Off line.
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
TAXES PAYABLE
Remember a few months ago there was a big kerfluffle about Highlands paying a residential rate on all that farmland.
And there were questions galore about when they would be applying for the usual 25% farm tax?
Well this might explain why they haven't applied for the reduction.
The Assessment Act and regulations provide in order to qualify for the 25% rate, more than 50% of the property ownership must be held by Canadian citizens or Permanent Residents of Canada. If the property is owned by a business which is a sole proprietorship, the owner must be a Canadian citizen or Permanent Resident of Canada. If the property is owned by a business which is a partnership, more than 50% of the profit or loss of the partnership must be allocated to the partners who are Canadian citizens or Permanent Residents of Canada.If the property is owned by a business which is a corporation, more than 50% of the voting shares must be controlled by Canadian citizens or Permanent Residents of Canada.
And there were questions galore about when they would be applying for the usual 25% farm tax?
Well this might explain why they haven't applied for the reduction.
The Assessment Act and regulations provide in order to qualify for the 25% rate, more than 50% of the property ownership must be held by Canadian citizens or Permanent Residents of Canada. If the property is owned by a business which is a sole proprietorship, the owner must be a Canadian citizen or Permanent Resident of Canada. If the property is owned by a business which is a partnership, more than 50% of the profit or loss of the partnership must be allocated to the partners who are Canadian citizens or Permanent Residents of Canada.If the property is owned by a business which is a corporation, more than 50% of the voting shares must be controlled by Canadian citizens or Permanent Residents of Canada.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
LAST NIGHT'S MELANCTHON OFFICIAL PLAN MEETING
Last night, listening to Jerry Jorden drone on at the meeting, I had a dream....
Unlike Martin Luther King's famous speech, my dream was more like a nightmare. Well actually it was this:
What is the analogy?
It has to be the round hole is Melancthon and the square peg is what Jerry Jorden is trying to ram his cookie cutter Official Plan into.
Anyone else have any other analogies?
ABORIGINAL CONSULTATION - DUTY TO CONSULT
The Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing's website provides:
"The Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing’s position is that municipalities have a duty to consult in some circumstances.
These matters could include:
Land-use planning and development processes.
Policy development and implementation.
Preparation of archaeological master plans.
Infrastructure planning and environmental assessment processes.
Proposed changes to municipal boundaries.
Policies related to cultural protection and development, i.e., protection of archaeological and burial sites. "
http://www.mah.gov.on.ca/Page6054.aspx
"The Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing’s position is that municipalities have a duty to consult in some circumstances.
These matters could include:
Land-use planning and development processes.
Policy development and implementation.
Preparation of archaeological master plans.
Infrastructure planning and environmental assessment processes.
Proposed changes to municipal boundaries.
Policies related to cultural protection and development, i.e., protection of archaeological and burial sites. "
http://www.mah.gov.on.ca/Page6054.aspx
Monday, July 26, 2010
MAPPING FOR OFFICIAL PLAN
Someone just posted the following under the comment section with respect to the blog about Jorden's choice of mapping company, of which I was EXTREMELY critical:
Her website says: Combining her eye for detail and artistic diversities, Rhonda adds 16 years of experience freelancing her AutoCAD Technical Services to companies throughout Ontario. Rhonda has successfully designed over 70 subdivisions adding council’s stamp of approval.
Her website says: Combining her eye for detail and artistic diversities, Rhonda adds 16 years of experience freelancing her AutoCAD Technical Services to companies throughout Ontario. Rhonda has successfully designed over 70 subdivisions adding council’s stamp of approval.
Check it out for yourself. http://polarartists.com/artists/RMcDonald/RMbio.html
That seems awfully strange her entire webpage has one sentence about her 16 years of freelancing experience and successfully designing over 70 subdivisions. Also a google search does not show her name, related to any one of the municipalities for which she has worked.
Her main achievement seems to be her art. And good for her. She looks like a great artist. And if she is out of the mapping business, due to bad fortune or illness, still not really clear on that either, it doesn't indicate that on her website.
No apologies here. The blame falls squarely not on this artist. It should fall on Jorden and our Council. Paying for work which was never produced. And with the stakes so high in Melancthon at this time, we need the best, NOT the cheapest.
MORE OFFICIAL PLAN REVIEW
Tonight at 6:00 Jerry Jorden, planning consultant, continues his monologue of reading the draft OP word for word for word.
Here are some highlites from the last meeting
Just a thought. Maybe he could write a report to Council with the concise points which he would like to highlite in it?
Saturday, July 24, 2010
WHEN YOU FAIL TO PLAN, YOU PLAN TO FAIL
As posted on the June 21, 2010 blog, the Mayor of Melancthon advised in an open meeting of Council that we, the ratepayers of Melancthon, have paid approximately $20,000.00 a year over the past six years for the planning consultant, Jerry Jorden to "work on" the five year Official Plan review, which is still not complete.
We are operating under an OP from the 1970's.
And the $20,000.00 is just PART of the planning consultant fees we pay him. There are many, many more fees for which Jorden bills the taxpayers.
Both the province and ratepayers were promised by this Council over the winter that the OP would be complete by June 2010.
THEN we heard from the Deputy Mayor awhile ago that the mapping company that had been retained by Jorden, but paid by taxapayers through Jorden's invoices went bankrupt and there would be yet ANOTHER delay.
At the July 22, 2010 meeting of Council, a ratepayer submitted, in writing and in advance, the following question(s):
What is the name and address of the firm that went bankrupt while working on Melancthon maps for Mr. Jorden;
What was Mr. Jorden's bill to Melancthon for the work they did;
What maps were recovered for the money they received;
In a prepared answer from which the Mayor read at the meeting, she started by admonishing the ratepayer for putting in writing that the mapping company went bankrupt because it wasn't true.
In fact, according to the Mayor, the owner of the company was ill and was no longer in business. (Bad ratepayer)
Notable: At this point the Deputy Mayor advised that he did state that the company went bankrupt, because that was what he was told. (Insert deep calming breath here)
Anyhew the answers to the questions provided by the Mayor were:
Question 1: Name of mapping company?
Answer: Everlasting Letting in the Light, Barrie Ontario.
The only information I can find on a company with this name in Barrie is for an artist for god's sake. A phone call revealed that the individual at that number was in fact the individual to whom was referred to in the Melancthon Council meeting.
NOT a freaking mapping company. An artist.
And nowhere on the artist’s website does it indicate this “business” is out of business due to illness. My understanding is the artist was away on vacation until early August.
Or for that matter does the bio/website ever indicate this person WAS in the mapping business. Just a very talented artist.
Check it out for yourself. http://polarartists.com/artists/RMcDonald/RMbio.html
So in our highly paid planning consultant's infinate wisdom, he retained this “company/artist” to do his professional planning mapping. And billed us ratepayers, don’t forget.
Question 2: How much did this mapping company cost ratepayers?
Answer: Just under $1,400.00
Final question: How much of the maps were used in the final product?
According to the prepared statement read by the Mayor, the maps which were never produced, but which we taxpayers paid for, formed the "basis" of the mapping which we were looking at during the meeting.
No wonder people have meltdowns at public meetings. I am having one RIGHT NOW. As I am sure you are reading this. Who in the hell is looking after the interests of the taxpayers in Melancthon?
And the Mayor has advised that some people need to get a grip and accept change, because change is coming.
That is good advice, particularly for the current Council and our current planning consultant. Change IS coming.
Get out and vote on October 25, 2010 OR when your vote by mail ballot arrives in the mail.
We are operating under an OP from the 1970's.
And the $20,000.00 is just PART of the planning consultant fees we pay him. There are many, many more fees for which Jorden bills the taxpayers.
Both the province and ratepayers were promised by this Council over the winter that the OP would be complete by June 2010.
THEN we heard from the Deputy Mayor awhile ago that the mapping company that had been retained by Jorden, but paid by taxapayers through Jorden's invoices went bankrupt and there would be yet ANOTHER delay.
At the July 22, 2010 meeting of Council, a ratepayer submitted, in writing and in advance, the following question(s):
What is the name and address of the firm that went bankrupt while working on Melancthon maps for Mr. Jorden;
What was Mr. Jorden's bill to Melancthon for the work they did;
What maps were recovered for the money they received;
In a prepared answer from which the Mayor read at the meeting, she started by admonishing the ratepayer for putting in writing that the mapping company went bankrupt because it wasn't true.
In fact, according to the Mayor, the owner of the company was ill and was no longer in business. (Bad ratepayer)
Notable: At this point the Deputy Mayor advised that he did state that the company went bankrupt, because that was what he was told. (Insert deep calming breath here)
Anyhew the answers to the questions provided by the Mayor were:
Question 1: Name of mapping company?
Answer: Everlasting Letting in the Light, Barrie Ontario.
The only information I can find on a company with this name in Barrie is for an artist for god's sake. A phone call revealed that the individual at that number was in fact the individual to whom was referred to in the Melancthon Council meeting.
NOT a freaking mapping company. An artist.
And nowhere on the artist’s website does it indicate this “business” is out of business due to illness. My understanding is the artist was away on vacation until early August.
Or for that matter does the bio/website ever indicate this person WAS in the mapping business. Just a very talented artist.
Check it out for yourself. http://polarartists.com/artists/RMcDonald/RMbio.html
So in our highly paid planning consultant's infinate wisdom, he retained this “company/artist” to do his professional planning mapping. And billed us ratepayers, don’t forget.
Question 2: How much did this mapping company cost ratepayers?
Answer: Just under $1,400.00
Final question: How much of the maps were used in the final product?
According to the prepared statement read by the Mayor, the maps which were never produced, but which we taxpayers paid for, formed the "basis" of the mapping which we were looking at during the meeting.
No wonder people have meltdowns at public meetings. I am having one RIGHT NOW. As I am sure you are reading this. Who in the hell is looking after the interests of the taxpayers in Melancthon?
And the Mayor has advised that some people need to get a grip and accept change, because change is coming.
That is good advice, particularly for the current Council and our current planning consultant. Change IS coming.
Get out and vote on October 25, 2010 OR when your vote by mail ballot arrives in the mail.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
OFFER TO CANDIDATES
This blog may not be YOUR cup of tea...
But it IS someone's cup of tea....
Approximately 100 people read this blog per day day - if the hit counter is correct.
I am offering to post a link to ANY candidate's website, blog or facebook page who is running for election in Dufferin .
Email your link to: melancthonminebuster@gmail.com
I am not promising to support all candidates, but I do promise to post links for anyone who emails a request.
But it IS someone's cup of tea....
Approximately 100 people read this blog per day day - if the hit counter is correct.
I am offering to post a link to ANY candidate's website, blog or facebook page who is running for election in Dufferin .
Email your link to: melancthonminebuster@gmail.com
I am not promising to support all candidates, but I do promise to post links for anyone who emails a request.
SCANDAL ABOUT A CANDIDATE FOR MELANCTHON MAYOR
Did you know that Mayoralty candidate Bill Hill has only been in the community since 1978.
OMG -see how silly that sounds?
I mean when can you ever remember Bill and his wife NOT being a part of the community? And seriously, does it matter?
My point is, and I do have one, us locals need to stop determining who we will vote on based on how long they have been in the community. I know people who have had family here for generations who have never been "community minded". I know a person who has lived in the community for less than two years and has become more involved in the community than most "local" people I know.
The "newcomers" ( and I mean anyone who hasn't lived here for four generations) pay the same taxes as the oldtimers and they have every right to be as interested, involved and opinionated as anyone.
A tree that does not bend in the wind breaks. A community that does not embrace diversity will die.
And by diversity I mean financial, generational, economic, geographical, educational, sexual, etc. etc. Well, really, anything that does not involve a 2,400 acre 200 foot open pit limestone mine that threatens our water source-without water we will certainly die.
Think strategically about who you will vote for on October 25, based on their political platform, not based on their ancestors. Because honestly, if we looked, we all have skeletons in our ancestral attic.
OMG -see how silly that sounds?
I mean when can you ever remember Bill and his wife NOT being a part of the community? And seriously, does it matter?
My point is, and I do have one, us locals need to stop determining who we will vote on based on how long they have been in the community. I know people who have had family here for generations who have never been "community minded". I know a person who has lived in the community for less than two years and has become more involved in the community than most "local" people I know.
The "newcomers" ( and I mean anyone who hasn't lived here for four generations) pay the same taxes as the oldtimers and they have every right to be as interested, involved and opinionated as anyone.
A tree that does not bend in the wind breaks. A community that does not embrace diversity will die.
And by diversity I mean financial, generational, economic, geographical, educational, sexual, etc. etc. Well, really, anything that does not involve a 2,400 acre 200 foot open pit limestone mine that threatens our water source-without water we will certainly die.
Think strategically about who you will vote for on October 25, based on their political platform, not based on their ancestors. Because honestly, if we looked, we all have skeletons in our ancestral attic.
THIS WEEKEND
45 Annual Honeywood Beef BBQ this Saturday July 24 at the Honeywood Arena.
See link for information: http://www.mulmurtownship.ca/images/PDFS/REC/bbq.flyer.10.pdf
Volunteers are still needed-contact (705) 466-3341 ext 234
Home made pies are a feature of this event. You do not need to call ahead, just make your pie and drop it off that day-it will be very appreciated by both the volunteers organizing the event and by the people eating it.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
GETTING INTERESTING NOW
I note that the Melancthon Township website shows that Bill Hill has some competition for the top spot.
Rob Uffen has filed to run for Mayor.
Congratulations and good luck.
Here is the list in its entirety as of 1 minute ago:
Bill Hill - Mayor
Rob Uffen – Mayor
Darren White – Deputy Mayor
Barton Malloy – Councillor
Wayne Hannon - Councillor
Dennis Sanford – Councillor
Rob Uffen has filed to run for Mayor.
Congratulations and good luck.
Here is the list in its entirety as of 1 minute ago:
Bill Hill - Mayor
Rob Uffen – Mayor
Darren White – Deputy Mayor
Barton Malloy – Councillor
Wayne Hannon - Councillor
Dennis Sanford – Councillor
BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND
From the January 7, 2010 posting titled THEY AREN'T DOING IT FOR THE MONEY
In case you are thinking of running, here is what Melancthon Councillors get paid.
Remember, salary doesn't vary, but they get an additional stipend for each committees on which they sit.
Mileage varies for each as well.
Mayor County salary $14,466.29
Melancthon Salary - $13,148.28
Mileage 507.09
Meetings 1800.00
D Mayor County salary $5,140.00
Melancthon salary - $8,519.90
Mileage 327.57
Meetings 2,160.00
All Councillors Salary - $8,217.78
Mileage 262.96
Meetings 2,520.00
Addendum to the original posting:
While I have been somewhat critical of Council this past term I have to admit these salaries are ridiculously low for the hours these people spend.
In case you are thinking of running, here is what Melancthon Councillors get paid.
Remember, salary doesn't vary, but they get an additional stipend for each committees on which they sit.
Mileage varies for each as well.
Mayor County salary $14,466.29
Melancthon Salary - $13,148.28
Mileage 507.09
Meetings 1800.00
D Mayor County salary $5,140.00
Melancthon salary - $8,519.90
Mileage 327.57
Meetings 2,160.00
All Councillors Salary - $8,217.78
Mileage 262.96
Meetings 2,520.00
Addendum to the original posting:
While I have been somewhat critical of Council this past term I have to admit these salaries are ridiculously low for the hours these people spend.
Monday, July 19, 2010
DON'T LET THE DOOR HIT YOU ON THE WAY OUT
So, yet another source has advised that for absolute sure John Lowndes is gone, kaput, for lack of a better word, fired.
Why do I still have some misgivings why this can't be true?
Well, I have checked the Highland Companies website and there is nothing on it. No news release. Nothing.
Why does this matter?
Well before whenever King John even so much as took a crap, Highland Companies issued a press release to tell all us loyal subjects how this would benefit us.
And yet, nothing about this potential deposing of our annoited King.
Unless.....Baupost realized finally that Johnny didn't have a freaking clue and really was more of a liability than an asset to their cause and they want to keep it on the DL or QT (that means downlow and quiet, according to my teenage sources).
After all, even us uneducated lokal yokals know, the last way you try to insinuate yourself into a community is NOT by pissing off the locals by telling the press they are greedy, by cutting acres and acres of trees and by demolishing home after home after home. by holding a neighbour meeting and then turning away the neighbours and by using one of the most HATED locals as your contact at Queen's park because she might have been an MPP at one time, even if you trot her well liked husband out on parade.
If Lowndes WAS fired though, it wouldn't have taken him long to clean out his desk. Highlands head office is officially listed as 1063 King Street West which is a UPS Store and UPS confirms that suite 234 is a letter box-check out the April 29, 2010 blog post on this site.
If true, it couldn't happen to a more deserving and out of touch with the locals kind of guy.
Saturday, July 17, 2010
CAN'T BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU READ
You can't believe everything you read, well unless you read it here (JUST kidding people, calm down)!!
I got an email this morning, however, which makes this statement ring true.
You may recall in last week's Orangeville Citizen there was an article by Wes the Crypt Keeper Keller with the head line: County Council asked to consider rail/trail option.
In that article was the statement: "And, in the meantime, Shelburne is in competition with Fort Erie for a prospective new manufacturer for its industrial park, and the availability of rail transport is one of the factors under consideration. At Shelburne, the Economic Development Committee has noted that Greensafe Demanufacturing is “looking to open a site in Ontario. Fort Erie is currently trying to obtain the industry to their town. Several issues are in need of review for this client: rail, grant assistance, labour force and land costs,” notes the EDC."
Click here for entire article: http://www.citizen.on.ca/news/2010-07-08/Front_Page/County_Council_asked_to_consider_railtrail_option.html
Wow, I am sure the County is going to jump all over that, saying things like look at the economic benefits for reinstalling the rail line all you naysayers (and I am paraphrasing here Mayor Adams, controller of the County votes, not putting words in your mouth).
Now I do not believe for a minute that Wes made that up: I am sure the EDC told him this. But a good reporter would have checked the sources.
When a private citizen contacted this company about considering Shelburne as a site, here is what they said: "We are looking at a number of sites in Ontario to support the “green technology”. We have tentatively looked at areas near Fort Erie, North Bay, Prescott, Sarnia and Amherstberg."
I do NOT see a Shelburne mentioned in that statement.
In a subsequent email this company provided this information: "Apparently, a Brampton area manufacturer of conveyor systems had contacted our General Manager to see if they could do some business. It is believed that the person in Brampton made some representation to the economic development officials in Shelburne."
So two lessons. Check your facts if you are reporting for a newspaper and if you are the Shelburne EDC you should be a little more circumspect about making statements like this and check your sources FIRST.
And just as a side note, Greensafe Demanufacturing has connections to eastern Canada, just like our good friends Highland Companies.....hm.....
I got an email this morning, however, which makes this statement ring true.
You may recall in last week's Orangeville Citizen there was an article by Wes the Crypt Keeper Keller with the head line: County Council asked to consider rail/trail option.
In that article was the statement: "And, in the meantime, Shelburne is in competition with Fort Erie for a prospective new manufacturer for its industrial park, and the availability of rail transport is one of the factors under consideration. At Shelburne, the Economic Development Committee has noted that Greensafe Demanufacturing is “looking to open a site in Ontario. Fort Erie is currently trying to obtain the industry to their town. Several issues are in need of review for this client: rail, grant assistance, labour force and land costs,” notes the EDC."
Click here for entire article: http://www.citizen.on.ca/news/2010-07-08/Front_Page/County_Council_asked_to_consider_railtrail_option.html
Wow, I am sure the County is going to jump all over that, saying things like look at the economic benefits for reinstalling the rail line all you naysayers (and I am paraphrasing here Mayor Adams, controller of the County votes, not putting words in your mouth).
Now I do not believe for a minute that Wes made that up: I am sure the EDC told him this. But a good reporter would have checked the sources.
When a private citizen contacted this company about considering Shelburne as a site, here is what they said: "We are looking at a number of sites in Ontario to support the “green technology”. We have tentatively looked at areas near Fort Erie, North Bay, Prescott, Sarnia and Amherstberg."
I do NOT see a Shelburne mentioned in that statement.
In a subsequent email this company provided this information: "Apparently, a Brampton area manufacturer of conveyor systems had contacted our General Manager to see if they could do some business. It is believed that the person in Brampton made some representation to the economic development officials in Shelburne."
So two lessons. Check your facts if you are reporting for a newspaper and if you are the Shelburne EDC you should be a little more circumspect about making statements like this and check your sources FIRST.
And just as a side note, Greensafe Demanufacturing has connections to eastern Canada, just like our good friends Highland Companies.....hm.....
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
STRADA
On the June 3 agenda of Melancthon Council is a letter from Bluewater Geoscience, the consultants hired by Council. The letter is dated May 17, 2010 and is titled, Re: review of 2008 and 2009 Strada Melancthon/Shelburne Pit groundwater compliance monitoring reports, Strada Aggregates (wow, that is a mouthful)
The letter advises that there was an "exceedence of permitted water taking allowances by 3,000-7,000 litres per day on several days in 2009. That's a lot of water lost a pump calibration error....The detection of petroleum hydrocarbons present in the well in 2008 is noted as anomalous as they were not detected in the 2009 readings....Does the level detected in 2008 indicate a past spill....."
There is more, read it for yourself at http://melancthontownship.ca/10council/corr.june3.pdf
The June 3, 2010 minutes show that Strada was to be invited to the June 17, 2010 meeting to answer some questions.
However, guess who wasn't at the June 17 meeting or at the July 8 meeting either?
If Council can't properly monitor a 300 acre gravel pit and protect our water sources, how in the hell do they have the expertise to monitor a 2,400 acre, 200 foot below the water table, open pit mine?
The Bluewater letter goes on to state that "We have raised these issues yearly with Strada and no action has been taken to remedy these deficiencies...Despite this situation, Strada's consultants continue to make assumptions based on the inadequate monitoring network."
It closes by stating "We understand that Strada has an application for another pit in Melancthon Township in the planning stages. Melancthon township should consider whether, given Strada's track record of inadequate compliance monitoring, they have shown themselves to be good corporate citizens and have treated the concerns of citizens and the Council with the rigour they deserve." (note: MNR hasn't deemed the application complete, which is why it doesn't appear as yet, on the Environmental Registry-keep checking)
I guess my question is, why hasn't Council moved LONG before now, to protect their ratepayers by having the MOE revoke Strada's permit to take water?
Of course, Jordan is on the case, having met with them in January and still, no compliance from Strada and still not one single member of Council has gone to the press to force the issue or raise the alarm.
In fact read the minutes. Your mouth will drop open, because apparently Council has dealt with this before and there have never been any "grave concerns". http://melancthontownship.ca/10council/minutes.june3.pdf
WTF does it take? Somebody, please, light a fire under these people.
The letter advises that there was an "exceedence of permitted water taking allowances by 3,000-7,000 litres per day on several days in 2009. That's a lot of water lost a pump calibration error....The detection of petroleum hydrocarbons present in the well in 2008 is noted as anomalous as they were not detected in the 2009 readings....Does the level detected in 2008 indicate a past spill....."
There is more, read it for yourself at http://melancthontownship.ca/10council/corr.june3.pdf
The June 3, 2010 minutes show that Strada was to be invited to the June 17, 2010 meeting to answer some questions.
However, guess who wasn't at the June 17 meeting or at the July 8 meeting either?
If Council can't properly monitor a 300 acre gravel pit and protect our water sources, how in the hell do they have the expertise to monitor a 2,400 acre, 200 foot below the water table, open pit mine?
The Bluewater letter goes on to state that "We have raised these issues yearly with Strada and no action has been taken to remedy these deficiencies...Despite this situation, Strada's consultants continue to make assumptions based on the inadequate monitoring network."
It closes by stating "We understand that Strada has an application for another pit in Melancthon Township in the planning stages. Melancthon township should consider whether, given Strada's track record of inadequate compliance monitoring, they have shown themselves to be good corporate citizens and have treated the concerns of citizens and the Council with the rigour they deserve." (note: MNR hasn't deemed the application complete, which is why it doesn't appear as yet, on the Environmental Registry-keep checking)
I guess my question is, why hasn't Council moved LONG before now, to protect their ratepayers by having the MOE revoke Strada's permit to take water?
Of course, Jordan is on the case, having met with them in January and still, no compliance from Strada and still not one single member of Council has gone to the press to force the issue or raise the alarm.
In fact read the minutes. Your mouth will drop open, because apparently Council has dealt with this before and there have never been any "grave concerns". http://melancthontownship.ca/10council/minutes.june3.pdf
WTF does it take? Somebody, please, light a fire under these people.
Monday, July 12, 2010
NEW LINK
Environmental Registry link has been added to this site. (Hint, look to the list of websites at the left of this blog and click on appropriate site.)
For new regulations (like the eco-tax, the G20 non-existent powers of arrest, etc.) check the registry.
Once Strada's aggregate application is considered "complete" by Ministry of Natural Resources, it will be posted and Melancthon Council's planner, Jordan might actually notice it, if one of us gives him a clue via an email link. I am sure it will cost us, but better that he be informed than not, don't you think?
For new regulations (like the eco-tax, the G20 non-existent powers of arrest, etc.) check the registry.
Once Strada's aggregate application is considered "complete" by Ministry of Natural Resources, it will be posted and Melancthon Council's planner, Jordan might actually notice it, if one of us gives him a clue via an email link. I am sure it will cost us, but better that he be informed than not, don't you think?
BROKEN PROMISE
I know I promised a posting about Strada, but it is too late tonight and I am too tired and grumpy to be fair (ha, ha)....
But, just for fun, you get bonus points if you can identify this little guy:
But, just for fun, you get bonus points if you can identify this little guy:
Or this king of the castle:
I know, I know, pretty immature, but......they started it.
Sunday, July 11, 2010
MAXIMIZING THEIR AGRICULTURAL OPERATION?
Highland Companies advised they cut those thousands of trees down and demolished those 16 homes (with another5-6 to go) to maximize their farming operations.
Here are pictures of two of the houses they bulldozed and burned last year. 
See how they are missing out on those extra 4 acres of agricultural land, because they have done NOTHING with them, not even capped the wells?
But if you add up all the houses they burned and bulldozed, 16 homes X 2 acres each equals about 32 acres they COULD be farming.....
Seriously, I do NOT know how my head has not exploded!!!
I GET IT
I get that Melancthon Council is feeling beat up, I really do.
And just when it appears there is a glimmer of movement on their part towards being more open, accountable and, well in tune with the NEW Municipal Act, 2001 instead of the one that existed in 1978 (when our last Official Plan was done and when Gordon Oldfield was our Mayor), then something happens.
Thirty years ago things were done differently. The legislation was different, times were different. BUT to continue to operate a municipality under the guise of being in the 1970's is not only naive, but dangerous.
You can NOT run the municipality on volunteers and handshakes and goodwill. That opens the door for companies like Strada, the turbines, the biosolids and of course Highland Companies.
Watch tomorrow's post for Strada's new plans, which involve below the water table mining (they have already made their aggregate application to MNR), while being in voilation of their exisiting water taking permit.
And just when it appears there is a glimmer of movement on their part towards being more open, accountable and, well in tune with the NEW Municipal Act, 2001 instead of the one that existed in 1978 (when our last Official Plan was done and when Gordon Oldfield was our Mayor), then something happens.
Thirty years ago things were done differently. The legislation was different, times were different. BUT to continue to operate a municipality under the guise of being in the 1970's is not only naive, but dangerous.
You can NOT run the municipality on volunteers and handshakes and goodwill. That opens the door for companies like Strada, the turbines, the biosolids and of course Highland Companies.
Watch tomorrow's post for Strada's new plans, which involve below the water table mining (they have already made their aggregate application to MNR), while being in voilation of their exisiting water taking permit.
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