Absolutely excellent post from December 7, 2012 from the Stone Cold Truth Blog-link to the blog below:
There are few industries in the Province of Ontario that are as heavily subsidized as the Aggregate Industry.
How do we subsidize thee? Let us count the ways, or at least a few of them …
1) The Provincial Policy Statement (PPS) requires that Municipalities identify and map all aggregate deposits in their areas. This of course, will be paid for by the Municipalities, or taxpayers. This would be akin to the Federal government (taxpayers) inventorying all gold and oil deposits, so that private companies would not have to spend their money and time to complete these very expensive tasks themselves. An example – the Town of Caledon completed this exercise in 1999 to 2001 at a cost of approximately three million taxpayer dollars.
2) Municipal and provincial roads take a pounding from massively heavy gravel trucks that traverse them. This seems to be “the bone” of contention that the mayors of TAPMO are chewing on. The municipalities and province do not receive enough in “levies” per ton to cover the cost of repairing the damage the aggregate transports do to our roads. So, again, the taxpayers end up building and repairing the roads so the industry can move their goods. The most bizarre point in this scenario is, our government wants cheap gravel, so they don’t raise the per ton levy, but when the roads need repairing because of these trucks, we must buy more aggregate product. So not only do we allow our roads to be destroyed without fair compensation, we give this same business more profits by building and repairing the roads with their product. We can’t even think of an analogy stupid enough to compare this to!
3) To protect aggregate resources, the PPS does not allow homeowners to subdivide their properties, thus preventing a real source of income and wealth for property owners. Even land that is inaccessible by proper transportation routes, and therefore unable to be mined, has been set aside for the preferred industry. Who gets hammered again? – individual landowners and taxpayers. But, when the aggregate operator sees the potential to sell off his pit land for a nice profit, whether the pit is depleted or not, no problemo! (the Brampton Esker for example)
4) When an aggregate owner applies for and announces the application for a pit or quarry, the properties around that area lose their value. The reductions can be anywhere from a 2.5% loss on a property some distance from the pit, or a massive write-down of property value if the property ends up being surrounded by the mining operation. And as usual, the taxpayer, or property owner must “eat” the loss! In addition, the resulting loss of tax base must then be absorbed by the rest of the taxpayers in the municipality! Fair? Only to the aggregate industry!
5) There was a farm property purchased in Caledon, and an application to mine the property for gravel was submitted. The application ran out, so a group of private citizens decided to try and purchase the property. We understand the location was purchased in 2004 for less than $1million. The new asking price, with zero improvements, is now $10 million. Market Value Assessment is supposed to mean taxes based on what a property is worth on the open market. Do the taxes on this property reflect the new value, established by the owner himself? NOPE! So, again, the taxpayers lose, by the aggregate companies not paying their fair share. Why do these companies not pay a realistic tax on a realistic value of their properties?
The bottom line is very clear. The citizens/taxpayers of Ontario exist largely to provide the aggregate industry with a better bottom line!http://stonecoldtruth2011.wordpress.com/2012/12/07/subsidize-me/
Monday, April 29, 2013
Saturday, April 27, 2013
COURTS ARE LOATHE TO QUASH MUNICIPAL BYLAWS
Bluewater taken to court over wind turbine building fees
http://www.southwesternontario.ca/news/bluewater-taken-to-court-over-wind-turbine-building-fees/
"The bylaw would see industrial wind turbine developers pay a $14,000 base permit fee, a $220,000 security per turbine for decommissioning, a $100,000 fee per turbine for matters related to health and property devaluation and a $100,000 fee per turbine for potential legal matters arising as a result of the turbines.
Bluewater chief administrative officer Steve McAuley told the Times-Advocate the municipality received the Notice of Application to quash the bylaw on April 10 and council was informed of the action during an in-camera session at its meeting April 15."
Here is a link to a court case that states municipalities have broad powers to set their own bylaws as long as they have jurisdiction and it is does not constitute a decision that no reasonable elected municipal council could have made. (well except maybe Melancthon).
The bylaw was challenged and stood the test.
http://www.canlii.org/eliisa/highlight.do?text=Catalyst+Paper+corp.+v.+north+cowichan&language=en&searchTitle=Search+all+CanLII+Databases&path=/en/ca/scc/doc/2012/2012scc2/2012scc2.html&searchUrlHash=AAAAAQAmQ2F0YWx5c3QgUGFwZXIgY29ycC4gdi4gbm9ydGggY293aWNoYW4AAAAAAAAB
http://www.southwesternontario.ca/news/bluewater-taken-to-court-over-wind-turbine-building-fees/
"The bylaw would see industrial wind turbine developers pay a $14,000 base permit fee, a $220,000 security per turbine for decommissioning, a $100,000 fee per turbine for matters related to health and property devaluation and a $100,000 fee per turbine for potential legal matters arising as a result of the turbines.
Bluewater chief administrative officer Steve McAuley told the Times-Advocate the municipality received the Notice of Application to quash the bylaw on April 10 and council was informed of the action during an in-camera session at its meeting April 15."
Here is a link to a court case that states municipalities have broad powers to set their own bylaws as long as they have jurisdiction and it is does not constitute a decision that no reasonable elected municipal council could have made. (well except maybe Melancthon).
The bylaw was challenged and stood the test.
http://www.canlii.org/eliisa/highlight.do?text=Catalyst+Paper+corp.+v.+north+cowichan&language=en&searchTitle=Search+all+CanLII+Databases&path=/en/ca/scc/doc/2012/2012scc2/2012scc2.html&searchUrlHash=AAAAAQAmQ2F0YWx5c3QgUGFwZXIgY29ycC4gdi4gbm9ydGggY293aWNoYW4AAAAAAAAB
THE COST OF GREEDY, I MEAN GREEN ENERGY
Interesting excerpts from a Toronto Sun article from a Fraser Institute report:
…says the Ontario government's electricity plan is now 10 times more costly than installing pollution-control equipment on existing coal plants — an option he argues would have produced similar improvements in air quality.
"Provincial efforts to shield these industries through energy subsidy programs only transfer the costs onto Ontario taxpayers who are already dealing with skyrocketing residential electricity prices.
Because of the fluctuating nature of wind and solar power, adding renewable capacity to the grid requires additional backup power from natural gas plants," the report says.
"Ontario currently has a surplus of base-load generating capacity. Further additions to baseload in the form of wind or solar power may require removing a nuclear plant from operation and replacing it with a combination of renewable and gas-fired generation, yielding a net increase in air emissions."
Building a transmission system that can reach wind projects scattered over a large area is also driving up bills issued to ratepayers, the report says.
Big hydro users, like the mining, manufacturing and forestry industries, will be hard hit by rising rates leading to fewer jobs for Ontarians, the report predicts.
http://www.torontosun.com/2013/04/11/wind-power-kills-jobs-and-increases-electricity-costs-report
Friday, April 26, 2013
AND THIS IS WHY YORK REGION IS LOOKING TO DUMP COMPOST IN DUFFERIN
The Ministry of the Environment has withdrawn its last charges against the Halton Recycling plant in Newmarket, (YORK REGION) which were to go to trial this week.
The plant was built to process organic waste from Toronto’s garbage into a useful byproduct, thus diverting organics from landfill. There are many good reasons to keep organics out of landfills, including the problems they cause with methane gas, odours and leachate, and the importance of adding organics back to agricultural soils.
However, diverting organics from landfill can cause odours, and there was substantial conflict over odours between the Town of Newmarket and the plant.
Last year, the company was fined $155,000 for odour related problems, and it faced another set of charges for allegedly breaching its certificate of approval.
Now the MOE has admitted that it had no reasonable prospect of conviction on the additional charges.
Newmarket, (YORK REGION) however, is happy: the plant has shut down permanently, and the land is being rezoned for other uses.
According to the MOE, odours remain the most common cause of closure for organic waste diversion facilities.
Full article here:
AND lots other articles on the same facility causing numerous problems.
Wonder how much it cost the ratepayers to shut them down?
BREAKING ARA NEWS-ANOTHER VICTORY
It took several weeks and many, many e-mails, but we did it!
The review of the outdated Aggregate Resources Act will be completed by the Standing Committee on General Government!
We received word this afternoon that the Liberals had introduced a motion in the House to resume the ARA review.
The House voted unanimously in favour of the motion and so the Committee is now authorized to finish the job that began one year ago.
The Committee members will meet Monday to discuss their schedule and the writing of the final report.
If not for the mega quarry fight, a review of the ARA would not have been ordered by the province.
If not for all of you, your tenacity and keyboards, the ARA review may not have been completed. People Power works!
Thank you!
Donna Tranquada
The review of the outdated Aggregate Resources Act will be completed by the Standing Committee on General Government!
We received word this afternoon that the Liberals had introduced a motion in the House to resume the ARA review.
The House voted unanimously in favour of the motion and so the Committee is now authorized to finish the job that began one year ago.
The Committee members will meet Monday to discuss their schedule and the writing of the final report.
If not for the mega quarry fight, a review of the ARA would not have been ordered by the province.
If not for all of you, your tenacity and keyboards, the ARA review may not have been completed. People Power works!
Thank you!
Donna Tranquada
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
THE TRUTH ABOUT DEEP SIXING THE DEEP PLANT
I was overjoyed when I read that Melancthon Mayor Hill wanted to move a motion at the last County Council meeting to deep six the DEEP plant.
However, there was caution in the air and Mayor Hill was advised to wait until everyone had time to think about it.
Mayor Hill said, okay, but he would be back, with his motion.
And now, just like clear garbage bags, the reason is clear as to why there was the suggestion to wait.
On tonight's April 23, 2013 committee agenda is an item where York Region is really, really really interested in outright purchasing the Dufferin County DEEP site on which they can locate THEIR Source Separated Organics (SSO) Facility and of course truck THEIR garbage to the site.
However, there was caution in the air and Mayor Hill was advised to wait until everyone had time to think about it.
Mayor Hill said, okay, but he would be back, with his motion.
And now, just like clear garbage bags, the reason is clear as to why there was the suggestion to wait.
On tonight's April 23, 2013 committee agenda is an item where York Region is really, really really interested in outright purchasing the Dufferin County DEEP site on which they can locate THEIR Source Separated Organics (SSO) Facility and of course truck THEIR garbage to the site.
WTF?
Click here for the staff report http://www.dufferincounty.ca/files/uploads/201304190506232013-04-19_Community_Development_agenda.pdf
You will note unlike the clear bags, County staff reports lack full transparency.
On the report are a couple sections of note titled:
Local Municipal Impact
There is no immediate local impact.
(MINEBUSTERS NOTE: I bet if people knew about it there would be an immediate local impact, being a shit storm of outrage. Do the legwork and provide the local impact, traffic, loss of value on your home, smell, etc.)
Financial, Staffing, Legal, or IT Considerations
The responsibility for and cost of preparing the site outside the designated for the SSO facility area rests with the County of Dufferin.
(MINEBUSTERS NOTE: Well then what are the costs? SET THEM OUT IN THE REPORT)
You may recall that this is the mess that was created around the uploading of waste to the County "considerations". There was not a single pencil put to paper to figure out the cost/benefit analysis of the excercise before it was voted on.
York Region is a BIG place, let them site their facility in THEIR municipal boundary, rather than truck it to Dufferin.
Here is a list of all the County Councillors who will be voting on this at the next Council meeting, if this recommendation passes committee tonight.
Let them know how you feel, even if you DO support this.
Laura Ryan Warden
Rob Adams Councillor
Ken Bennington Councillor
Rhonda Campbell Moon Councillor
Ed Crewson Councillor
Bill Hill Councillor
Walter Kolodziechuk Councillor
Don MacIver Councillor
Warren Maycock Councillor
Ken McGhee Councillor
Paul Mills Councillor
John Oosterhof Councillor
Allen Taylor Councillor
Darren White Councillor
TRUTH AND TRANSPARENCY AND CLEAR BAGS
I have to be honest.
When I read in the paper County Councillor White's comment : ... the policy (clear bags) would help increase diversion rates as well as reduce injuries to waste collectors. “People hide all kinds of things in coloured bags. Picking up garbage is currently the fourth most dangerous occupation in North America,” I scoffed in disbelief.
And then I did my homework.
Depending on which google search you land on, garbage collecting ranks as the 4th to the 10th most dangerous job in North America.
So fair enough.
HOWEVER the reasons for this are not because people are not using clear bags.
The reason for the injuries and death is garbage collectors get hit by traffic, run over by the garbage truck, things fall on them or are ejected from the truck, etc. etc.
So my disbelief about the dangerous job is unfounded, but the clear bag is an incorrect statement about reducing injuries.
Read the entire article about the clear bag issue at County Council here: http://www.orangeville.com/news-story/2533413-county-clear-on-garbage-bag-issue/
And trust me, clear bags are NOT the biggest issue.
What is the number we call every garbage day from Melancthon when our blue/green boxes and clear bags are blown away, run over by a snowplough or blow out in front of vehicles and cause accidents?
Just wondering.
When I read in the paper County Councillor White's comment : ... the policy (clear bags) would help increase diversion rates as well as reduce injuries to waste collectors. “People hide all kinds of things in coloured bags. Picking up garbage is currently the fourth most dangerous occupation in North America,” I scoffed in disbelief.
And then I did my homework.
Depending on which google search you land on, garbage collecting ranks as the 4th to the 10th most dangerous job in North America.
So fair enough.
HOWEVER the reasons for this are not because people are not using clear bags.
The reason for the injuries and death is garbage collectors get hit by traffic, run over by the garbage truck, things fall on them or are ejected from the truck, etc. etc.
So my disbelief about the dangerous job is unfounded, but the clear bag is an incorrect statement about reducing injuries.
Read the entire article about the clear bag issue at County Council here: http://www.orangeville.com/news-story/2533413-county-clear-on-garbage-bag-issue/
And trust me, clear bags are NOT the biggest issue.
What is the number we call every garbage day from Melancthon when our blue/green boxes and clear bags are blown away, run over by a snowplough or blow out in front of vehicles and cause accidents?
Just wondering.
Thursday, April 18, 2013
TORNADO IN MELANCTHON
Media is reporting a tornado in Melancthon.
Twitter is probably the best source of information.
Twitter is probably the best source of information.
Saturday, April 13, 2013
JENNIFER WIDBUR BREAST CANCER TOURNAMENT IN HONEYWOOD THIS WEEKEND
Be sure you drop by the Honeywood area over the weekend, watch some great women's hockey, for a great cause in memory of a wonderful person, wife and mother.
GOT A MINUTE TO SEND AN EMAIL?
This is from NDACT's website and is there most recent CALL TO ACTION. Please take a minute and write.
It's been nearly a year since public hearings were held into the Aggregate Resources Act.
Excellent, thoughtful presentations were made by agricultural stakeholders and mega quarry opponents. The hearings were packed and change was in the air.
But, we've learned the Standing Committee on General Government now wants to focus on traffic congestion and auto insurance.
Any further delay in reviewing the ARA means a further delay in revising the legislation. Our prime farmland and source water regions remain at risk!
Below is a template letter addressed to the Committee urging its members to finish the job. The e-mail addresses of the Committee MPPs and Chairman are also provided. (NOTE: Minebuster has included Minster Jeffrey's, Premier Wynne and Sylvia Jone's emails, please circulate to them as well) You can copy and paste them all into one email.
Please add your own thoughts/experience/expertise to the letter.
Let us know what responses you receive, if any by sending responses received to info@ndact.com
Write to:
Bas Balkissoon, Chairman bbalkissoon.mpp@liberal.ola.org
Donna Cansfield dcansfield.mpp@liberal.ola.org
Rick Bartolucci rbartolucci.mpp@liberal.ola.org
Sarah Campbell scampbell-qp@ndp.on.ca
Mike Colle mcolle.mpp@liberal.ola.org
Rosario Marchese rmarchese-qp@ndp.on.ca
Laurie Scott laurie.scott@pc.ola.org
Todd Smith todd.smith@pc.ola.org
Jeff Yurek jeff.yurek@pc.ola.org
Kathleen Wynne premier@ontario.ca
Linda Jeffrey ljeffrey.mpp@liberal.ola.org
Sylvia Jones sylvia.jonesco@pc.ola.org
To the members of the Standing Committee on General Government:
I am writing to urge you to resume the review of the Aggregate Resources Act.
This important process was ordered by the government in the fall of 2011 in response to the proposed Highland mega quarry. The application for the largest quarry in Canadian history on the best farmland in Ontario and at the headwaters of five river systems, exposed the many flaws in the outdated ARA.
Public hearings were held last spring, yet the job is far from done.
I understand that the Committee is now focusing on auto insurance and traffic congestion. While these are worthy matters to study, the review of the ARA has not yet been completed. Why would the Committee head off in a new direction when there is vital work to be done on the ARA?
As you'll recall, the Committee heard from an array of presenters last spring, including many agricultural stakeholders. Several of those who made submissions were individuals who had never before participated in public hearings. They spent a great amount of time researching and writing their presentations. Their speeches outlined the value of agriculture to Ontario, its importance to our economic health and the well-being of our fellow citizens.
All of the agricultural stakeholders stressed that prime farmland is at risk under the ARA. Indeed, at the end of the Toronto hearings, a member of the Committee stated "Clearly, there's an urgency to protect prime farmland."
It is critical that the review of the ARA be completed.
Those who participated in the process deserve to have their submissions respected and also reflected in a final report. I urge the Committee to continue its work on the ARA. The interests of a growing number of Ontarians will not be served if the ARA review is further delayed or shelved.
Yours sincerely,
It's been nearly a year since public hearings were held into the Aggregate Resources Act.
Excellent, thoughtful presentations were made by agricultural stakeholders and mega quarry opponents. The hearings were packed and change was in the air.
But, we've learned the Standing Committee on General Government now wants to focus on traffic congestion and auto insurance.
Any further delay in reviewing the ARA means a further delay in revising the legislation. Our prime farmland and source water regions remain at risk!
Below is a template letter addressed to the Committee urging its members to finish the job. The e-mail addresses of the Committee MPPs and Chairman are also provided. (NOTE: Minebuster has included Minster Jeffrey's, Premier Wynne and Sylvia Jone's emails, please circulate to them as well) You can copy and paste them all into one email.
Please add your own thoughts/experience/expertise to the letter.
Let us know what responses you receive, if any by sending responses received to info@ndact.com
Write to:
Bas Balkissoon, Chairman bbalkissoon.mpp@liberal.ola.org
Donna Cansfield dcansfield.mpp@liberal.ola.org
Rick Bartolucci rbartolucci.mpp@liberal.ola.org
Sarah Campbell scampbell-qp@ndp.on.ca
Mike Colle mcolle.mpp@liberal.ola.org
Rosario Marchese rmarchese-qp@ndp.on.ca
Laurie Scott laurie.scott@pc.ola.org
Todd Smith todd.smith@pc.ola.org
Jeff Yurek jeff.yurek@pc.ola.org
Kathleen Wynne premier@ontario.ca
Linda Jeffrey ljeffrey.mpp@liberal.ola.org
Sylvia Jones sylvia.jonesco@pc.ola.org
To the members of the Standing Committee on General Government:
I am writing to urge you to resume the review of the Aggregate Resources Act.
This important process was ordered by the government in the fall of 2011 in response to the proposed Highland mega quarry. The application for the largest quarry in Canadian history on the best farmland in Ontario and at the headwaters of five river systems, exposed the many flaws in the outdated ARA.
Public hearings were held last spring, yet the job is far from done.
I understand that the Committee is now focusing on auto insurance and traffic congestion. While these are worthy matters to study, the review of the ARA has not yet been completed. Why would the Committee head off in a new direction when there is vital work to be done on the ARA?
As you'll recall, the Committee heard from an array of presenters last spring, including many agricultural stakeholders. Several of those who made submissions were individuals who had never before participated in public hearings. They spent a great amount of time researching and writing their presentations. Their speeches outlined the value of agriculture to Ontario, its importance to our economic health and the well-being of our fellow citizens.
All of the agricultural stakeholders stressed that prime farmland is at risk under the ARA. Indeed, at the end of the Toronto hearings, a member of the Committee stated "Clearly, there's an urgency to protect prime farmland."
It is critical that the review of the ARA be completed.
Those who participated in the process deserve to have their submissions respected and also reflected in a final report. I urge the Committee to continue its work on the ARA. The interests of a growing number of Ontarians will not be served if the ARA review is further delayed or shelved.
Yours sincerely,
Thursday, April 11, 2013
MOST POPULAR POSTS IN THE ENTIRE HISTORY OF THIS BLOG
BAUPOST GROUP SETH KLARMAN BAUPOST GROUP
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THIS COMMENT DESERVES ITS OWN POST
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CREWSON CLAIRVOYANT?
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BAD NEWS PEOPLE
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Feb 18, 2012, 1 comment
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Apr 1, 2012
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OFFLINE
Aug 20, 2010, 4 comments
785 views
YOUR TURN HIGHLANDS/BAUPOST
Oct 17, 2011, 1 comment
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THINK ABOUT THIS
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ADIOS OLD FRIEND
Jun 23, 2011, 5 comments
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I CAN SEE CLEARLY NOW ....
Excerpt from the Orangeville Citizen:
Dufferin County Waste Services are launching their new curbside waste collection program on June 1st.
The new program includes an edited collection schedule, introduction of curbside pickup for Melancthon, and a clear garbage bag rule.
Out of all the changes and additions to this program, the new rule on clear garbage bags only is a hotly debated topic.
http://www.citizen.on.ca/news/2013-04-11/Local_News/New_waste_program_Countys_making_it_clear.html
Sorry, that is NOT the only contested issue in this entire debacle.
The fact that not a single pencil was put to paper to figure out the cost benefit to each municipality prior to uploading to the County IS an issue.
The fact that Mono and Mulmur will see much higher costs, while Orangeville and Shelburne benefit IS an issue.
Read the article and be sure to read the comments.
Dufferin County Waste Services are launching their new curbside waste collection program on June 1st.
The new program includes an edited collection schedule, introduction of curbside pickup for Melancthon, and a clear garbage bag rule.
Out of all the changes and additions to this program, the new rule on clear garbage bags only is a hotly debated topic.
http://www.citizen.on.ca/news/2013-04-11/Local_News/New_waste_program_Countys_making_it_clear.html
Sorry, that is NOT the only contested issue in this entire debacle.
The fact that not a single pencil was put to paper to figure out the cost benefit to each municipality prior to uploading to the County IS an issue.
The fact that Mono and Mulmur will see much higher costs, while Orangeville and Shelburne benefit IS an issue.
Read the article and be sure to read the comments.
ADDING INSULT TO INJURY?
Excerpt from the Orangeville Citizen about the DEEP plant:
... NRG vice-president Ken Willis... said most of the investment candidates for DEEP decided against Navitus “because of the absence of policy.
“Regarding the sale of electricity, the Ontario Power Authority does not have a set tariff for waste, and Power Purchase Agreements (PPA) are done on an ad hoc basis via directives from the Minister of Energy.”
Mr. Willis said that NRG has incurred about $1 million in development costs to date, and expects that a further $2 million to $3 million would be required.
Although not saying he would expect the county to contribute that amount, he said that “to move forward we will require a more active involvement of the county in the project, which would include funding development capital and facility ownership of municipal bond financing to be made available.”
http://www.citizen.on.ca/news/2013-04-11/Front_Page/DEEP_gasification_plant_facing_investor_problem.html
Huh? He says he would not expect the county to contribute, but they require a more active involvement of the county....including financing???
Then that is EXACTLY what he is saying, pony up the County cash....
I can not believe a single County politician would support paying $2 to $3 million toward the DEEP plant when the proponent says they can't get private investors because it isn't viable and it is risky.
PLUS?? PLUS, paying millions of taxpayers money to situate a gasification plant in the unwilling host community would seem not to be a good election platform and would be a slap in the face to taxpayers.
... NRG vice-president Ken Willis... said most of the investment candidates for DEEP decided against Navitus “because of the absence of policy.
“Regarding the sale of electricity, the Ontario Power Authority does not have a set tariff for waste, and Power Purchase Agreements (PPA) are done on an ad hoc basis via directives from the Minister of Energy.”
Mr. Willis said that NRG has incurred about $1 million in development costs to date, and expects that a further $2 million to $3 million would be required.
Although not saying he would expect the county to contribute that amount, he said that “to move forward we will require a more active involvement of the county in the project, which would include funding development capital and facility ownership of municipal bond financing to be made available.”
http://www.citizen.on.ca/news/2013-04-11/Front_Page/DEEP_gasification_plant_facing_investor_problem.html
Huh? He says he would not expect the county to contribute, but they require a more active involvement of the county....including financing???
Then that is EXACTLY what he is saying, pony up the County cash....
I can not believe a single County politician would support paying $2 to $3 million toward the DEEP plant when the proponent says they can't get private investors because it isn't viable and it is risky.
PLUS?? PLUS, paying millions of taxpayers money to situate a gasification plant in the unwilling host community would seem not to be a good election platform and would be a slap in the face to taxpayers.
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
SPRING IS HERE
Spring is here and while it is still too wet to get out on the land, if you want to spruce up the place, get a new lawn sign.
Replace your Stop the Quarry with a Food and Water First sign-for free!!
Details here:
NDACT Lawn Signs and Stickers Open House
Sunday April 14, 9:00 – 12:00
527507 5 Sideroad just west of 4th Line E (2 Lines west of Stanton Store on Airport) Phone: 519-925-0347
This Open House for anyone wishing to purchase, exchange, bring some to Toronto, etc.
Preferred Donation (this is an at-cost initiative):
• Exchange for old signs – free
• New Lawn Signs - $5-$10
• Bumper Stickers - $5
• Round Decals - $2
PS Be sure to check sign bylaws in your municipality. Generally if the sign is on YOUR property and not the road allowance, you can post it.
Replace your Stop the Quarry with a Food and Water First sign-for free!!
Details here:
NDACT Lawn Signs and Stickers Open House
Sunday April 14, 9:00 – 12:00
527507 5 Sideroad just west of 4th Line E (2 Lines west of Stanton Store on Airport) Phone: 519-925-0347
This Open House for anyone wishing to purchase, exchange, bring some to Toronto, etc.
Preferred Donation (this is an at-cost initiative):
• Exchange for old signs – free
• New Lawn Signs - $5-$10
• Bumper Stickers - $5
• Round Decals - $2
PS Be sure to check sign bylaws in your municipality. Generally if the sign is on YOUR property and not the road allowance, you can post it.
IN THE HILLS AND IN PARTICULAR, TIME SHUFF, DOES IT AGAIN!!
"Before the fight to stop the mega quarry attracted national attention, it began in local farm kitchens such as the Armstrongs’.
Now snug in his mother’s arms at the table with three generations of his family, baby Derek attended his first anti-quarry rally when he was just three weeks old.
He is the latest addition to a family that first tilled soil in the area in 1853, and he represents the hope for the future as his grandfather Ralph Armstrong and other activists turn their attention beyond Melancthon to secure permanent protection for prime farmland and source water for Derek and generations to follow.
On a cold February evening in Honeywood, at the Taters Not Craters party held to celebrate the demise of the mega quarry, a cheer erupts when three-week-old Derek Martin is held aloft like a newborn king. As the grandson of Redickville farmers Ralph and Mary Lynne Armstrong, tiny Derek represents the seventh generation of the family who took up farming here in 1853."
Read the entire article: http://www.ndact.com/index.php/qfood-a-water-firstq/fwaf-media-stories-magazinesnewspapers/740-the-battle-shifts-gear
Now snug in his mother’s arms at the table with three generations of his family, baby Derek attended his first anti-quarry rally when he was just three weeks old.
He is the latest addition to a family that first tilled soil in the area in 1853, and he represents the hope for the future as his grandfather Ralph Armstrong and other activists turn their attention beyond Melancthon to secure permanent protection for prime farmland and source water for Derek and generations to follow.
On a cold February evening in Honeywood, at the Taters Not Craters party held to celebrate the demise of the mega quarry, a cheer erupts when three-week-old Derek Martin is held aloft like a newborn king. As the grandson of Redickville farmers Ralph and Mary Lynne Armstrong, tiny Derek represents the seventh generation of the family who took up farming here in 1853."
Read the entire article: http://www.ndact.com/index.php/qfood-a-water-firstq/fwaf-media-stories-magazinesnewspapers/740-the-battle-shifts-gear
Tuesday, April 9, 2013
WONDERFUL ARTICLE
My favourite quote from the article below?
Ralph and Mary Lynne Armstrong stood on a small hill at Woodbine Park last October (2012) and were amazed by what they saw.
“My heart was so thankful that people understood the mega quarry had to be stopped,” says Mary Lynne Armstrong.
“The sight of that huge crowd brought tears to my eyes.”
http://www.ndact.com/images/agendas-press-releases/dq-local-mag.pdf
Picture of Ralph and Mary Lynne
Picture of Author "Donna the Dynamo"
-L.jpg)
Ralph and Mary Lynne Armstrong stood on a small hill at Woodbine Park last October (2012) and were amazed by what they saw.
“My heart was so thankful that people understood the mega quarry had to be stopped,” says Mary Lynne Armstrong.
“The sight of that huge crowd brought tears to my eyes.”
http://www.ndact.com/images/agendas-press-releases/dq-local-mag.pdf
Picture of Ralph and Mary Lynne
Picture of Author "Donna the Dynamo"
Monday, April 8, 2013
FIRST NATIONS WALK TO STOP THE QUARRY
Who could forget two years ago on an Easter weekend when our First Nation friends walked four days from Queen's Park in Toronto to emerge through the fog at Jim Black's farm for a potluck and congratulations.
They walked to protest the Quarry.
One of those participants, Pat, pictured below, is now at Springwater park, protesting the lack of First Nations consultation by the provincial government in the way they are handling the park closure.
Stop by and visit her, take a hot coffee, something to eat, just say Hi!
Springwater Park is on Hwy 26, south on Nursery Road.
They walked to protest the Quarry.
One of those participants, Pat, pictured below, is now at Springwater park, protesting the lack of First Nations consultation by the provincial government in the way they are handling the park closure.
Stop by and visit her, take a hot coffee, something to eat, just say Hi!
Springwater Park is on Hwy 26, south on Nursery Road.
Thursday, April 4, 2013
FIREFIGHTERS FIGHTING EACH OTHER INSTEAD OF FIRES
Rosemont Firechief quits over dispute with Mulmur
http://www.madhunt.com/rosemont-chief-resigns-20130403.html
Chief MacIsaac's resignations comes in the midst of objections mostly from Mulmur Township with regards to adding more part-time firefighters to the Rosemont roster. Additionally, the Mulmur Melancthon Fire Department (MMFD) which complained in a letter to the Rosemont department, that they are not being called out in mutual aid situations.
When you read the minutes and letter which was written by the Chair of the Mulmur Melancthon Fire Board, it SEEMS the issue is that
- Mulmur pays 52% of the operating budget of the Rosemont fire department
- Mulmur pays 1/3 of capital costs
- Rosemont has three fire stations to which Mulmur contributes
- Rosemont has 27 or 37 fire fighters, not sure
- Mulmur Melancthon fire department is not being called out, even if they are closer to the emergency, but rather Rosemont is taking the calls
- If the draft budget goes through as is, it represents a 14% increase (and this is a DRAFT budget, not the final one, so don't crap yer pants just yet)
You try and figure out whether this is an issue of which fire
http://www.mulmurtownship.ca/images/PDFS/FIRE/ROSEMONT/2013.PKGS/2013.mar.11.pkg.pdf
All I do know is it better get figured out and quick.
NOW that this is in the public realm, if something happens, like a slow response time due to perceived jurisdictional issues and there is a loss of life, you can guess there be the expected lawsuit.
And as always, it is the taxpayers that will be on the hook.
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
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