THUMP, BACK DOWN TO EARTH

Okay, so Flamborough managed to stop a 300 acre quarry.

What does this mean for Melancthon ratepayers who are fighting a 2,400 acre 200 foot open pit limestone mine on prime agricultural land?

Well, it must be remembered that Flamborough ratepayers had a municipal champion from the very first tree that the corporation started felling. Her name is Councillor Margaret McCarthy. She did what politicians are elected to do, work in the best interests of ratepayers.

The anti-quarry Friends of Rural Communities for the Environment, (FORCE) wasn't alone. The quarry was strongly opposed by Hamilton, Halton, Burlington and Milton councils, medical officers of health, conservation authorities, school boards, farm groups and the Ontario Environment Ministry, as well as hundreds of people in Hamilton, Halton and the Greater Toronto Area.

Article: http://www.thespec.com/article/753053
Councillor McCarthy actually went to Queen's Park, several times to raise the profile of the issue with McGuinty and she courted the media. Hamilton even paid for many of the studies and expenses related to fighting this, thanks to her diligence and perserverance.

Here is her website: http://www.margaretmccarthy.ca/html/issues_-_quarry.html

Now what are Melancthon and County politicians doing to help their ratepayers who have begged, pleaded and argued for assistance in this issue for the past year.

Nothing, no municipal tree cutting bylaw, no enforcement of the County tree cutting bylaw for the past year until two weeks ago when legal action was threatened if they didn't start, no demolition control bylaw, no studies, no money, no trips to Queen's Park, NO PUBLIC SUPPORT for anyone, except well Highland Companies.

What is our Mayoralty candidate, the current Deputy Mayor busy doing? Taking pen to paper to PUBLICALLY ARGUE with a ratepayer who, with all due respect, dared to criticize Melancthon Council.

Here is a link to the original ratepayers letter:
http://www.citizen.on.ca/news/2010-04-08/Mailbox/Information_fell_on_deaf_ears.html

Here is Mayoralty candidate, the current Deputy Mayor's reply:
http://www.citizen.on.ca/news/2010-04-15/Mailbox/Expression_of_views_okay_but_need_facts.html

So we know he knows how to write, but why in the hell isn't he fighting TOGETHER WITH his ratepayers instead of AGAINST them in the quarry battle?