CAN'T WE ALL JUST GET ALONG??

Advice is ratepayers need to "get along with Council" and work with them.

I know from the conversations around town that people want to do that. I mean we have known each other for years having been neighbours, friends, relatives and involved in business together.

Here is yet another example, however, of why it is very difficult.

Highlands (who are no friends) has taken out 21 burn permits for structures in Melancthon and have demolished 16. They state these homes were in "poor condition".
Bullcrap.

Their spokesperson stated at a June 2009 meeting that in fact these structures were condemned.
Bullcrap.

Their spokesperson stated at the same meeting that people were fearmongering and Highlands had plans to "only" demolish less than double digits.
Bullcrap.

In response to the loss of cultural heritage and tax base, ratepayer after ratepayer after ratepayer wrote and attended Council to implore/beg/plead/demand they pass a demolition control bylaw.

In December 2009 a demolition control bylaw appeared on Melancthon's agenda.

After that, 18 letters of support for passing the bylaw were submitted to Melancthon Council.

One letter in opposition was received from guess who? Highland Corporations.

Who did Melancthon choose to meet with in a private meeting?

Not one of the 18 individuals who wrote in to support the passing of the bylaw.

They met privately with John Lowndes of Highlands and his solicitor. The ONE objector.

Funny that Johnny had time to attend that meeting, because he hasn't been able to find the time to attend a meeting on the invitation of Council to defend the jobs that were projected in their very widely distributed DVD as a result of their proposed 2,400 acre 200 foot open pit mine.

Did the bylaw get passed?

NOPE.

Gee, wonder what happened at the private meeting?

Gee, wonder why people find it so hard to support Council?