy is political lobbying, of which to date I do not believe any of our municipal councillors have done. It took a local resident at the July 2, 2009 meeting of Melancthon Council to advise them that the spokesperson and public face for Highland Companies, Michael Daniher a lawyer, shares the same business address in Toronto as Philip Dewan, who is registered under the Lobbyist Registration Act paid to lobby on behalf of Highland Companies at all levels of government on aggregate and wind issues. Flamborough is an an example of a community with a strong political champion allied with ratepayers who are successfully battling an open pit mine-the exact same threat that is being posed to Melancthon. Councillor McCarthy, backed by the City of Hamilton, took a hard stance against that mine application before any applications were filed. As a result of studies, political lobbying and a strong ratepayers organization, the MRN and MOE have said no to the application before them. Another example is Site 41, which according to Simcoe County was a "done deal", until public and political pressure raised the profile. With the exception of Highland Companies, everyone involved in this issue have been neighbours, friends and business colleagues, if not for years, then generations and have all in their own way, worked toward the betterment of the community. What Highlands has done to tear apart the social fabric of this community is a travesty. No one except Highlands wins in this. This issue, however, has presented itself, through no fault of politicians or ratepayers and as a result, we need a political champion to lead in this fight. I would ask that local politicians take a strong stand and work hand in hand with your friends and neighbours against this devastating proposal. Will it cost money? Yes but if Highland Companies really and truly had ANY concerns for this community, they would have stepped up to the plate by now with their very deep pockets and offered to fund the independent studies that Council needs to conduct. If, on the other hand, politicians feel it is an impossible task and you are beat before you start, I would respectfully suggest that you stand down and let someone who can lead the community in this fight, assume the leadership role required. Ken Phillips RR#6, Shelburne - - o- - I live on a farm in the North Melancthon area, where surrounding prime farmland around us is under threat of becoming a limestone quarry by the Highland companies. Something that is really bothering me is that the Highland Companies are always stating that they have the communities best interest in mind and they are trying to communicate and be transparent about what they are doing. I don't believe this to be true. In the July 16 edition of Shelburne Free Press and Economist there was an advertisement about the Highland Companies having a Community open house, where the public can ask questions about their aggregate application. In case no one has noticed it is on July 25, the same day as the Honeywood Beef BBQ, one of the biggest events in the community. If this company really cares about the community why make the public choose between attending a social fundraiser that has been going on for years, or attending an open house about one of the biggest issues the county has ever faced? That does not sound very community oriented to me. At the last Melancthon township meeting that I attended it was brought up the Highland companies extended their open house meeting to start at 11 am because they were unaware that the Honeywood Beef BBQ was on the same day. Why does this company who cares about the community so much not even know about the BBQ? The Highland Companies is also leading the community to believe that this open house is out of care and respect for the community. However if you check on the website for the Ministry of Natural Recourses, under Aggregate Resources you will read that each applicant must hold an information session for the public. The reason for this meeting is because they have to have an open house for the public in order to apply for an aggregate license. The Highlands companies may choose to respond to this letter but how can we believe anything they say when they have mislead this community from the very beginning. In the May 8, 2008 Orangeville Citizen a Highland Companies manager of the potato facility, said "there is no interest in the land apart from growing potatoes." This statement is false as we now know the Highland Companies will be applying for a licence to extract aggregate in the next 3-6 months.
I believe that this company is only concerned about making money, not our community and I hope that no one believes their propaganda. |
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