ANOTHER ORGANIZATION WITH MORE SENSE THAN HIGHLANDS AND BAUPOST PUT TOGETHER

The National Farmers Union (NFU) has sent a letter to the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources this week, recommending that it decline the application made by The Highlands Companies for the Melancthon Quarry. 
“Once the aggregates are removed from beneath prime agricultural land such as this, full rehabilitation is impossible.  The good drainage of „gravel-bottom‟ land is what makes the land so valuable as farmland, especially for higher value crops such as potatoes,” according to Slater.
http://www.farms.com/news/nfu-recommends-that-the-highlands-companies-application-for-melancthon-quarry-be-rejected-51890.aspx

NDACT EMAIL-PLEASE HELP IF YOU CAN

NDACT has a delegation with:
· Mulmur Township Council, Tuesday May 1, 2012 at 2:00 PM
· Melancthon Township Council, Thursday May 3, 2012 at 10:15 AM

Purpose: To discuss Honeywood and Hornings Mills safe drinking water
under the Clean Water Act Legislation.
Specifically, we are asking both Township Councils to request the
NVCA (Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority) to ask the Minister
for approval to amend the 2009 NVCA Clean Water Act Work Plan, to
include these two communities (which currently are not included).

If you are able to attend these council meetings, we would greatly
appreciate your
support.

Township of Mulmur
758070 2nd Line East (Terra Nova)
R.R. # 2
Lisle, ON
L0M 1M0http://www.mulmurtownship.ca/

Township of Melancthon
517101 Highway 10 (7km north of Shelburne)
R.R. # 6
Shelburne, ON
L0N 1S9http://melancthontownship.ca/council.htm#12
Melancthon Township agenda will be available Mon. April 30 at above
link.
NVCA website (Clean Water Act)http://www.nvca.on.ca/OurProgramsandServices/EngineeringTechnicalServices/SourceWaterProtection/index.htm


We look forward to seeing you, if you are able to attend.

Thank you.
NDACT

HUFFINGTON POST

...The absence of policies like this is what allowed for the purchase of prime farmland in Melancthon Township by a Boston hedge fund, to build what would be the largest quarry in Ontario and the second largest in North America.

And while the mega quarry has created mega opposition and a movement to defend Ontario's precious food growing areas, and though Ontario boasts the world's largest greenbelt, a considerable amount of farmland is still being gobbled up all over the province.
http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/shiloh-bouvette/canada-food-security_b_1434283.html

WIND RAIL OPEN PIT MINE ROB ADAMS

What do these have in common?

Well Mayor Robbing Adams (Orangeville Mayor & County Councillor) seems to be opposed to the County investigating the possibility of leasing the rail bed to Dufferin Wind for their transmission lines.

“It’d be totally inappropriate for us to go off half-cocked and do anything without having the feedback of our solicitors,” interjected Orangeville Mayor Rob Adams.
http://www.orangeville.com/news/local/article/1343460--hydro-line-en-route-to-rail-lands

Can you guess why?

All together now.....

Would that throw a wrench into Robbings bottom bunk mate- Highland Rail Corporation (aka same people involved with the Melancthon Mega Quarry)- purchasing the rail bed. 

And if that goes off the rails (sorry about the pun) that means Highlands will no longer pay Robbings/Orangeville's $500,000 annual tax bill on Robbings ill-fated economic development solution which was....

All togethter now.....to purchase the rail line in the first place.

ANOTHER RATIONAL AND BALANCED DECISION BY THE OMB

The Ontario Municipal Board has dismissed an appeal made by Grant Best and Debbie Hill more than four years ago to permit a gravel pit southwest of Markdale.

http://www.owensoundsuntimes.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=3544481

Hill of Beans and Knowlton-were you going to let Seth know or did you want me to email him?

BAWAWAWAWAHH!!

IT IS QUIET...TOO QUIET

And I know why.

I got this exclusive email from Baupost aka Seth Klarman aka Highlands

ALERT THE MEDIA!!!

COVERAGE ON VR LAND OF ARTISTS AGAINST THE MEGA QUARRY

Now you all know how upper crust this blogger is.

REAL REAL hi-class. 

Why when I drink out of my bottle of beer while setting on the porch, I bend my twinkie finger.  Well actually I hit it with a hammer and it won't go straight now, but still...it LOOKS hi-class.

Anyhew....even this blogger was impressed with the level of the show that the Artists Against the Mega Quarry did this past weekend in Honeywood.

I looked but couldn't find anything like this:

BUT I did see beautiful art: scenes and art work of the local landscape and quarry issue. 

I tasted EXCELLENT food.

Had some nice wine.

Listened to wonderful music.

Talked to fantastic people.

BUT the absolute HIGH LIGHT of the evening, however, was the piece which I have dubbed "Cow on Canvas".

Watch this clip starting at 8.47 for the story and a view of "Cow on Canvas"

http://ctvnewsbarrie.ca/videos/813/sunday-april-22,-2012-ctvnews@6-webcast

SPRING IS POPPING UP EVERYWHERE

HOPE YOUR NDACT SIGN IS AS ARTFULLY

DISPLAYED AS WELL AS THESE ONES

FOODSTOCK UPDATE

Were you unable to attend Foodstock 2011?

Or were you there and didn't get one of the Roots Foodstock 2011 t-shirts because they sold out in about a minute.

Come to the Artists Against the Mega Quarry show in Honeywood on Sunday April 22 between 11 and 4.

The NDACT booth will be there so you can get updates.

Great artwork.

A limited amount of Roots Foodstock 2011 t-shirts.

Free admission!!!

NDACT ROCKS THE MOVEMENT

NDACT is being held up as the model for changing government and engaging the public. 

Perhaps they could start up a PR firm to rival Hill of Beans and Knowlton...

What a difference a year makes and kudos to youdos, NDACT!!

"...Don't underestimate the power of the public comment period," he said.

He referred to the Green Party's experience in working with environmental, farming and other organizations in their opposition to the controversial Melancthon Quarry, proposed by the Highland Companies and backed by a a U.S.-based hedge fund, which would see a 2,300-acre quarry started in Melancthon Township, north of Orangeville in Dufferin County...."

http://www.brantfordexpositor.ca/2012/04/16/green-leader-backs-review-of-gravel-pit-plan

ANOTHER MYTH SHATTERED

http://www.torontosun.com/2012/04/13/daltons-mythical-green-jobs

HOW COME?

How can a politican make a public declaration against something before knowing the entire story and not be sued for prejudging something?  Maybe Mayor Fennell knows something local politicans don't?

BUT more importantly why can an urban municipality say NO to something but windturbines and open pit mines and gravel pits are still being shoved up the rural municipalities collective butts, so to speak.

Just wondering "How Come"

And here is a priceless quote from the Mayor of Brampton: We don’t want a second power plant, we want a second hospital,” said Fennell."

Really?  A second hospital?  Wow, all we want is ONE freaking hospital, not a laundry service.

Read all about it here:
http://www.bramptonguardian.com/news/cityhall/article/1334953--mayor-says-no-to-gas-fired-power-plant

TRAIN CHRONICLES

Very mysterious:

Highland, town renew railway sale deal-FEBRUARY 9, 2012

While the town has been willing to sell its railway, the county has been less enthusiastic about selling the rail corridor it owns north of Orangeville.

http://www.citizen.on.ca/news/2012-02-09/Front_Page/Highland_town_renew_railway_sale_deal.html (be sure to note the comments below the article)

BUT at the March 26, 2012 General government services committee meeting this appears:

Closed Session – Property Matter – Update on the Former Rail Line Corridor Closed session in accordance with the Municipal Act Section 239 (2) (c), a proposed or pending acquisition or disposition of land.

In closed session the Committee discussed the Confidential Report from the Chief Administrative Officer dated March 26, 2012 regarding the former rail line corridor.

Moved by Councillor Adams, seconded by Councillor Rhonda Campbell Moon THAT staff be directed to carry out the direction as discussed in closed session. -Carried-

And yet when ratepayers ask County Councillors for a public meeting to get the facts on the potential sale as the facts are decidedly lacking, they were advised the County is not contemplating a sale.

So was the March 26, 2012 closed meeting improperly closed, or improperly titled?

In either case that could trigger a closed meeting investigation.

And if someone is asking for a closed meeting investigation on the rail issue, they should also ask them to investigate the “Rail Sub committee” meetings held in 2011 t the County that did not publicly post in contravention of the Municipal Act and their own procedure bylaw.

Apparently there was a meeting on February 7, 2011-the minutes were approved at General Government Services meeting on February 22, 2011 and then again at the February 10 County Council meeting. However NO agenda was posted for the original February 7 meeting.

THEN at the General Government services committee meeting on March 21, 2011 at 4.45 PM the minutes of the Rail Sub committee meeting OF THE VERY SAME DAY at 3.00 PM were added to the agenda. 

And again, no notification to the public of the Rail subcommittee meeting. And if you want to read the minutes of the Rail subcommittee meeting held on March 21 you have to go to the Council agenda of April 14, 2011.

 

You need a degree in computer forensics to find this shit.

Or else just be a very determined and disbelieving blogger.

WTF?

DIVERSIFICATION

Guess what ELSE you can do with a working open pit limestone mine?

Well, once you get a permit to "take water" you can "take water" wherever the hell you want-even in a pipeline somewhere.

But you can also do this, on 1/2 of a working, blasting mine that is still pumping water:

Landfill Proposed for Zorra Township
http://www.woodstocksentinelreview.com/2012/04/04/weg-seeks-community-input-on-proposed-landfill

http://www.woodstocksentinelreview.com/2012/04/11/no-more-landfills-in-oxford-county-council-says

Just google Carmeuse Lime Beachville and see what you get-maybe a glimpse of Melancthon's future.

COUNTY RAIL BED UPDATE-TOOT TOOT COMING THROUGH

General Services Committee at the County of Dufferin discussed the following at their March 26, 2012 committee meeting:

Closed Session – Property Matter – Update on the Former Rail Line Corridor Closed session in accordance with the Municipal Act Section 239 (2) (c), a proposed or pending acquisition or disposition of land.

In closed session the Committee discussed the Confidential Report from the Chief Administrative Officer dated March 26, 2012 regarding the former rail line corridor.

Moved by Councillor Adams, seconded by Councillor Rhonda Campbell Moon THAT staff be directed to carry out the direction as discussed in closed session. -Carried-

I do have to give them credit. 

At least this time they didn't convene a rail committee meeting INSIDE of the General Government Services meeting without properly notifying the public-

YES they did that and

YES they crapped all over the person who pointed out how this was completely in contravention with provincial legislation and their own procedure bylaw, but I digress...Anyhew at this Thursdays Council meeting at 7:00 p.m. County will be approving or not approving of the General Services Committee recommendation.

And there are two pieces of correspondence on the agenda requesting a public meeting be held in conjunction with the Town of Orangeville to provide information on the rail bed. 

Here is a link to the agenda:

http://www.dufferincounty.on.ca/documents/2012-04-12_CC_Agenda.pdf

HA, good luck with that.

TAKE A MINUTE-LEAVE A COMMENT

Ontario currently recycles about 7% of aggregates (sand, stone) compared to 24% in the U.K. 

The primary reason for the low percentage is that the Ontario Government is the largest buyer of aggregate in the province and government policies exclude the use of recycled aggregate.

Simcoe County has submitted its Simcoe Area Multi-Modal Transportation Strategy (30+ year plan) for comment.

Please submit a comment ... "Under the new strategy, Simcoe County and the Ministry of Transportation should plan for greater use of recycled aggregate in the maintenance and establishment of road infrastructure."

You have until April 23 to submit your comments online. 

The link to comment is here:   http://www.ebr.gov.on.ca/ERS-WEB-External/displaynoticecontent.do?noticeId=MTE2MDEx&statusId=MTczNjg5&language=en

The comment button is on the mid-right hand side of the web page.

REPOST-TRAIN TROUBLES

I note someone has asked on facebook for Minebuster to provide details of getting Mayor Adams to talk about the train issue.

So far Orangeville has blocked all attempts for anyone to make a deputation to their Council about the rail issue.

I believe what it will take is a concerted email campaign by Orangeville ratepayers to demand that Orangeville Council hold an information meeting open to the public to provide details and answer questions.

Dufferin ratepayers should also undertake a concerted email campaign to County Councillors, which by golly also includes the Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Orangeville to hold a public information meeting on the same day and time as Orangeville's.

You know, save the taxpayers some money by holding a joint meeting.

In order to get around all the nuances of how they have a meeting and provide tailored information only and not answer questions this would be my suggestion for the email:

FOR ORANGEVILLE CITIZENS:
email address: cjohns@orangeville.ca
with the subject line: Sale of Orangeville Rail line:

(JUST CUT AND PASTE INTO YOUR EMAIL);
Mayor and Council
I am a resident of the Town of Orangeville
I understand that there is a legal agreement for the Town of Orangeville to sell the Orangeville rail line.
I have been unable to find factual information on this proposal and as such I feel that I am not properly informed about this issue.
As this could have potential impacts on my property value, health and safety, quality of space, reduced recreational opportunities, impacts to business operations, I would ask that the Town of Orangeville, in conjunction with the County of Dufferin, hold a meeting, open to the public which will enable the elected officials and staff to explain the details to the public, followed by an open question and answer session.
I look forward to a early response.
(INSERT YOUR NAME)

FOR COUNTY OF DUFFERIN RESIDENTS:
email address: phillock@dufferincounty.on.ca
with the subject line: Sale of County Owned Rail line:

(JUST CUT AND PASTE INTO YOUR EMAIL);
Warden and Dufferin County Council
I am a resident of the County of Dufferin
I understand that there have been discussions about a possible sale of the County owned portion of the rail bed.
I have been unable to find factual information on this proposal and as such I feel that I am not properly informed about this issue.
As this could have potential impacts on my property value, health and safety, quality of space, reduced recreational opportunities, impacts to business operations, I would ask that the County of Dufferin, in conjunction with the Town of Orangeville hold a meeting, open to the public which will enable the elected officials and staff to explain the details to the public, followed by an open question and answer session.
I look forward to a early response.
(INSERT YOUR NAME)

Any responses you get, be sure to post on facebook or under comments on this blog.

And don't forget, if you are a resident of Orangeville, you are also a resident of the County of Dufferin-be sure you send an email to both Orangeville AND the County!!

BE SURE YOU WATCH THE VIDEO ON THIS LINK-IT KINDA SUMS IT ALL UP

http://www.torontosun.com/2012/04/03/power-protest-blows-into-toronto

THIS COMMENT DESERVES ITS OWN POST

Often the comments are better than the blog: 

Monday, April, 02, 2012 - 12:12:15 PM Contributed 
This is the portion of the report from David Williamson's well water test that advises him to boil potentially unsafe water.

Williamson has submitted the samples to the Ministry of the Environment and is awaiting the results of an investigation.

Resident advised to boil well water By Matthew Strader, Enterprise Staff 
The Ministry of the Environment will investigate the possible contamination of water flowing from a resident’s well near the Tottenham pit. At a public information session held by consultants for Brock Aggregates on March 26, members of the public were told that should they have concerns about contaminated well water if the pit at Highway 9 and Mount Wolfe gets its approval, then take it to the ministry and they will determine who is at fault. 

Palgrave resident Dean Williamson, who lives on Highcrest Road, south of the Tottenham pit location at Mount Wolfe Road and Highway 9, is taking his concerns to the ministry after receiving a failed water test from the Ontario Agency for Health Protection and Promotion.

He’s been advised to boil his water before consuming it. 

Brock Aggregates has applied with the Ministry of Natural Resources to amend the license for the pit and increase the amount of extraction below the water table. A local group of concerned citizens is opposing the approval, and contaminated water is just one of their concerns.

Williamson has owned his property for five years. After he and his wife experienced intestinal discomforts over the past couple years, and discussions of the expansion of the Tottenham pit began, Williamson said they decided to have their well water tested. And now they’re boiling drinking water.

“It scared us,” he said. “Absolutely. It’s drinking water, and it’s very important.” Williamson said it’s a weird feeling to have a shower in the morning and wonder if something will make him sick from water in his eye, or ears. He said it’s weird to brush your teeth and focus on ingesting water. “It’s a pretty basic requirement of life (water) and yes, it’s scary to have to think about it this way.”

Williamson doesn’t know if the pit is at fault, and isn’t jumping to conclusions, but he may be the first in the area taking steps to find out. His tests, so far, have been on the water directly from his well. It came back with a warning of unsafe to drink, a boiling advisory basically, and he was advised by the person he dealt with from the Ontario Agency for Health to send the results to the ministry asking for an investigation and do some further testing of the water after it has passed through the various filters it goes through before it enters his home. 

The Palgrave family will now wait for the ministry to respond and further test results to come in. 

Meanwhile, they will be boiling their drinking water.

BAD NEWS PEOPLE

Bad news for Baupost that is!

And as much as I hate to kick a $23 billion hedgefund when they are down, here goes.

Bank of America Corp.  yesterday won dismissal of a lawsuit by investors who wanted the bank to buy back mortgage loans that underlie more than $1.06 billion of securities.

The case is tied to risky home loans issued by Countrywide Financial Corp, which Bank of America bought in 2008. The suit was brought by Walnut Place, a name used by the Baupost Group, a Boston-based hedge fund run by money manager Seth Klarman.http://www.bankerandtradesman.com/news149335.html

And reminiscent of the way they set up a front company in their endeavours here called Highlands, they did the same thing in this lawsuit and until they were finally caught out, kept up the usual corporate mantra, deny, deny, deny

Late Friday, Baupost informed its partners (as the fund calls clients) that it is indeed Walnut Place. But according to a source who disclosed the memo's content to Reuters, the hedge fund said it is litigating to protect its clients' investment -- and not, as a blog suggested Thursday night, because it has shorted Bank of America stock.

http://newsandinsight.thomsonreuters.com/Legal/News/2011/12_-_December/Baupost__We_re_Walnut_Place,_and_we_re_not_shorting_BofA_stock/

What is mostly surprising about this is why in the hell would Baupost ONLY sue for $1 billion?  Did Seth run out of pocket change?