HERE IS HOW YOU READ BETWEEN THE POLITICSPEAK

Minutes from the GENERAL GOVERNMENT SERVICES Committee meeting held on April 18, 2011 – Item 5



CAO & DEPARTMENT HEAD RECRUITMENT – DISCUSSION (referred from Council April 14, 2011)


The Committee discussed the CAO and Department Head Recruitment Process and made suggestions for changes to the policy regarding the short-listing process, interviews and final candidate selection.


Moved by Councillor Campbell Moon, seconded by Councillor Bennington


THAT staff be directed to incorporate draft changes as discussed regarding the hiring policy and report back to the next General Government Services Committee.


-Carried-
 
You know what this means?  County Council members felt the process was either not fair, OR transparent or didn't work.
 
In fact I heard through the grapevine that the outgoing CAO sat in on the interviews.  Seriously how inappropriate is that?  Of course it isn't out of character for her, she wanted to control the show to the very end.

HUNTER & ASSOCIATES

Another expert heard from on the Highlands proposal:

http://66.212.167.146/MelancthonMegaQuarry/

In case you are wondering, NONE of it supports anything IN the Highlands proposal.

TOTALLY STEALING THIS FROM FACEBOOK STOP THE QUARRY SITE

"When the limestone's gone, we won't be sorry. 

We'll have a lovely little farm at the bottom of the quarry..."

(Author/artist: Gail Prussky)

COMPLETE FREEDOM OF SPEECH

There has been a glitch at blogspot, the people who provide this great service that lets nobodies like me post all their thoughts and every action on line for the whole world to read about, have been experiencing problems for a few days.

Some posts/comments and stuff were missing.

All has been restored and all is right with the world so post away!!

NOW FOR SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT

Shelburne Creative Arts is holding their annual spring concert on May 28 at 7 pm, Trinity United Church in Shelburne (200 Owen Sound Street, Shelburne).

The kids will be performing at the concert and while we are fighting to save their water and future, showing up at the concert is another way to show we support them.

A GOOD BLOG

I have found another good blog (besides this one ;) at the link below. 

LOTS of local issues, including the quarry. 

YES, it is also a business blog for a real estate agent, but one who seems to realize that without houses, water and with 7,200 trucks a day on local roads, there won't be much business for any real estate agents or really anyone.  The entire area will be the corporation of the Baupost Group and for their profits only. 

Interestingly enough, the blogger's name is Waters...get it?  water/Highlands....

I understand alot of real estate agents have risen to the challenge and are mobilizing to assist in efforts to stop the quarry, so thank you.

http://orangevillemarketwatch.typepad.com/thewatersgroupjournal/2011/05/index.html

GRAND RIVER CONSERVATION AUTHORITY (GRCA)

Selected excerpts from the GRCA's response to Highlands proposal:

"the statement on page 22 (Volume 2) that groundwater movement through bedrock is typically slower than through a porous material...is completely misleading...."

"the discussion included in the Dundalk Municipal water supply is out of date"

"the assumption on page 62 that agricultural water use is continuous and 100% consumptive is not credible"

"a base case has not been presented"

"this means that the quarry must be dewatered at a rate possibly exceeding 600million litres/day perpetually, which would seem challenging'

"On page 73 it is indicated that a similar system is operating at the Milton Quarry.....we were only able to determine that a similar system is proposed for the Milton Quarry..."

"the potential clogging of recharge wells is discussed on page 77, but the conclusions are not supported in the text."

"a number of important details on the proposed water management system are not provided in the report..."

I mean, need I go on?

You could make a drinking game out of this, and everytime the GRCA points out something implausable in Highlands reports take a drink, but seriously you would be completely hammered by the end of the first page.  What's the fun in that?

ANOTHER MEDIA SOURCE HEARD FROM...AND THANKS.

http://www.homemakers.com/blog/ecologic/2011/05/09/community-fights-mega-quarry/

GOLDHAWK

This morning at some point between 11 am and 1 pm Goldhawk will be talking again about the quarry issue.  Zoomer radio 740 am.

If you get a chance listen and call in to speak if you want. 

THIS SHOULD SPEED THINGS UP

Orangeville to take $3.1M revenue hit in next 10 years

http://www.orangeville.com/news/local/article/1005303--town-to-take-3-1m-revenue-hit-in-next-10-years

This is about an OMB ruling on Development Charges that didn't go in favour of Mayor Robbing Adams - so now the taxpayers will pay, yet again.

In my opinion I would think it makes him all the more desperate to get his $5 for the sale of Orangeville's rail line and a $2 million BONUS when County land, land Orangeville doesn't even own, but do hold a weighted vote, gets sold to Highlands too.

AS IT HAPPENS

As it happens, there was an interview today on As It Happens, CBC radio.

Melancthon Mayor Bill Hill had a clip which was good.

Then Linda Jeffrey, the Honourable Minister of Natural Resources was interviewed.

Here is the link:
http://www.cbc.ca/video/#/Radio/As_It_Happens/1492126828/ID=1915970102

The interview at the above link starts at 7:10 minutes.  The environmental assessment question (will there be an EA) is asked at 10:00 minutes; 10:43 minutes at 10:56 minutes and finally at 11:39 minutes at which point the interviewer gives up.
 
Minister Jeffrey advised that the Ministry of Environment has objected to the application and at 12:54 minutes there is a comment about the Environmental Commissioner objecting to the entire aggregate application.
 
At 14:03 the Minister acknowledges she knows nothing about the misrepresentation by the Highland Companies regarding their intent when they purchased the land (honestly, has she heard of google?) and finally the icing on the cake at 14:17 when her comment about meeting with Melancthon and telling them the best they can hope for is a nice golf course.
 
Of course, WE all know she made those comments in February 2011 at OGRA/ROMA to our Mayor and Deputy and yet she recalls a meeting last SUMMER where she made these statements.  

AND whether it was February 2011 (which it was) or summer 2010, there was no application filed at either time so why would a Minister in charge of approving or turning down the application make any statement like that?
 
OMG.... STOP THE MASSHOLE

ABSOLUTELY EXCELLENT WEBSITE ABOUT QUARRIES

http://www.ebr.gov.on.ca/ERS-WEB-External/displaynoticecontent.do?noticeId=MTEzMTQ3&statusId=MTY5NjAy&language=en

The site is called Goodquarry and it is out of England.

It talks about things like rehabilitation.  You know, how Highlands is going to rehabilitate the land for farming?  Well this site talks about what happens when soil is stored.  (Something NOT address in the 3,000 pages of clap trap provided by Highlands as their aggregate application).

What happens when you store soil?

"Chemical changes occur in soil as microbial populations die, especially if the stored soil is compacted and anaerobic. This may lead to the build up of toxic substances. Soils stored in heaps less than 1.5m high suffer minimal damage for up to a year; after that the structure and chemical composition gradually deteriorates. "

What about the impact of blasting on livestock?  (Something else Highlands didn't address in their application)

"There is some suggestion that livestock may be affected by noise/vibration."

When you view the site in detail, it is clear it is funded by the aggregate industry, although there are very telling facts on the site, that even the industry couldn't hide. 

And also, remember,  this is modelled on legislation and regulations in England so the health & safety standards and noise standards may be different. 

Things that are universal are dust issues, water issues, etc.  Sort of something like this statement: 

"Dust may have physical effects on plants such as blockage and damage to stomata, shading, abrasion of leaf surface or cuticle, and cumulative effects e.g. drought stress on already stressed species. The chemical effects of dust, either directly on the plant surface or on the soil, are likely to be more important than any physical effects. Dust deposited on the ground may produce changes in soil chemistry, which may in the longer-term result in changes in plant chemistry, species competition and community structure."

STRADA EBR

Environmental Bill Regsitry for Strada:
http://www.ebr.gov.on.ca/ERS-WEB-External/displaynoticecontent.do?noticeId=MTEzMTQ3&statusId=MTY5NjAy&language=en

TAKE THE DAY OFF AND GO PHONE YOUR MOM!

Phone your Mom, take her out to lunch/dinner and wish her a Happy Mothers Day!!

FEELING A LITTLE TARGETED?

Wonder if Johnny, Michael and Seth are feeling a little like this:

It has been a rough month.

SUZUKI FOUNDATION

Hey Highlands, read this and weep:

http://www.davidsuzuki.org/blogs/panther-lounge/2011/05/billion-tonne-mega-quarry-to-improve-the-local-environment/

WHIRLWIND

Hokey smokes.

A 5 day Native March;
A royal wedding;
A federal election;
A burial at sea;
A partridge in a pear tree!!

Once I catch my breath, blogs will be fast and furious.  Not factually correct, entertaining or even remotely of interest, but they will be fast and furious!!

DUFFERIN CALEDON FEDERAL ELECTION RESULTS

Tilson-C
Van Leeuwen-G
NDP-whoever it was, didn't see a sign, a brochure or an ad
Prout-L

A COOL WEBSITE

This is a pretty cool website. 

It records all power outages in Ontario for people on the Hydro One system. 

Of course you can only check it if you have hydro, a little flaw in the design, but otherwise, it is a great site.

You will need high speed to view this:

http://www.hydroone.com/stormcenter/

SUZUKI FOUNDATION FINDINGS

There is a link to the Suzuki Foundation letter of objection to Highlands proposal posted on the Stop the Quarry facebook site (and a link was provided in yesterdays post on this blog).

Most of it, well almost ALL of it, is clearly above this blogger's level of understanding, but something written in plain language jumped out at me.

The Suzuki Foundation states on page 6 of their objection letter in reference to the studies Highlands did on the Pine River that Highlands experts conclude:
"...that there is an extensive area of fish habitat in the area above the proposed license area and below it but, according to the Stantec report, not through it".

So with my limited knowledge and intelligence, this would only make me come to the conclusion that we have a rare, rare type of fish in this area, flying trout.  I mean how else would the trout be able to nagivate the Pine River water system since they don't go THROUGH the license area, but are located both above and below it. 

Hokey smokes, stop the application!!!

EVEN MORE MEGA MEDIA ON THE MELANCTHON MEGA MINE (M3)

Owen Sound Sun Times-Council delegation to Southgate
http://www.owensoundsuntimes.com/PrintArticle.aspx?e=3094217

Toronto Star-Minister extends EBR deadline for submissions
http://www.thestar.com/news/article/982236--deadline-for-input-on-mega-quarry-extended-sort-of

Council of Canadians-quotes by Jim Black & Danny Beaton
http://www.canadians.org/activistblog/?tag=seth-klarman

Toronto Star letter to editor –rocks are indigestible
http://www.thestar.com/opinion/letters/article/982287--mega-quarry-plan-a-disaster

Ontario Farmer-National Farmers Union says quarry should not proceed
http://www.ontariofarmer.com/sitepages/?aid=3676&cn=QUICK%20LINKS&an=NFU%20says%20Melancthon%20quarry%20should%20not%20proceed

David Suzuki Foundation letter of opposition:
http://www.scribd.com/doc/54226380/DSF-Highlands-Companies-Aggregate-Proposal-Letter-to-OMNR-Final
(BAUPOST INVESTORS: Since Lowndes and Daniher probably won't tell you who Suzuki is, google him, you might be surprised)

MORE MEDIA

Many of these articles contain much the same information, but look at the widespread coverage gained!!

Carl Cosack comments on Seth Klarman's limestone quarry
http://www.gurufocus.com/news/130009/interview-with-ndat-regarding-seth-klarmans-lime-quarry-in-melanchton-ontario

Orangeville banner reporter walks the walk
http://www.orangeville.com/news/local/article/999138--a-mile-in-their-shoes

Letter to editor: Highlands will be an experiment
http://www.orangeville.com/opinion/letters/article/999056--our-water-is-our-legacy

Editorial on community engagement-the walk is mentioned
http://www.orangeville.com/opinion/editorial/article/999016--in-pursuit-of-participation

City of Guelph supports extension on comments
http://www.guelphmercury.com/news/local/article/523184--guelph-councillors-support-extension-for-quarry-comments

Minister provides Extension for quarry comments on Environmental Bill Registry
http://www.citizen.on.ca/news/2011-04-28/Front_Page/Minister_extends_deadline_for_quarry_comments.html


Peter Taubins at Queen’s Park rally to Stop the Quarry
http://www.citizen.on.ca/news/2011-04-28/Front_Page/AT_QUEENS_PARK.html

Farmer feed cities, but only if they’ve got land
http://www.citizen.on.ca/news/2011-04-28/Front_Page/Marchers_draw_support_in_quarry_fight.html

Southgate supports quarry request for extension
http://www.mountforest.com/news/article/97881

Quarry Protest
http://torontoist.com/2011/04/scene_quarry_protest_march.php

Six inches of topsoil from desolation-from Cape Breton news
http://www.capebretonpost.com/Opinion/Editorial/2011-04-27/article-2456639/Six-inches-from-desolation/1

Ontario Mega Quarry riles up local farmers-from a hedgefund on line news source
http://www.hedgefundlounge.com/2011/04/ontario-mega-quarry-riles-up-local-farmers/

Quarry would be deeper than Niagara Falls, from a Toronto on-line activist site
http://rabble.ca/blogs/bloggers/krystalline-kraus/2011/04/activist-communiqu%C3%A9-potential-quarry-will-be-deeper-niagara

Much the same information but in Pacific Free Press news
http://www.pacificfreepress.com/news/1/8579-us-hedge-fund-threatens-ontario-farmland-and-water-security.html

Council of Canadians article
http://www.canadians.org/campaignblog/?p=7626

680 news
http://www.680news.com/news/local/article/216685--farmers-and-first-nations-on-third-day-of-a-five-day-march-against-hedge-fund-mega-quarry

Hedgefund on line news-Seth Klarman buys land worth 120 BILLION for 80 MILLION
http://www.gurufocus.com/news/129627/seth-klarman-buys-land-worth-120-billion-for-80-million

March arrives in Orangeville
http://www.orangeville.com/news/local/article/997339--quarry-protest-march-arrives-in-orangeville

Toronto Star article- READ The comments
http://www.thestar.com/news/article/979570--potato-farmer-proposes-mega-quarry

CP news-protesters spend Easter weekend marching to stop the quarry
http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5hhfzmiiwie7_c1mLrmGpaB42JnaA?docId=6656214

CTV news
http://toronto.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20110425/protestors-march-quarry-farmland-shelburne-110425/20110425/?hub=TorontoNewHome

Owen Sound Sun
http://www.owensoundsuntimes.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=3094217

Article from Cornwall
http://cornwallfreenews.com/2011/04/earth-matters-by-jacqueline-milner-%E2%80%93-an-urgent-plea-please-email-premier-mcguinty-%E2%80%93-april-26-2011-%E2%80%93-cornwall-ontario/

Original Toronto Star article
http://www.thestar.com/news/ontario/article/979187--activists-embark-on-five-day-walk-to-protest-mega-quarry

FEDERAL ISSUE

Here is the objection letter to the application for an aggregate resource license for the Melancthon Mega Mine (M3) filed by the Council of Canadians with the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Highland Companies. 
http://canadians.org/water/documents/Letter-Barlow-Melancthon-0411.pdf

I would like you to specifically pay attention where it states:
"Because the construction company is backed by the Baupost Group, a Boston‐based multi‐billion dollar hedge fund, it likely has NAFTA rights to sue the Canadian government if at any time after the contract has been signed, any level of government changes its mind on the project or attempts to limit damage to the land and water of the area by imposing new restrictions on the company’s operations. As well, NAFTA’s Chapter 11 gives American corporations operating in Canada the right to claim the water sources they use in their operations."


Hm, that would seem like a federal issue to me. 

Our MP, David Tilson, however has been reluctant, nay refusing, to get involved in this issue over the past two years, stating this open pit mine is provincial jurisdiction, NOT a federal one. 

He states that if anyone provides him with PROOF as to why it would be a federal issue, he would certainly be interested.  (In other words if you do the work FOR him, he is all for it.)

Well one might think that a national water policy and food policy would be a Federal issue, but I guess not. 

I will go out on a limb here and say the only thing Mr. Tilson is interested in is getting re-elected.

I mean if HE doesn't know about NAFTA and a foreign company's right to sue the FEDERAL government, how in the hell does someone who writes a crappy blog be able to find this stuff? 

SOME ADVICE FOR LIBERAL FEDERAL CANDIDATE BILL PROUT

At the April 19, 2011 federal all candidate's debate, Liberal Candidate, when questioned on the Quarry stated:
“This is some of the best agricultural land east of Prince Edward Island, especially for growing potatoes,” Prout said. “You will have absolutely my full support in stopping this project. This is a ridiculous waste. … This can’t be allowed to happen.” http://www.orangeville.com/news/local/article/995940--highlands-companies-quarry-dominates-shelburne-debate


Well, good for him.

But if he really wants to get elected, what he needs to do ASAP is have Moo(vis) Wilson remove the Liberal Candidate sign off her front lawn.

Her endorsement in this neck of the woods, having bought farmland about 5 years ago from struggling and retiring farmers, while working for Highland companies knowing what was coming down the line in terms of limestone and Highlands purchasing land, is worth less than nothing.

Just saying.....

NATIVE WALK TO STOP THE QUARRY

A Native Walk to Stop the Quarry started on earth day at Queen's Park with a crowd of about 200.   The core group of about 20 have been joined off and on over the past three days by hundreds of well wishers, walking with them, honking in support, providing food and water (no bottled water!!) and money for gas for the two support vehicles.

This was yesterday at the Town Hall in Orangeville:

They are starting this morning at 8:30 am at the Mono Plaza on Hwy 10 just north of Orangeville and plan to end their walk in Shelburne at the Town Hall.   They will finish the walk tomorrow at a farm on County Road 124 north of Hornings Mills.

Come out and join them. 

PS Deputy Mayor Bennington, if you want to come out and inform yourself on the issues and get a well needed photo-op of doing something good, you can rest assured you won't be "bombarded with 200 questions that you can't answer".  Sometimes it isn't all about you.

WHAT IS A GOOD CATHOLIC SCHOOL BOY LIKE DENIHER....

Easter Sunday and Mickey D is out schilling on CBC radio at 6:30 AM telling everyone how Highlands are potato farmers and doing a great service for the world and how the greedy critics are only trying to raise $1 million dollars to fight them on this application.

Well, thanks for pointing that out Mickey-like we didn't know. And the problem with raising money to fight Highlands in court??? Still not sure.

Wonder how much Seth and Beth K. spend on holidays and private schools and music lessons per year for their family-because of course they don't have to spend their hard earned personal hedge fund income on fees fighting a Boston based hedge fund about their enviroment and water source, living in their gated Boston community.


And I guess I can see why Mickey can't go to Church, being the good Catholic school boy that he is.  Someone at church must have seen this clip:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t0y90KeFCUM

After all, when you make a deal with the Devil.....I can't imagine there is a confessional big enough...Just my opinion and that is the way I see it.

Enjoy the rest of your day Mickey D.

ALL ABOARD THE CRAZY TRAIN

The Thursday April 14, 2011 County Council meeting can only be described in the words of the brilliant philospher and poet, Ozzie Osbourne:

"Crazy, but that's how it goes
Millions of people living as foes
Maybe it's not too late
To learn how to love
And forget how to hate "

More lyrics: http://www.lyricsfreak.com/o/ozzy+osbourne/#share

So all aboard with these County politicians:

Shelburne Deputy  Mayor and Red Wings GM Ken Bennington



Maycock and Adams



 Mulmur Deputy Mayor "One Issue" Campbell-Moon

LIAR NEWS TEAM INVESTIGATION

This is pretty funny. 

The sound isn't great, but watch for the questions on the Chilean miners, the nutritional value of a rock and how will Highlands defend against Satan's lawsuit....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3S8jawzP0OI

The look on the "consultants" faces is priceless when they are being questioned.

And take a peek at 3.26 on for a former federal Minister of Finance.....who looks very unhappy.

SPOT ON

I read the on-line version of the Shelburne Free Press/Orangeville Citizen last night. 

When I came across the "editorial" stating that Mulmur Deputy Mayor Rhonda Campbell-Moon and Shelburne Deputy Mayor Ken Bennington should be praised for their vote in support of Orangeville on the rail issue, I made a bet with myself that at LEAST one full page ad would be placed in the paper by Highlands at a cost of $1,000.00 to the Claridges.

I was right and wrong.  There was 1 and a half pages of ads placed and paid for by Highlands, for an estimated revenue to the Claridges of almost $2,000.00. 

PEOPLE I WOULDN'T HAVE WANTED TO BE THIS WEEK

Deputy Mayor Ken Bennington

Deputy Mayor Rhonda Campell-Moon

MP David Tilson at the all candidates debate at the Grace Tipling Hall on Wed night.

Just saying

GOLDHAWK and NEWELL

Goldhawk has talked about this issue on his show every day since last Friday.  Listen in 11-1 at 7:40 am.

Podcasts of the broadcasts are usually posted the next day and you can find them at this link:
http://zoomerradio.ca/  Sylvia Jones is speaking today about it.

And on the local front, here is a gentleman with more wisdom about water in the tip of his finger, than every single highly paid consultant working for Highlands or the Ministry of Natural Resources.  At this link, Mr. Doug Newell talks about this issue:
http://www.youtube.com/melancthonvision

HOKEY SMOKES

LOCAL MEDIA:
Mulmur Deputy Mayor's resignation sought:
http://www.orangeville.com/news/local/article/995950--mulmur-deputy-mayor-s-resignation-sought

County does nothing
http://www.orangeville.com/news/local/article/995999--county-takes-do-nothing-approach-to-former-rail-lands

Quarry dominates federal debate
http://www.orangeville.com/news/local/article/995940--highlands-companies-quarry-dominates-shelburne-debate

Prime agricultural land shouldn't be lost to quarry
http://www.orangeville.com/opinion/letters/article/995835--prime-agricultural-land-shouldn-t-be-lost-to-quarry

Truck traffic could pose serious problems
http://www.orangeville.com/opinion/letters/article/995822--truck-traffic-from-quarry-could-pose-serious-problems

Unanswered questions
http://www.orangeville.com/opinion/letters/article/995807--too-many-questions-left-unanswered-about-mega-quarry

Experts have been wrong before
http://www.orangeville.com/opinion/letters/article/995787--experts-on-environmental-issues-have-been-wrong-before

County door on rail issue remains open
http://www.citizen.on.ca/news/2011-04-21/Front_Page/County_door_remains_open_to_rail_talks.html

Rhonda Campbell Moon
http://www.citizen.on.ca/news/2011-04-21/Local_News/Mulmur_motion_would_impeach_deputy_mayor.html

Moon and Bennington deserve praise
http://www.citizen.on.ca/news/2011-04-21/Editorial/Their_actions_were_praiseworthy.html

Dufferin Federal of Agriculture
http://www.citizen.on.ca/news/2011-04-21/Mailbox/DFA_advises_MNR_on_Melancthon_quarry_issues.html


Daniher NOT winning, but whinging
http://www.citizen.on.ca/news/2011-04-21/Mailbox/Not_his_remark.html

READ ALL ABOUT IT...READ ALL ABOUT IT....

Podcast from Goldhawk's Friday show where Daniher got put on hold:
http://zoomerradio.ca/blog/the-news/gravel-pit-in-north-dufferin/

Articles in local papers:
http://www.orangeville.com/news/local/article/994519--fewer-than-expected-objections-filed-to-quarry-plan-ndact

http://www.orangeville.com/news/local/article/983869--five-day-walk-in-protest-of-proposed-melancthon-quarry

http://www.wellingtonadvertiser.com/index.cfm?page=detail&itmno=8557

http://www.simcoe.com/community/alliston/article/984227

http://www.guelphmercury.com/opinion/letters/article/517438--quarry-project-would-threaten-guelph-s-aquifer

THIS IS A MAJOR DEVELOPMENT-TO HAVE IT IN THIS PUBLICATION!!!

http://www.theepochtimes.com/n2/canada/mega-quarry-threatens-prime-canadian-farmland-54907.html

Listen to this news cast (listen closely because the sound isn't good, but catch where the reporters ask about the nutritional value of a rock as well as the possibility of hiring the Chilean miners to work at Highlands-the reaction of the highly paid experts is hilarious)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3S8jawzP0OI
 

ON HOLD

The United Church in Shelburne held another eco-forum to discuss environmental issues.  Last night's topic was the Melancthon Mega Mine (M3) and the impacts.


It was very informative and there were lots of people there who were hearing the message for the first time.  In fact one woman said it was scaring the hell out of her.


But do you know who wasn't there?  Highland spokesperson Michael Daniher.   He has been at every public meeting, every Council meeting and quite frankly every letter opening in the past 5 years, but an important meeting like this-nada, no show, nothing.  My understanding was he was even invited to speak at the event but declined.


I wondered why he was a no show, but then I realized it must be because after his lame attempt to bamboozle Dale Goldhawk on Goldhawk's radio show on Friday April 15, 2011, he was still licking his wounds.

In fact after Goldhawk got Daniher twisting and caught in the very fact he would not answer a simple question with a simple yes or no, Goldhawk offered to put him on hold,  should Michael want to enlighten the listeners further on the issue, to which Michael readily agreed to.  At that point he probably needed to go change his shorts anyway.

So when I really got thinking about it, I am pretty sure this is where Daniher still is:

ON HOLD, WAITING FOR GOLDHAWK TO

GET BACK TO HIM

IMPORTANT MEETINGS

County of Dufferin tonight at 7:00 p.m., delegations and votes on the rail issue.

Tomorrow night, April 15, 2010 at 7:00 pm-Ecoforum at United Church-presentation being made by the North Dufferin Agricultural and Community Taskforce (NDACT) on how the Highland Quarry will impact you.  All are welcome, free admission.

HIGHLANDS LEGISLATED PUBLIC MEETING

The Aggregate Resources Act, under which Highland Companies has filed for a license for a 2,300 acre, 200 foot below the water table, open pit limestone mine, provides that the proponent MUST have a public meeting.

So Highlands had to have a public meeting, which they had last night in Hornings Mills Hall.  The smallest, most NOT accessible facility they could find. 

I mean, if Jonny or Mickey, had had it in their Mom's basement (which J.L. looks like he just slithered out of), there would have been more room.

Anyhew, I am late in posting an update today, because I have been in the hospital since about 10 pm last night. No, nothing serious, just a ruptured everything from LOFL (laughing out frxxking loud).

So tonight's update? 

HAHHAHAHAHAHHHAAA,HAHAHAing;

HAHAHAHAHing;

HAHAHAHLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLLOLOLLOing

Hardy, har, har, har....spit milk out my nose, etc.etc.

Seriously???

Baupost Group; Seth Klarman; Baupost Group; Seth Klarman (backers of the Baupost Group, of the Highland Companies). Please mention them in all your facebook, my space, etc. posts so it will come up in google.

INTOLERABLE SITUATION

Image you have just been through a municipal election and you can’t get your agenda moved forward due to one particularly difficult elected official. One who seems to be throwing roadblocks up at every turn for no reason other than a power trip and “I know more than you so there” and “I am right and it WILL be done my way” mentality.

Imagine facing four more years of that.

Ah, you thought I was talking about the situation in Dufferin right now where elected officials, are seemingly at odds with one councillor who was duly elected by a majority of voters to serve a four year term.

Well then you would be wrong.

I was talking about the poor beleaguered Melancthon ratepayers during the 2006-2010 term. Those ratepayers who begged, pleaded, cajoled and begged again for Council to position themselves for a battle to come.

You know, by doing things like passing a demolition control bylaw, implementing a new official plan as the old one was thirty years old, by hiring a full time, experienced planner, by instituting fees for filing an aggregate application, by passing a tree cutting bylaw, by completing an OPA for specialty crop or like Caledon did, an OPA to strengthen their aggregate policies, I mean I could go on and on and on.

But nothing happened, Council would NOT budge, NOT listen, NOT engage or listen to the public. It was a legal battle to get them to post agendas publically. So talk about frustrating.

Ratepayers felt as if they were being endangered by that situation and no one was listening and there was absolutely
NO rationale provided by our elected officials.

BUT now, we (all ratepayers, grassroots organizations, anon bloggers) are being urged and assured that it is a new term of Council, we should let bygones be bygones FORGET what happened in the past and all work together to win a difficult battle and don’t publically criticize the elected officials, it would be better for all.

In fact in December 2010 we were advised things were going to be radically different in Melancthon in six months. Well that is one month away and still waiting....waiting....waiting....

Well, all I can say is you lead and we will follow. When the elected officials start letting bygones be bygones over what happened on a previous Council in a previous term, even though the players might be the same for the most part, and start working together toward a common goal, this blogger will be the first to follow their lead.

So instead of spending money and staff time on how to get rid of a duly elected official (which by the way you can’t), instead of litigation try mediation and work out your differences and get ON WITH IT.

Ah, but I can hear the comments now on the blog. This blogger just doesn’t understand how difficult it is to work with this person and this rogue Councillor has no authority to do what they are undertaking.

Well clearly if any Councillor is trying to do the job that staff are hired to do, they are in the wrong. That includes fire inspections, digging graves for a cemetery, cutting grass, researching and writing a bylaw or policy OR writing letters unless they are from a politician to a politician. It is NOT the Mayor or any member of Council’s job to be writing to insurance adjusters, or staff at the Province, etc. etc. Council gives direction and staff implements it.

THE single most important issue EVER, on which the entire County’s future depends, is coming up at the County of Dufferin soon and every single vote counts.

So suck it up and work it out like ratepayers do when they are faced with the same thing. To lose a vote at County over a personality conflict would be inexcusable.

Lead by example and now would be a good time to start.

Please.

APPARENTLY THERE IS A MEETING???

Apparently there is a meeting in Hornings Mills tomorrow night at 7pm. 

Under the aggregate resources act, the proponent, in this case Highlands, must hold ONE public meeting and this will be it.

And make no mistake-they must hold a public meeting-they do not HAVE to provide answers and even less so, the do not have to provide HONEST answers, because (is) a lie by omission is still a lie???

I would suggest you bring a chair, something warm to wear and get in an orderly line and wait, just like you were buying Justin Beiber tickets for your 12 year old. 

But WHEN you get inside the building, you can bet that you will be warmed by a nice, constant flow of hot freaking air, out of the mouths of many highly paid consultants.

WHAT IS THAT SMELL-CONTINUED from yesterday

Why I do believe it is the smell of desperation.


Mickey D. did NOT look happy at the Legion meeting wherein his shortcomings, I mean the shortcomings of his bosses DVD were simply pointed out.


He looked even worse at Mulmur's Council meeting, all twitchy and shakey.


And then, a mass mailing to everyone in the world to "set the record straight on the proposed quarry".


All well and good except it doesn't set anything straight. Here we go....continued from yesterdays post:
"WATER QUALITY WILL BE MAINTAINED" Well isn't that a nice promise to make?  Why in the hell wouldn't it be maintained?  And listen to their promise that "limited exposure to the atmosphere....oil and grit separators..."  So there is the admission that drinking water will be reinjecting into the acquifer WILL be exposed to the air, and oil and grit (SALT from the  trucks). So for them to make gazillions of $$$ for their ridiculously weathly investors WE get to drink water that has had limited exposure to the atmosphere?  Right now mother earth gives us NO exposure to the atmosphere and yet Highlands assures us they ensure that they will clean up the water that they have contaiminated.  In fact maybe Seth and Beth, to show us how safe their system is, will for the next five years agree for them and their family to drink NOTHING but water from an underground acquifer that has been exposed to the air for a couple of days, then put through a separator to get rid of the oil, grit and salt. 


'FINANCIAL ASSURANCES WILL ENSURE LONG TERM OPERATION OF THE WATER MANAGEMENT PLAN" further they state "the company would offer agreements...to establish appropriate financial assurances".  Lets see, a 150 acre quarry approximately 150 feet deep in Caledon was turned down at the OMB.  This wasn't even one of the issues the parties couldn't agree on.  BOTH parties agreed that the financial assurance required for that pit would be $90 million.  So compared to size, depth, amount of aggregate, carry the 1 by the square root of bullshit, means nothing less than 1.44 BILLION could be even considered (not accepted, but considered) as a starting point.


"COUNTY ROAD 124 CAN ACCOMODATE TRUCK TRAFFIC" -yes indeedy it can accomodate truck traffic.  Anyone in their right mind knows it can NOT accomodate 7,200 trucks a day in traffic.  Notice they do NOT deny claims that it WILL be 7,200 trucks a day?


'ESTIMATES OF POSSIBLE RAIL USE ARE PURE SPECULATION" excuse me?  The rail use, if the County is stupid enough to sell it, is NOT speculation.  Highlands goes on to say "if rail becomes available its use will be examed as a means of reducing reliance on trucks".  Read that again: if rail becomes available its use will be examed as a means of reducing reliance on trucks"  Up until now their messaging has been it WILL reduce greenhouse gas emissions by taking trucks off the road. Now they are saying it will be examined.  I can tell you right now their examination will conclude is it better to ship it out as fast a possible, which includes 7,200 trucks a day AND maximum number of trains, fully loaded per day.  And when I say per day I mean day like in 24/7.


"LAND WILL BE REHABILITATED TO AGRCIULTURAL USES"  They go on to state, and Daniher is always very careful to state, "all the extracted land that is suitable for rehabilitation to agriculture will be rehabilitated...."  The key word here is "suitable for rehabiltiation".  Do you know how much land will be suitable for rehabilitation -NONE, NADA, NOT a FREAKING ACRE.


"THE QUARRY WILL CREATE LOCAL JOBS"  300 trucking jobs, NOT local and they will NOT spend income on the local economy.  The result will be in their estimation 150 jobs, but they don't show how many of those jobs will be replacement jobs for the farming ones that will be lost.  Nor is there an economic impact study being provided to show all the other local jobs that will be lost-golf course, Fines, all other farming jobs, etc. etc.


'BLASTING WILL COMPY WITH ALL APPLICABLE RULES"  Which means exactly what?  Nothing. 

WHAT IS THAT SMELL?

Why I do believe it is the smell of desperation.

Mickey D. did NOT look happy at the Legion meeting wherein his shortcomings, I mean the shortcomings of his bosses DVD were simply pointed out. 

He looked even worse at Mulmur's Council meeting, all twitchy and shakey.

And then, a mass mailing to everyone in the world to "set the record straight on the proposed quarry".

All well and good except it doesn't set anything straight.  Here we go....

"NO ONE'S DRINKING WATER WILL BE AFFECTED"-really?  Well of course not, according to Highlands leading experts have concluded that.  Do they say how?  Well not, but this is how they did it.  Highlands due a bunch of wells in the lowest, wettest swampiest parts of the land they owned and took the readings they wanted.  Then some "expert" did a computer model.  Wow, I feel relieved.

"99% OF THE PROPOSED QUARRY IS LOCATED IN THE PINE RIVER WATERSHED"  Well that may be, but the quarry will be situated on the headwaters of the Grand and Nottawasaga Riversheds and three subsheds, one of which is the Pine.  And I wonder, once you start digging a huge honking hole and hitting underground lakes and "managing" the water flow how that 99% of water is going to know it is only allowed to travel a certain way because Highlands said so?

"WATER IN SOUTHERN ONTARIO HAS BEEN MANAGED FOR MANY YEARS"  Good to know, but they keep talking about the Holland Marsh-more on that later.   And funny enough they WANT us to think of the Holland Marsh when they talk about their water, but NOT when you talk about a specialty soil  The Holland Marsh soil is special and so is the Honeywood silt loam.  Highlands says nothing special about Honeywood soil because it only grows potatoes which aren't special.  Well the Holland Marsh grows carrots and celery for the most part and last I knew there was nothing special about that crop either.  IT IS THE SOIL that is special.

"PUMPING AND RECHARGING WATER MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS ARE ONTARIO-PROVEN" really-where has this been proven in a hole bigger than Niagara Fall managing 600 million litres of water a day?  NO WHERE that is where. 

"THE QUARRY WILL CONSUME LESS WATER THAN FARMING" What does "consume" mean.  If it means in their wash stations and processing probably.  But if they include the 600 million litres of water a day they must "manage" then all I can say is hahahahahahaha and liar liar pants on fire.

More in another post.  hahahahahahahahahahahahahahah

SPRING HAS SPRUNG

How do I know Spring has Sprung?

 

Did I see this?

OR THIS?

OR EVEN THIS?

NOPE, I saw this on the fourth line before 6am, in CLEAR violation of Strada's operating agreement.

Oh yeah, that was the same day that everyone who opposed Strada's expansion plans to the MNR were delivered a registered letter saying what great neighbours Strada is and how everyone's concerns have been met. 

And if you want to complain to Council, don't bother.  This has been going on since the day the first load of gravel was taken out of that pit.  They couldn't/wouldn't/didn't enforce it then and I can't believe they will now.

SOMEONE IS DOING THEIR HOMEWORK AND SAVING ME ALOT OF TIME

This was posted under anon comments on April 3:

The energy cost is just a part(significant as it is) of the overall costs which must be borne by the productive acreage. The only revenue source to fund the pumping and the other costs will be from the income of the farmed land, unless there is a sizable trust account set up by Highland.

These additional costs include the maintenance of the pumps; the replacement of the pumps; the inspection and maintenance of the recharge wells (which number around 540) which may clog or become contaminated; the replacement of recharge well pipes which will degrade and leak in time; the monitoring well inspections and maintenance; the entire water compliance assessment regime which needs to be staffed, and supervised (there are annual reports required to be filed with a number of government agencies); and contingencies such as low water levels that may require the provision of temporary drinking water to affected residents, and the drilling of new deeper well in order to repair the situation, the possibility of having to install hydraulic barriers around areas in the quarry that leak excessively; the uncovering, cleaning and reconstruction of basal trenches that become clogged and change the drainage in the quarry.

There is probably more that I have not thought of yet. And all this will be paid forever by anyone who owns the land.

Now do you still believe that this quarry will be rehabilitated??

GOTCHA

Guess who got caught with their hand in the cookie jar on Saturday?

Thanks MD

TRAFFIC OBSERVATION POSTED YESTERDAY UNDER ANON COMMENTS

Clearly someone has read Highlands proposal (and thanks for your contribution)
One other interesting oversight to consider....

The traffic study uses a "worst" case scenario ("worst" for us, "best" for Highlands!) that puts 150 trucks per hour in and 150 trucks per hour out of the quarry, 24 hours per day, seven days per week AVERAGE.


Now I have seen enough of the construction industry in the GTA, at all hours of the day, for every day of the week, to know that there are not many project sites that work 24 hours per day, and even fewer that will work on a Sunday. There are not that many aggregate- hauling truckers that run through the night, whether it is a larger firm or an independent, since there is no active site to ship to. So I would expect that there would be a much larger volume of trucks during the day than their study puts forward to come up with a daily average of 150 per hour.

Another thought... there is no firm figure of tonnage expected to be shipped in the report. They give the figure 10 million tonnes at one point (which would give the quarry a 100 year lifespan according to their reserve estimates and I would guess that this figure would be excessively long timeframe even for the shrewdest hardcore, yet still mortal, capitalist), but say that the amount shipped will be market-driven, hence the seeking of an "unlimited" license. The traffic study does open the door to more trucks on the road saying that if the PEAK hour volume exceeds 150 trucks, then intersection improvements and road widening will be necessary along #124 down to #89.

150 trucks per hour average each carrying 40 tons would be a 52 million tonnes per year output which would give the quarry a 20 year lifespan, which would certainly be a more agreeable timeframe for a greedy investor.

ECONOMIC ARGUMENT

I can NOT believe that Highlands overlooked this little hole (pun intended) in their economic argument.  Their application states 465 jobs, 300 trucking and 165 other jobs.

They don't mention that the 300 trucking jobs will be for people who own their own trucks, because their plan does not specify that they will be owning a trucking company.  The trucking jobs will clearly not be local jobs, nor will these drivers stop to pick up some groceries or buy lumber or visit the dentist or eye doctor.

Nor does Highland mention the impact on local existing prosperous businesses.  Does Murray Fines think anyone will do the trek to Shelburne to buy a bag of nails and risk their lives with that many trucks on the road?

How many-3,600 in and 3,600 loaded out. 24/7 except on stat holidays.

Does Johnny's pizza think anyone is going to traverse the 124 trail at any time, day or night, to buy a pizza?  Ha, I say, Ha.

Nor does Highland mentions that most of these 165 other jobs will be replacement jobs for the ones already employed through their agriculture operation.  So net gain in local jobs, less than 100.

And yet no economic impact statement on existing business.  I am pretty sure Honda and KTH won't be happy with competing with another 7,000 trucks on the road a DAY, working in their just in time operation that they do.

Since people started figuring this out, Highlands AFTER they submitted their application and originally posted on their site, has now posted a link about "Hiring local first" policy. 

Wonder if that is a violation of the Canadian Charter of Rights?  I guess we shall see.

UNFORTUNATELY THESE NUMBERS ADD UP

If you have taken a look at Highlands application the first thing you will notice is there are no quantitative numbers provided.  In other words they tell you they will run 16 pumps 24/7 to keep water out of their 2,400 acre 200 foot below the water table open pit limestone mine dry.

What they don't tell you is once they have mined the holes dry (intentiional pun) they will disappear so that IF we want the water pressure stablized someone will have to pay the hydro to run these pumps, NOT to mention the maintenance and mitigation.

A friend gave me these numbers and the bottom line is it would cost, in todays dollars and hydro prices, $4,449.59 per YEAR per ACRE to keep the hole dry.

And if you read the fine print of Highlands proposal, and it is all fine print, while they are mining 2,400 acres, give or take a few, only 1,263 acres, less than half, can be returned to agriculture. 

Why?  Well because of the slope on the sides of the hole.  And of course then in order to farm it someone would have to maintain the road to get to the bottom of the hole and haul the crops back up, etc. etc. etc.

LONG TIME NO HEAR

In case you are wondering why there have been no new posts-this anon blogger was recently served with court papers to stop posting and take down this blog.

Last post.
PS: Happy April 1 day.