Highlands Open House

I attended Highlands Open House in Hornings Mills in July 2009 to ask questions as did many members of the community.

The first thing I noticed was a strong police presence at the entrance of the Hornings Mills Hall. Two officers in full police regalia with guns, batons, handcuffs, the works. Now I love a man in a uniform (who doesn’t?), but this was a bit much, even for me. Perhaps Mr. Lowndes the front man for the Highland Companies, does not truly enjoy or trust having to inter-mingle with mere peons in his kingdom and felt better knowing the police were only steps away to protect him from the riff raff. Or perhaps it was an intimidation tactic on his part, just to remind people who is in charge?

I wonder, when he must travel to Melancthon if he brings a food tester with him, like Kings used to when they couldn't trust their subjects. Just asking....

I can’t say for sure why the police were there, but the official party spin, sorry explanation, after the open house, when the police presence was criticized by the public, was that Highlands had the police there for parking control to HELP the public.

Hm, I don’t know much but I do know that it is hard to provide parking control when you are standing inside a building, but then what do I know? I thought when you mined 2,400 acres to a depth of 200 feet that you leave a big HOLE in the ground, but according to Lowndes, “You don’t end up with a great big hole in the ground, you end up re-shaping the landscape.” (Orangeville Banner, July 27, 2009) So there, live and learn.

Next I noticed the public walking out of the building, some shaking their heads, some laughing, some grim and at least one woman crying at the ridiculous official information that was being foisted on the public. According to Highlands mining 2,400 acres to a depth of 200 feet has absolutely no impact on wildlife, watersheds, people, traffic, noise, etc. and keeping the water out of the HUGE hole, sorry re-shaped landscape, is the same thing as how your sump pump keeps water out of your basement. That might be true, if you live where John Lowndes lives, which is nowhere near Melancthon.

Guess they had to dumb it down for us local yokels so we could fully understand what they are trying to do. Don't know about you, but I know what they are trying to do and all I can say is I usually like to get kissed first.

The next thing I noticed were Highlands highly paid consultants circling the room like jackals looking for their next prey. If a member of the public approached to ask a question, immediately several other Highlands employees would form a protective circle. It reminded me of Scientologists surrounding lone, lost college students in airports with a view to befriending and converting them. I presume this informal circle jerk (for lack of a better expression) was to ensure that the official party line was being recited with no deviations.

I also noticed that Highlands own L. Ron Hubburd, “OUR” John Lowndes was never alone, ever. Not only was he protected by a strong and well armed police presence at the front door, he was completely surrounded at all times by his highly paid comrades, all touting the party line, all forming a united front and oh yeah, covering Lowndes ass.

I am sure at one point someone would have had to remind him that he was in Melancthon Township because of course the surroundings wouldn’t be familiar to him as he doesn’t live here (did I mention that?), nor does he “work” here. A numbered company with which he is affiliated owns land here and employs people who live and work here, but not our saviour, John Lowndes, no siree.

Melancthon isn’t good enough for Mr. Lowndes, but then who can blame him? I am sure he hasn’t purchased a home or wants to raise a family here because he is probably worried about property depreciation , dust, noise, health, water and traffic IF, not when the mine is established, and he should be concerned about those issues. He is a smart, smart man.

His “work” appears to be lobbying provincial and federal politicians, rubbing elbows with the big wigs and laying low so he doesn’t piss off too many of the locals with his unrehearsed statements. His wormtail/ lackey, Michael Daniher, a highly paid lawyer who shares an office address with a political lobbyist who is registered with the government as lobbying on behalf of Highlands, is basically the face of the company. Daniher attends all local council meetings and issues official statements to the local press. I bet they wet their pants when they see another full page $1,000.00 ad coming their way from Highlands to buff up their sagging coffers.

If you are looking for balanced reporting in your local paper, good luck. You have about as much luck finding that as you have of finding a Melancthon or Mulmur Councillor who seems to have a clue.

P.S. to local politicians-the company fronted by Lowndes may own lots of land, but a numbered company can not vote in a municipal election, nor can Lowndes because of course HE DOESN'T LIVE HERE (did I mention that?).