TIMBER!!

Here is an absolutely novel concept that seems to have escaped the grasp of the County of Dufferin. The City of Guelph received a call about someone clear cutting in contravention of the municipal bylaw

and.....get this.....

they went out immediately, investigated and.....wonders of wonders, laid charges!!


For the full article see: http://news.guelphmercury.com/News/Local/article/555222

Anybody out there from the County of Dufferin?

Politicians? County Forest staff???

Anybody....hello, is this mike on?

Something to Think About

There is truth in humour, but there is NOTHING funny about what Highlands is proposing to do "for" us.

Word has it that Highland has approached the City of Owen Sound to offer to dig out their harbour, free of charge.

Wow, what benenvolent beings the Highlands Companies is.

Word also has it that there are other abandon rail lines between here and there. Highlands public information they handed out at their (in)formation meeting in July said the aggregates were destined for Simcoe. Didn't say they would be USED in Simcoe.

There is an abandoned rail line between Barrie (Simcoe) to Owen Sound.

Methinks perhaps there should be an eye kept on that as well as the Orangeville to Owen Sound line.

Something Daniher should remember

It is nice to be important, but it is more important to be nice, because when you lie and cheat and threaten people and just generally piss the locals off, they do NOT like it, not one little bit Mr. Mikey.

For a highly paid p.r. guru such as yourself I would think you would know that basic rule of thumb, Just consider it a learning experience. You should probably add it to your resume.

Melancthon Council leaving sooner than expected

The Provincial government today introducted legislation proposing to move election day up by two weeks to the fourth Monday in October, as opposed to the set date of November 10 for municipal elections.

That means, if passed, there will be 16 less days of the current Melancthon Council in 2010.

Bacon and Eggs anyone?

A metaphor for NDACT and Melancthon Council is a BACON AND EGG BREAKFAST

The chicken is involved (Council)...

but the pig is committed (NDACT)

SHHHHH or Lowndes will find out....

Attached is an article in the October 26, 2009 Banner that speaks to the YMCA/Highlands and privacy concerns by a resident of Melancthon:

http://www.orangevillebanner.com/news/article/79157

Excerpts from the article: Read CAREFULLY between the lines:

“No personal information is provided to us as a part of the process,” Daniher says of the survey. (meaning information outside of the process IS provided to them)

Asked if his company received anyone else’s personal information outside of “the process” as it did Wallace’s, Daniher notes it’s not “my practice” to publicly disclose all matters Highland discusses with the YMCA. (the answer should be a resounding and definative NO, but since Daniher can't answer with a no he doesn't answer the question at all)

“We’re in regular contact. We update one another. (The YMCA) indicated there had been several inquiries on a range of issues throughout this process.“I certainly don’t get details on all of them,” he says. (Daniher says he and the YMCA are in constant contact, I would take that to mean every day they speak about everything. According to Daniher, he doesn't get details on "all of the calls", but I take that to mean he DOES get information on some of them)

Any politician who is still standing behind ANYTHING this company or its mouthpiece Daniher spews or who won't take a stand in opposition to Highlands should be ashamed of themselves.

The YMCA surveyed "over 428 homes", but they couldn't advise what percentage of possible users that represented, only that it was very scientific.

Wonder how much this survey cost Highlands. No matter how much it cost, it is a cheap way to get the names, phone numbers and views of the YMCA. Priceless actually.

And was the cost of surveying 428 homes really outside the financial realm shared between 6 municipalities in order to ensure their residents a measure of privacy?

Puppetmaster and the puppets

John Lowndes and local politicians....

Man the Lifeboats

Six blind Mayors, six blind Mayors
See how they vote, see how they vote
They all wanted a YMCA
But the public didn’t see it that way
When asked if Highlands was going to pay
All the expenses for the YMCA
No one would say

This is beyond fascinating. Not two short weeks ago, elected officials were tripping over themselves in trying to lay claim to being the mastermind behind a YMCA to be located in the Town of Shelburne.

Shelburne can’t sustain a Tim Horton’s, but somehow…a YMCA becomes a feasible option? But I digress.

However when a ratepayer began asking the hard questions-like why would Melancthon residents, who already pay toward 3 arenas and two pools pay toward a YMCA and would Highland Companies be paying the capital costs for the construction of the facility… the following are the responses that were elicited.

Ed Crewson: October 17 – “I should not be credited with the idea of a YMCA”

Ed Crewson: October 18- “...John Lowndes introduced the YMCA idea..”

Highland Companies, October 21 – “...the mayors of six area municipalities requested that the region be considered a candidate for YMCA programs and services.”

Ed Crewson: October 23- “The truth is that the idea of contacting the YMCA originated with John Lowndes”

POLITICIANS: Be sure to form an orderly line or someone will get trampled in the stampede to get away from this issue.

Strike the band and man the lifeboats… just like the Titanic, I think the YMCA is sinking.

Is that good or bad-you decide.

In my opinion however, it would be good if Highlands were NOT associated with this little endeavour.

Cast of Characters

For those of you who aren’t well versed in this continuing saga, here is a directory for your reference:

Mayor Debbie Fawcett: Mayor of Melancthon

Deputy Dog Hill: Deputy Mayor Bill Hill

Eddie Munster: Mayor Ed Crewson, Shelburne

John, If his Lips are Moving he is Lying, Lowndes, Johnny, Melancthon’s L. Ron Hubbard, the Melancthon Mesiah, King John, the Devil Incarnate, Big Bad Wolf: John Lowndes-principle of the Highland Companies

Wolf in Sheeps Clothing: Highland Companies also operating as Wilson Farms, Downey Farms, 3191574 Nova Scotia Company, 1712665 Ontario Inc., 3218089 Nova Scotia Company

NDACT: the North Dufferin Agricultural Community Taskforce and the moral compass, representing all that is good and right, watchdogs for Melancthon citizens, made up of salt of the earth people

Wes the Crypt Keeper Keller: Wes Keller, reporter for the Orangeville Citizen/Shelburne Free Press who doesn’t attend meetings outside of Orangeville because he doesn’t have a roadworthy vehicle, who “reports” his stories solely based on agendas and minutes and is clearly in support of a 2,400 acre, 200 foot open pit mine-read some of his articles

Minion Mikey, Maid Marian Daniher, Wee Mikey, Daniher: Michael Daniher, childhood friend of John Tory, lawyer, office mate of a registered lobbyist for Highland Companies, principle of “Special Situations”. Several ways to locate him: google him, look for the littlest, smarmiest looking guy at every meeting of Council with clipboard and binder, or just turn over a rock

Andrew Osyany: municipal solicitor

Jiving Jordan: Gerry Jordan, municipal planner-part time job (1 day a month), full time salary ($70,000/year)

David Lowndes: The guy who tried to pull the same open pit mine stunt in Flamborough, with so little luck he had to sell out and oh yeah, brother to John

Open Pit Mine: NOT a gravel pit, NOT a quarry, it is an aggregate operation that mines below the water table

Dufferin County: a place in which there are 15,000 acres of the best prime agricultural land in Canada which has been purchased by Highland Companies for the purpose of an open pit limestone mine and a place where NONE of the principles of Highland Companies live or are eligible to vote

Trick Question

There are two images, but three questions. From the attached picture can you identify:

The Devil Incarnate
Wes the Crypt Keeper Keller
Johnny, If My Lips are Moving I am Lying, Lowndes

Money Doesn't Grow on Trees

But apparently it grows UNDER rocks (same place you can find Daniher’s soul). It is interesting to see how the local politicians are lining up to get their share of the cash and credit regarding the YMCA.

The Melancthon Mayor, out of one side of her mouth, says the YMCA will not compete with the Honeywood arena because the Y won’t have a rink. Out of the other side of her mouth she states that the construction of the Y will involve a large fundraising component.

Lets see.... The community expends hundreds of hours of volunteer capacity a year at the annual Beef Barb-B-Que to raise funds to operate the Honeywood arena but somehow, fundraising for the Y won’t impact the Honeywood arena. There are only so many fundraising $$ to go around, particularly since Highlands has done their best to eradicate the community over the past couple of years by demolishing homes, clear cutting forests, destroying wildlife corridors and habitat and decimating the tax base.

It would be nice to hear, out of either side of her mouth, who is actually going to be funding the capital cost of the YMCA-taxpayers or Lowndes. Word on the “street” is Highland is PISSED at anyone who is objecting or “causing trouble” over the YMCA because they have $12 million they want to pump into this little buyout of local politicians, I mean “gift” to the community.

The value to Highland Companies of investing $12 million to get all of the politician’s support in most municipalities in Dufferin- priceless.

The value of a YMCA to Melancthon Township residents-worthless.

To Melancthon Councillor Elliott’s credit, over a year ago she spoke up on the bus tour on which John Lowndes took local politicians to view YMCA’s in other communities. She stated that she did not feel it appropriate that Highland Companies pay for any of the studies determining the need for the YMCA.

Good for you Janice. We are waiting for you to publically state your opposition to Highlands so we can get behind you in this battle. Don’t wait too long, please.

Who Runs Melancthon Council?

This is submitted by a "guest blogger" and was forwarded to all Dufferin Councils, the YMCA and all local press. Any elected official who still supports initiatives by the Highland Companies is clearly choosing to support the company's bullying tactics over their ratepayers, friends, neighbours, customers-all of the people who have contributed to and built this community. I wonder why these elected officials would do that. It can't be for a vote because the Highland Companies, John Lowndes and Michael Daniher are NOT eligible to vote in the next municipal election. Clearly it has to be something else. Wonder what that could be....

Dear Editor, I was appalled to learn that Highland Companies representative, Michael Daniher has accessed and is using personal opinions and information gathered by the recent YMCA Survey. Could this be a veiled attempt to silence local residents who oppose the Highland Companies proposed 2400 acre , 200 foot deep limestone mine?

At the Oct. 16th Melancthon Council meeting, Mr. Daniher not only publicly announced and named a Melancthon resident who had given a negative opinion to the YMCA Director, Steven Boone, but he had the audacity to announce that the resident had made the call from her place of business as if she had done something wrong. Employees are allowed personal calls on their break time and Canadian citizens have the right to voice their opinions under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

Our Council should never permit a non-resident to enter the sanctity of our council chambers and attempt to make Melancthon ratepayers feel afraid to voice their opinions incase they loose their jobs. This is the third time that ratepayers have witnessed Mr. Daniher creating this atmosphere of fear at Melancthon Council with no reprimand from our Mayor or Councillors. In fact when the Mayor was asked where the money to build the YMCA would come from she handed the question over to Mr. Daniher to answer, despite protests from the ratepayer that the question was asked of Council not Highland Companies. Why is a numbered company funded by a American hedgefund answering questions asked of our elected Canadian officials. This is wrong!

I have friends and neighbours who have written letters to people in power, people who might come to the rescue of Dufferin's precious agricultural land and vital headwaters, but they sign their letters "anonymous" because they are afraid of the power of the Highland Companies.
Melancthon ratepayers all need to get out to council meetings and demand to know : "Who is running our Township?! "

Paying the Piper

WARNING: If Melancthon politicians soon don't start standing up to Highland Companies and Minion Mikey, it will be the ratepayers who will be paying the piper.

Here is hoping that Daniher soon gets tired of playing Lowndes’ flute.

And remember-if you don’t stand for something, you will fall for anything.

Take Your Pick

Lets see, Lowndes wants to "give" us this. He is simply wonderful, I mean the cost alone must be close to $12 million.














Oh, but WAIT, he also wants to "give" us this. And Lowndes will make $18 million an acre from this.


Sounds like a good deal, just not for anyone except Lowndes.

You decide. Perhaps a YMCA would be a good thing for the area, but maybe not so good for the Dundalk and Honeywood arenas who are struggling now.


If would like to comment, either in favour or against the proposed YMCA, email your opinions/comments to the YMCA at steve.boone@ymcagta.org


You should know however, that your comments are in no way anonymous. In fact the YMCA provides Lowndes with copies of emails, comments, names and phone numbers from where the calls originated.

I am sure if they could figure out how to get your DNA they would.

Y do we need a Y-because the EYE says so

Pay close attention to this lesson which is by pissing off the locals you will never get what you want, no matter how low you stoop.

FACT: Lowndes is horny to install a YMCA in the Town of Shelburne

FACT: Lowndes is footing the bill for all the “studies”

FACT: Lowndes refuses to divulge if he will be footing the capital costs of up to $12 million to make his buddy Eddie Munster’s re-election (wet)dreams come true.

FACT: Wee Mikey Daniher made a veiled threat to a ratepayer at the October 15 meeting of Melancthon Council , because, wait for it, this ratepayer DARED to express an opinion that was not in keeping with Lying Lowndes Lofty Life.

ACCOUNT: A ratepayer called the YMCA from the phone at their place of employment, being a government organization, to express an opinion with respect to Highland’s involvement with the YMCA project. The individual was advised by the YMCA to put the concerns in writing and email it directly to the YMCA.

At the October 15 meeting of Melancthon Council, this individual asked a question of the elected officials regarding the YMCA, specifically who would be paying the capital costs of construction, since Melancthon ratepayers already contribute to 3 arenas and 2 pools. Council immediately deferred the question to the unelected, unanointed and unlikeable Mikey Daniher for response.

The first words out of Mikey’s blowhole were he was well aware of this persons objection about Highlands involvement in the project that was emailed to the the YMCA and further he was also well aware of the fact that this person had made a call to the YMCA from their employer’s phone, being a government organization. Kind of sounds like a veiled threat to me.

Now, a few things trouble me. How does Lowndes/Highland/Daniher have access to survey information from the YMCA? How in the hell can this be an unbiased survey when Lowndes is running interference, taking notes and sending his minion to make veiled threats to anyone who DARES to have an opinion?

Also are the surveyors who are calling residents about their opinions on the YMCA advising people this is NOT an anonymous survey, but that in fact their comments, names and phone numbers and probably DNA will be reported directly to Lowndes.

Be careful, BIG BROTHER is watching.

Feel free to contact the YMCA steve.boone@ymcagta.org to express your opinion.

Oh yeah, you might as well cc Daniher, he is going to get a copy of your email anyway. mdaniher@specialsituations.ca

UPDATE

Yet another old brick victorian is being demolished as we speak.

The former Jamieson home is coming down today.

That makes THREE this week.

Lowndes spouts sustainability and green initiatives out his blowhole and yet, there was original trim and doors in this house, I could see inside where the wall had been ripped down.

Could that stuff, at the very least, not have been salvaged?

Apparently not in the world of John Lowndes.

He Will Huff and Puff Until he Blows (all) the Houses Down

This week two more homes were demolished by Lowndes, the Ferguson and Wilcox homes.

To date the former Whitten, Benotto, Ferguson, Speers and Wilcox homes have been demolished by Highland Companies.

They also own homes on the following properties:

Irwin, Webb, Jamieson, Eichhorn, Ed & Lois Downey, Doug & Sandra Downey, Terry & Barb Prentice, Laverty, Elgie, Paul Irwin, Blake Irwin, Bates, Looby, Wilson, Parson, Lyon and Clayton (21 in total)

This is commonly referred to as Community Depopulation or Rural Blockbusting. It is the practice of demolishing homestead after homestead in our municipality, some of which have stood for more than 150 years.

Not only does it decimate the population base, it also means the rest of us will have to pick up the reduced assessment on these now vacant properties. The municipality needs a certain amount of revenue. Properties with houses are assessed more than vacant land. Now that these properties are vacant, the assessment on them will go down. The municipality however still needs the same amount of money so the rest of us pay, pay, pay.

Also that means less people to build community capacity. Lets say 20 homes, 4-6 people to a home equals 120 less people to help out at the Beef B Que, to use the local arena, to volunteer on the fire department, etc., etc.

At NDACT’s June 20 public meeting in Honeywood, Highlands minion Mikey Daniher stated these homes were only demolished because they were condemned and uninsurable. However a bit of investigation revealed that the Chief Building Official (CBO) for the County of Dufferin is the only authorized legislative authority to issue an Unsafe Order under the Building Code.

AND the CBO advised in an email dated June 22, 2009, “None of the(se) properties you are asking about have been as you say "condemned" by the County of Dufferin Building Department”

It would appear another untruth by Highland Companies.

Surprise, surprise, surprise!

The 2006 Stats Canada census shows there were 1,103 private dwellings in Melancthon and 1,040,597 private dwellings in Toronto.

Removing 20 houses from Melancthon equals 2% of the total homes. To remove 2% of the total homes in Toronto equals 20,811 homes.

Do you think if some corporation took down 21,000 homes in Toronto in the name of all things great and beautiful that someone in Toronto would NOT take action?

Melancthon Council was provided with a menu of options to stop this Rural Blockbusting, all of which they ignored.

Remember, homes and people are what make a community.

Next municipal election is fall 2010-think about it-seriously...Do we want 4 more years of the puppet master controlling the puppets?

Another Chapter....

Mayor Fawcett stated at the September 3, 2009 Council meeting that the municipality would NOT be implementing a fee for aggregate applications of say $100,000.00 per application as other municipalities have done. She advised this entire process as a result of Highlands aggregate proposal will not cost Melancthon taxpayers one penny.

In a closed door meeting held October 5, 2009, Council passed a resolution that read in part: "Council is making sure that all costs of the initiative, considered reasonable, are borne by the proponent, and not by the general public.” (Orangeville Citizen, October 8, 2009)

Exactly how Council is ensuring Highlands pays, without it being listed in Melancthons fees and charges bylaw (as required under the existing legislation) is beyond me, but I digress. Clearly they know what they are doing (cough, cough).

I wonder though, if Council could tell us how much Melancthon’s share of battling Highlands over the conflict of interest on the rail line at the County has cost, how much the public meeting on October 5 cost (both in staff and rentals) and how much it cost to have Andrew Osyany write a glowing report on what a wonderful job Council did AT the October 5 public meeting?

After all, none of this would be necessary if it weren’t for the Melancthon Mesiah, aka John (if his Lips are Moving he is Lying) Lowndes.

Further, Mr. Osyany states in this correspondence dated October 6, 2009 that, (and I am paraphrasing here) if you aren’t willing to listen in rapt belief to what Highlands says then you are a “grandstander”.

Remember: Andrew O. gets his job by Council resolution, not by election. Lucky for him, his job is probably safe. Not so much for Council.

Here is a link to the agenda. Andrew’s letter is on page 27 (last page) of correspondence on the October 15, 2009 agenda: http://melancthontownship.ca/council.htm#09

And frankly, you have to see the three ringed circus to believe it. Come out to this Thursdays Council meeting which starts at 6:00 p.m.

Municipal Finance 101

The Aggregate Resources Act O-Reg 244/97 provides that every municipality gets a % of revenue based on tonnage of aggregate removed from the municipality.

Melancthon has tonnes of aggregate being hauled from various pits, the largest being Strada and Nelse Arnold every year and the TOTAL amount that Melancthon received in 2008 was $73,450.28.

Apparently that was a bumper year because, of course, of all the gravel being hauled for Phase II of the windturbines. Normally it isn’t that much.

To me that seems like an awful lot of trucks on the roads for $73,450.28 per year, in a bumper year. That is not the fault of Melancthon Council of course, it is another flawed aggregate policy of the government.

I do not know, but I would doubt that $73,450.28 would pave very many kilometres of road. (Does anyone know what it costs to pave a kilometre of road?)

But wait, that figure is ringing a bell. Oh yeah! That is just exactly $6,534.11 more than what Council paid the municipal planner, Jerry Jorden in 2008. And Council never felt it necessary that he actually had to set foot in the office.

Thank god for gravel or Melancthon Township would not be able to afford a municipal planner.

Local politicians responding to Highland Companies Threatened Mine

How the Grinch (Almost) Stole our Farmland

The Melancthon people liked farming a lot
But Lowndes, an outsider, really did not

Lowndes hated farming! All the farming seasons!
Now, please don't ask why. We ALL know the reasons.

Staring down from his office with a John Lowndsey sneer
"Surely the end of Melancthon is near!"

He thought all the hicks in Melancthon would bite
And were too busy farming to put up a fight

"They are busy planting and digging!" he snarled with a sneer.
"While my open pit mine, is practically here!"

Then he growled, with his Lowndsey fingers nervously drumming,
"I MUST find a way to keep the mine coming!"

And he thought and he thought
...In his small Lowndsey brain...

And that old John Lowndes, he was ever so wise
The hicks would never realize their coming demise

The locals would think they were unable to win
They would move from their farms and take all their kin

But they started complaining, and then to object
But Lowndes thought by golly I am not finished yet

Now the more Lowndes thought of his devilish plan
The more Lowndes did think: “I must own ALL the land!”

“Why I practically own all of Melancthon now!
To own all the rest would be my greatest cash cow!

Then he got an idea, a brilliant idea!
LOWNDES GOT A WONDERFUL, EVIL IDEA!

And he cackled with glee “What a great Lowndsey trick!
With my money and talent, I’ll bamboozle these hicks!

But to his stupendous surprise the hicks all fought back
With a grassroots organization that they called NDACT

“No!” Lowndes cried out, in a murderous rage
As tears of frustration ran down his smug face

His minion called Mikey stood up for his boss
Trying to keep residents from realizing their loss

But now Lowndes gave Mikey a clear ultimatum
“Decimate NDACT, or you’ll see what I’m made of!”

Lowndes sent wee Mikey
Out into the world

Armed with clipboard and binder
And oh, did he toil!

He went to each meeting
And sat with those hicks

Who would not fall for his lies
Or his devilish tricks

At the end of the day, little Mikey returned
With a book full of notes and facts that he’d learned

He informed master Lowndes of his final call:
“Have mercy, kind master, they’ve outsmarted us all!”

We’re finished we’re done, we just can’t dig a mine
And all the locals and yokels thought that that was just fine.

Freedom of the Press (but only if you can pay for it)

Approximately 3-4 weeks ago the Orangeville Citizen/ Shelburne Free Press coverage of Melancthon council happenings and Highland Companies plan to mine 2,400 acres of prime agricultural land underwent a change in focus.

I noticed the reporter who covered this issue since at least January 2009 has disappeared from the pages. I now see articles by Wes the Crypt Keeper Keller, although he is noticeably absent from the meetings on which he is reporting.

I have also noticed that in the past 3-4 weeks, one to two full page ad(s) per week for the Highland Companies have begun appearing in the same paper. I priced this size of ad and the cost runs from $800.00 to $1,000.00 per week PER AD.

This also seems to coincide with rumours that the Citizen/Free Press is having financial difficulties.

I am sure it must be a bizarre coincidence that the one reporter who was offering a viewpoint not in keeping with the corporate messaging of Highland Companies has disappeared from the pages of the paper, while the Highland Companies advertising has increased substantially, creating a new income source for the paper.

You know what else I have noticed? The Shelburne Fair was 3-4 weeks ago and this “local” paper has yet to report on the event. Guess the Fair board will have to pay to take out an ad if they want some “local” coverage in their “local” paper on this “local” event.

A “Highland” event involving press coverage, money, good will and good deeds usually has local politicians, dignitaries and the paper tripping over themselves to stand beside King John/Maid Daniher touching the corner of that oversized cardboard cheque and smiling lovingly on the Melancthon Mesiah. The local fair, not so much.

If you are wondering about this, why don’t you call Tom Claridge, Editor at (519) 941-2230 to discuss? Tell him you are mining for the truth.

He Knows His Prose

Kudos to the VERY best reporter that the Citizen has ever had. I mean Wes the Crypt Keeper Keller MUST be the best because he has stellar reports like the one linked here and he doesn’t even attend the meetings.

Somehow he just nose how to phrase his prose, or else he is just reading from the minutes and “phoning” it in.

http://www.citizen.on.ca/news/2009/1008/regional_news/013.html

Hmm. I wonder…..

Planning (to make a fortune off Melancthon ratepayers) Issues

When (and not if) the Official Plan Amendment (OPS) and Zoning Bylaw Amendment (ZBA) applications are filed by Highlands, the municipality has 180 and 120 days respectively to do their due diligence and make a decision. To most of us, it would make sense to get subject matter experts AT THE EXPENSE OF THE PROPONENT to conduct third party studies to ensure that a project of this magnitude has been properly studied.

But in the infinite wisdom of the municipal planner, Jerry Jorden, studies by subject matter experts are not necessary. No studies, only peer reviews will be done. Although, come to think of it, in the case of the wind turbines, not a single peer review WAS done. And if I am not mistaken Jorden was at the helm then as the municipal planner, as he has been since the days of Reeve Oldfield and Clerk Hunter (1970’s I believe).

I guess we have to take Mr. Jorden at his word that things will be done right this time regarding this massive aggregate proposal, as opposed to the way things were done with the massive turbine proposal. With respect to studies, I guess we are just supposed to take Highland Companies and John (If his Lips are Moving he is Lying) Lowndes and his experts at their word....hm.....my eye is twitching already.

And to be fair to Council, Jorden is the township planner and Council takes his expert advice. I would suggest however that something in this “expert” advice is perhaps lacking.

Here is a little tidbit for your consideration and PLAN to be surprised.

In 2008, the planning fees paid to Mr. Jorden were $66,916.17 and he never set foot in the office on any regular basis, nor was he dealing with a massive planning issue such as a 2,400 acre, 200 foot deep open pit mine. Nice work if you can get it. In 2009, it is estimated, based on 2009 year to date figures that he will earn close to $70,000.00. AND he only started attending at the office ONCE A MONTH as of April 2009.

For that kind of money, the municipality could have a full time planner in the office five days a week who could perhaps assist the CAO/Clerk/Treasurer with legislative research, best practices by other municipalities with respect to aggregate and turbines proposals, bylaw preparation on, oh say, tree cutting and of course measuring the the desks to be purchased which was what Council was so obsessed at a recent Council meeting.

According to Deputy Mayor Hill every $12,000.00 in property taxes results in a 1% tax levy, meaning Jordens bill alone represents 5.8% of your tax bill. If you don’t feel this is a good use of your tax dollars, contact the municipality ASAP via email addressed to Mayor and Council at dholmes@melancthontownship.ca and let them know your thoughts.

If you are like me, you have probably just thrown up in your mouth a little bit after reading this…

Recipe (for disaster)

Take one 2,400 acre hole in the ground.

Use contaminated water from said hole to fill a large pot.

Place stones from the large hole in the ground into pot.

Season to taste. Bring to a boil and enjoy.....stone soup.

Public Meeting

Council is holding a public meeting tonight at the Honeywood arena (upstairs) at 7 p.m. Staff from various Ministries and Conservation Authorities will be in attendance.

Question period is 1/2 hour and will be limited (in Council's words) to process questions.

C U there...

UPDATE: The meeting was well attended, great questions were asked and I would expect that Highlands will be purchasing a new sound system for the room just shortly. Always looking for new projects.

Still seems to be resistance on Council's part to be proactive and it came as a surprise to many that there was a Council meeting earlier today.

The best part was the many new faces in the audience tonight and the different people asking questions. This is no longer a "local" issue, people are realizing this is going to have serious repercussions and impacts on a large part of the population of Ontario.

Can't see the forest for (Lowndes cutting down all) the trees

This is a picture of approximately 300 trees that were ripped out in one day by Highlands. Additionally Highlands has cut thousands and thousands of trees down in Melancthon without proper permits. In fact NDACT proved 9 contraventions of the bylaw by Highlands.

This should have been covered under the County tree cutting bylaw, however County staff, specifically Caroline Mach, at her own discretion and without the knowledge of Council, gave non-existent exemptions to this company for cutting.

For two years, commencing in the spring of 2007, residents of Melancthon continually contacted Caroline Mach, the County Forester to advise of tree cutting and as late as January 2009 Caroline continued to tell individuals who called and emailed that she knew of no excessive tree cutting in Melancthon.

In fact I called and was told the tree cutting was exempt under the bylaw for agriculture and when I called back after reading the bylaw to say no such exemption was in the bylaw and she concurred.

When Caroline and County Councillors were questioned at various public meetings why exemptions that were not provided for in the bylaw were given by staff, no satisfactory explanations were ever given. Caroline stated it had been her practice to provide these non-existent exemptions for at least 15 years. County Councillors admitted they had no idea this was going on.

Bylaws are public documents and are passed at public meetings. Ratepayers, who pay Council and staff to implement and enforce bylaws, should expect that what they read in the bylaw as passed by Council should be the law. This does not appear to be the case at the County of Dufferin.

When County Council was questioned as to the amount of the fine as provided for in the bylaw would be imposed on Highlands for illegally cutting the trees in contravention of the bylaw, Council stated it had never been their practice to actually fine anyone.

Further, Warden Montgomery stated: "Council has to support staff and staff said it was allowed."

A member of NDACT challenged by asking, "Are you saying the infractions were not proven?" to which the Warden responded, "No."

Then the esteemed Mayor of Orangeville stated AND I AM QUOTING YOU VERBATUM Mr. Adams: “staff have done their job and it isn’t up to ratepayers or County Council to question them.”

Wow, I have heard of a kangaroo court and but this is a new one, perhaps it should be called a Dufferin Democracy?

During this entire discussion at County Council Melancthon's Mayor Fawcett, did not ask ONE single question or make one comment.

At this same meeting, Mayor Crewson, despite having taken part in tree discussions involving Highlands at other County meetings, decided the going was getting too hot for him and he might actually lose some business from Highlands if he voted to fine them money for their illegal tree cutting, stood up and made a grand pronouncement that suddenly he was declaring a pecuniary interest due to Highlands being his client at his insurance company.

So lets see, Crewson can take part in discussions to help “his golden boy” Lowndes, for several months, right up until the hard decisions need to be made and then suddenly pull the old pecuniary interest out of his hat and refuse to participate in the discussion any longer, conveniently protecting his livelihood and his children’s futures.

Too bad those of us who actually live in Melancthon (did I mention that Lowndes doesn’t) can’t actually do that too, Mr. Crewson.

More in another post sometime on (in my opinion) another questionable decision Crewson made.

Dejavu all over again?

Watch for these attempts to disarm us:

They may underplay the company's foreign ownership and overplay its experience:

Their media campaign will likely be professional, friendly and relentless. Expect to see them in all the local newspapers in various forms including advertisements with the the company's name and logo accompanied; pictures of the company's representatives surrounded by local and provincial politicians and officials;

Expect rhetoric about responsible industry leadership, with a local heritage and world-wide expertise;

Expect commentary emphasizing Environmental Stewardship profiling the wetlands near their properties;

Expect generous donations made to various Community programs, such as the arts, education, sports\recreation, and conservation groups.Watch for these attempts to divide and conquer the Community;

Businesses and individuals encountering the immediate negative financial impacts from the proposed quarry, such local realtors and homeowners with homes for sale, may be pitted against the Community as a whole;

They will likely avoid having an open debate of the issue with knowledgeable people;

Community Open Houses hosted to "provide more information about the project and offer Community members the opportunity to ask questions and give feedback" provide very little detailed information, and only a continuation of the general assurances that everything will be OK;

Selected employees may even move in to the proposed quarry neighbourhood to demonstrate that it's alright to live next to a quarry;

I bet you are thinking this relates to Highlands.

WRONG. This was pulled word for word off the FORCE website in the tactics being employed by St. Marys in the Flamborough quarry. (check the link: http://www.stopthequarry.ca/StMarys/StMarysCement.php)

Does sound awfully familiar though, doesn't it? Although then it would, since both the Lying Lowndes brothers have their fingers all over both of these "projects".

I am back.

In a letter that appeared on the September 17, 2009 Melancthon Council agenda from Deputy Mayor Bill Hill to a ratepayer, the DM states:

"In the latest public communication that accompanied the (sic Highlands) video, it was stated that there would be about 450-470 jobs in total created. While many people may not like this comment, that is a significant number of jobs for our community and with the job losses that have occurred could be a welcome "lift" for many familes".

Okay, where to start?

Firstly, Lying Lowndes was asked by Melancthon Council last spring to appear at a council meeting to justify these figures, which to date King John has not deemed necessary to beckon to the call of Council. I wonder, just who is the puppet and who is the puppeteer, but I digress....

Secondly, if Lying Lowndes doesn't deem it necessary to appear at Council at their request to explain about the absurd number of jobs his company is publically spouting, why in the hell is the Deputy Dog reiterating these "supposed facts"?

Thirdly, I did do MY due diligence and I went to the Highlands public, albeit heavily guarded, meeting in July. I asked about these "jobs" and was advised by Highlands highly paid experts that these jobs are comprised of:

bean counters in Boston
Lowndes and Danhier's jobs
all the jobs of the highly paid consultants at that public meeting
the jobs to manufacture the steel for the railroad
the jobs to lay the railroad
the shipping jobs, from Owen Sound to....??? a slow boat to China
the jobs involved in the so called "rehabilitation" of the mine, which of course will involve planting tender fruit trees
and on and on and on.....

Think about this....Strada has 3 full time employees to date.

Also, the 450 job number does NOT factor into the job losses from loss of agricultural land....

Deputy Dog Hill, PLEASE do your homework and start acting on behalf of the ratepayers...we implore you.....

If you can't do that, at the very least, please STOP spouting Lying Lowndes rhetoric, until at least he produces in a public meeting of Council, on record, some hard and true studies to back up his "claims".

On Hiatus

Taking a break...but remember....

It is hard to fight a battle of the wits with an unarmed man.

Here is an idea...

Here is a novel concept. Elected officials doing what they are supposed to do, working FOR their communities, not taking part in a 20 minute discussion at a Council meeting about the desks that staff need to purchase or whether the rims should be removed from tires before being taken the local dump. Desks and dumps are things staff need to deal with. Council, you have much more important issues in front of you on which to focus your efforts and attention.

Here is an example of what other Councillors are doing.

Councillor McCarthy a Councillor in Hamilton, has fought side by side with her ratepayers from day one BEFORE a huge open pit aggregate operation was applied for. She has attended meetings with ratepayers, set up a website dedicated to this issue, written to the province and lobbied on behalf of her constituents. Here is a link to her site: http://www.margaretmccarthy.ca/

Staff at Halton Region is recommending that Halton push the province to step up its review of quarry operations in light of the fact they are facing Nelson Aggregate’s proposed expansion of a 52-hectare quarry in north Burlington, Dufferin Aggregates proposed expansion an existing quarry in Halton Hills and by St. Marys Cement Inc. for a site in Hamilton, close to its boundary with Burlington.

Oakville and Mississauga residents and politicians are taking their concerns about a proposed gas-fired power plant directly to Queen’s Park on Monday. The residents groups, accompanied by Oakville Mayor Rob Burton and Mississauga Mayor Hazel McCallion, will appear at the Queen’s Park Media Studio, at 10 a.m., where they will present the community’s case for stopping the installation of the power plant.This group will also be recognized during the Legislative Assembly’s question period at 10:30 a.m. and will hold a rally on the legislature’s front lawn at noon to draw political and media attention to their cause.

PLEASE, Melancthon Council, rather than sitting around saying we can't do anything, it is the province's fault, go and do the job for which you were elected to do as a politican and that is LOBBY the provincial government on issues which are threatening your municipality. Raise the profile in the media and with the provincial government.

Dewatering 101

The 2,400 acre open pit mine must be dewatered, that is a FACT, not an allegation (in case Wes the "crypt keeper" Keller happens to be reading this).

What is dewatering? This is the removal of large quantities of fresh clean water to lower the water table in the area in which aggreates are being removed. The water must be removed at a faster rate than it can be recharged in order to keep th hole dry while they mine. This will result in what is known as the cone of depression, which is NOT the same as the cone of silence that local Councils, both upper and lower tier have apparently intiated with respect to John Lowndes and his shenangians.

What problems does dewatering create?

The water table in the immediate area of the pump will drop. Wells in the draw-down area will have their water levels drop or the wells can go dry. Nature likes to remain in balance. To keep the water level in equilibrium, ground water will be drawn from every direction, for a large radius, to replace the water removed. The direction of the ground-water flow will be altered; all water will be drawn toward the area being dewatered.

Do not forget, more than 1 million Ontarians live in the watershed of the Grand and Nottawasaga Rivers.

While Highlands is mining this massive open pit mine, they need to pump water which presents them with that little "problemo" about what to do with the huge quantities of water they pump?

Well, they are proposing something called a Groundwater Recirculation System (GRS). What is that you ask? It means, to get rid of the water that is pumped, Highland proposes to reinject it into the aquifer.

Altogether now....WHAAAAAAAAAAAATTTTT?

I hear you asking yourself, "I thought the Ontario government was offering, in fact, insisting that if I had an old well head on my property that I should immediately cap it, for fear that a dead mouse, cow shit or some other contaminents were inadvertinently introduced to the aquifer and I ruined mankind as we know it?" Well, you are right the government DID worry about that.

SOOOO, I have to ask, how in the freak could anyone decide that they needed to become more insanely rich than they already are with this harebrained scheme? I would suggest that a highly paid guru, I mean consultant, said a helicopter, yachts and private schools are pretty costly Mr. Lowndes so in order to finance that off the backs of the unsuspecting, let put out some vodoo, hodoo, mumbo jumbo around the Melancthon application and see what floats.

I think we all know that while shit floats, it also runs downhill.... right into the aquifer.

When enough water has been removed, another problem will result called land subsidence. Land subsidence happens when an aquifer is over-pumped. Water between the soil particles is replaced with air space; the soil is no longer buoyed up by the water, the soil surface collapses. The results are soil compaction and sink holes. The soil's structure is destroyed; it will no longer ever be able to store water. These changes are permanent and irreversible.

Lowndes clearly has been promised $$$$ and as a result the life/soul has been replaced with, well nothing, referred to as "human subsidence".

Page 20 of Highlands material presented at their heavily guarded open house on July 25, 2009 in Hornings Mills states: "bottom line-no adverse effects on water".

I would add to the statement "bottom line-no adverse effects on water.....provided you do no live in the watershed of the Grand or Nottawasa Rivers."

Sudden (economic) Impact

On the September 17, 2009 Council agenda, Deputy Dog Hill makes the following statement in a letter to a ratepayer:

“In the latest “public communication” (from Highlands) that accompanied the video, it was stated that there would be about 450-470 jobs in total created. While many people may not like this comment, that is a significant number of jobs for our community and with the job losses that have occurred could be a welcome “lift” for many families.”

Did the Deputy Mayor take the initiative to question any of the highly paid guru’s at Highlands open house in July on these “local jobs”? I and others did and we found that they are not so much “local jobs” as “localish” jobs, if you count a bean counter in Boston as local.

These 450-470 jobs, according to Highlands staff, include the jobs:

processing the payroll out of Boston
manufacturing of the steel for the railroad
construction of the railroad
experts and consultants hired by Highlands throughout the application process
Lowndes and Daniher’s jobs are included in that count
overseas in construction where the aggregate will be used
manufacturing/repairing the massive pumps needed to keep the hole dry
the “rehabilitation” of the mine, which will not occur for many, many years if at all

I could go on, but I think everyone, except perhaps Council, gets the point. The only way there will be 450-470 local jobs from this mine is if they use pickaxes, shovels and pit ponies.

Think about it. Strada has extracted about 100 acres of gravel and has three (YES that is 3) FULL time “local” jobs. The rest are seasonal trucking jobs who’s drivers are mostly out of the city. I have never seen any of these individuals stop and purchase groceries or lumber at a local store in town on their way to OR from work nor do they contribute to the community, because well, they don’t live here.

Then there is the job loss. I would THINK that for every acre of prime agricultural land taken out of commission, jobs in the agricultural field are lost. Now I am not a math major, in fact basically I am only a Major Nuisance (and salute when you say that), but by my calculations, if Highlands is currently farming 7,000 acres and employs 70 people, that means it takes one employee to farm 100 acres in the Highlands hierarchy. When 2,400 acres of formerly prime agricultural land are mined, that would mean a loss of 24 full time agricultural jobs. Right?

So why would our elected officials, both local and County, gamble on our future and water for jobs that will be elsewhere on the planet and absolutely NO benefit to Melancthon or Dufferin County?

Just ....mining for the truth.....

He Shoots...He (doesn't) Score

In a letter dated September 9, 2009 that appeared on the September 17, 2009 Council agenda, Deputy Dog Hill makes the following explanation to a ratepayer as to why Council has not acted on any of the recommendations the public has made to battle this mine:

“Think of it is this way. If we were playing a hockey game we would develop a definite strategy. We’d have our key players and key plays lined up so we could do our best to win the game and defeat the opponent.”

I wonder why there is such a disconnect between the way Council perceives how they are battling this application and the way the public sees it.

I think of it this way. Council is standing in front of an open net and player after player is passing the puck to them and rather than dropping the puck into the net, Council is deflecting them all away.

No offence, but isn’t the best defence a good offence?

Mama's Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be....

“No plant, animal, bird, reptile or fish species at risk. No significant wetlands, woodlots or areas of natural or scientific interest. Bottom line-NO impact on water” (Pages 18 & 20 of Highlands Handout from July 25, 2009 Open House)

Seriously??? A 2,400 acre, 200 foot open pit mine that will require pumping until the end of time to keep the hole dry and there is NO impact on ANYTHING?

Wonder how this mama snapping turtle would feel about that statement as she laid her eggs on the 5th line in Melancthon, mere steps from the “Lowndes Land Assembly”? I guess she won't be impacted because she has special status under the Endangered Species Act??? She should feel good that a piece of paper is going to keep her and her babies safe, because Highlands has no intention of doing so.

Quite frankly, I think I would rather try my chances petting a snapping turtle than a wolf in sheep’s clothing....

Railroading Melancthon

“... Mr. Lowndes said there is provision at the Highland plant to use rail service if available but, should rail not be restored, the quarry would proceed if approved.”(Orangeville Citizen, July 30, 2009)

“Market is Greater Golden Horseshoe and Simcoe County. Shipments primarily southward” (page 23 of Highlands Handout from July 25, 2009 Open House)

If the aggregate is for the Greater Golden Horseshoe and Simcoe County as Highland claims, they have some explaining to do as to why they would want to purchase and rebuild the rail line to an open port in Owen Sound at a conservatively estimated cost of a ¼ of a BILLION dollars.

Now I am not a geography major, and in fact when I travel and I have to get home via a map, I need to turn it upside down to retrace my route, but isn’t a rail line to Owen Sound NORTH of the proposed mine and isn’t Simcoe County EAST of the proposed mine?

Then again, Lowndes doesn't live anywhere near here so maybe he is just confused.

Then again, methinks that Highlands, aka “Johnny, If my Lips are Moving I am Lying, Lowndes” has thrown that in there because section 2.5.2.1 of the Provincial Policy Statement (PPS) says:

“As much of the mineral aggregate resources as is realistically possible shall be made available as close to markets as possible.”

It would appear that Lowndes CAN suck and blow at the same time. That is he can build a rail line north to an open port that leads anywhere in the world, even to say China, but he can claim his limestone will be used within a few miles east of his mega mine. Wonder where the aggreate from the proposed gravel pit on Airport Road is destined for then?

Seriously though, he doesn’t have to go to all that work to bamboozle local and County Councils. If Lying Lowndes told them that he could bend over and a new galaxy would issue forth from his ass, they would fall all over themselves thanking him for the “economic benefits” to the community.

Perhaps, however, the provincial ministry bureaucrats have heard it all and won’t be so easily swayed, because quite frankly that appears to be our last hope.

Foot and mouth disease....

Excerpt from an article in the fall 2009 issue of In the Hills titled: High Stakes in High County

“Blacks heard that Lowndes was talking to their creditors. Their seed grower in Saskatchewan phoned them to say that Lowndes wanted to pay their seed bill – a way to get control of them, the Blacks figured.

Lowndes counters that Black and other members of NDACT were just too greedy to accept his offers. “There was a discussion with his seed creditor,” he admits, but says it was the creditor who approached Highland. “We could have done that [struck a deal with the creditor]. We did not do that.”

I am not sure, BUT, if as Lowndes asserts that Blacks creditors called Highlands to discuss purchasing Blacks debt, why would the creditor then call Blacks to tell them about the deal? Hmm.

Lets just say, IN MY OPINION, if Lowndes lips are moving, he is lying.

Read the full article at: http://inthehills.ca/features/melancthon/

And to recap, the King of the county, the Messiah of Melancthon, Johnny Lowndes is calling his royal subjects greedy. I guess I can see why they pay Maid Marian Daniher to do the press “spin” with quotes like that being issued forth from the blackhole of Lowndes, sort of like that kid in the exorcist spewing vile.

These “greedy” individuals to whom King John is referring, are the pillars of the community who’s families have lived here for generations. Their “work” is to raise their families, go to Church, contribute to their community through volunteer service and put food on the tables of Ontarians. All they want, is continue to do that and yet King John would brand them as greedy.

And Obama thought Kanye West was an ass.

On Hiatus

On hiatus for a few days.

Notable Quotable-Part 2

“John Lowndes' brother David is associated with the development of a quarry in Flamborough which was sold to St. Mary's cement.... Mr. Daniher says neither St. Mary's nor its parent company in Mexico are among the investors in Highlands.” (Orangeville Citizen, January 22, 2009)

“Roads Superintendent reported that the Mayor received a complaint of trees being planted on the 4th Line OS by Dave Lowndes. This is in the experimental stages and Mr. Lowndes would like comments after the winter.”, (Melancthon Council minutes, November 6, 2008)

Comment:
Wow, a rich and busy man like David Lowndes, he of the Flamborough pit/St. Mary’s Cement, who has absolutely nothing to do with brother John’s business dealings, according to John Lowndes, just comes to the depths of Melancthon to help brother John, out of the goodness of his heart, NOT because he has anthing to do financial/business wise in anything that "bro" John is doing.

What a humanitarian, what a great guy, what a crock of crap.

Ye Olde Good News and Ye Olde Bad News

Hear ye, Hear ye

King Lowndes has some good news and some bad news for his subjects.

First the bad news, he is digging a 2,400 acre, 200 foot limestone mine in Melancthon

The good news, according to (Maid Marian) Daniher? "Highland spokesman Michael Daniher noted that the proposed 2,400- acres licence area "is less than half the size our critics had predicted.", (Shelburne Free Press, August 20, 2009)

I know this loyal subject is relieved. Aren't you? What the hell am I complaining about, jeez.

I challenge (Maid Marian) Daniher, however to find anywhere in writing that any opponent of the mine has stated the mine would be 7,000 acres in size.

Notable Quotable - Part 1

“To the apparent surprise of some in the gallery at Melancthon council last Thursday, Mayor Debbie Fawcett stated unequivocally that the council is not in favour of a 2,400-acre quarry. And, to protestations from the gallery that it was the first time she or the council had stated its position, the mayor said she had said the same at The Highland Companies' open house.”, (Orangeville Citizen, September 10, 2009)

“It’s been rumoured for years, so it’s not that much of a surprise to us,” she said, of the news that Highland plans to seek approvals for a quarry. “Can we stop it? I don’t think we can stop it. Can we get the best deal for the community? We’ll try as best we can ... to make it as safe as possible.” Mayor Fawcett, (Orangeville Banner, June 23, 2009)

Kudos to Council

The local paper reports today that at the September 3, 2009 meeting of Council, Melancthon Council has at last made a public statement that they are not in favour of a 2,400 acre, 200 foot open pit mine.

So lets give credit where credit is due and kudos to Council...BUT, and I am sure you can hear the but coming....BUT this is not enough.

Words must be followed by actions. What exactly is Council doing to win the battle over this proposed 2,400 acre, 200 foot open pit mine in favour of the status quo which is prime agricultural land within an hour of the GTA?

Council, so far, has been outmanoeuvred at every step in the wind turbine process and it does not appear as though they have used the "Lessons Learned" from that exercise to prepare themselves for the biggest fight of their political lives to be undertaken on behalf of the ratepayers of Melancthon.

"Melancthon Mayor Debbie Fawcett said, if the application comes forward, it’s unlikely the municipality will be able to prevent Highland from setting up a quarry operation" (June 23, 2009 Orangeville Banner).

This is quite simply untrue, there is much that can be done and this CAN be stopped. Please read up on the Adams Mine, Site 41, Flamborough Quarry and Melon Lake for references and hope.

Will it be costly? It doesn't have to be, but our Mayor said at the September 3, 2009 Council meeting that the municipality would NOT be implementing a fee to aggregate proponents, of say $100,000.00 per application as other municipalities have done. She stated this entire process isn't going to cost Melancthon taxpayers one penny and there was no need to pass a by-law to ensure the proponent will pay.

Just wondering, but what has the conflict of interest issue between Orangeville, Dufferin County and Highlands regarding the rail line cost Dufferin taxpayers to date?

Perhaps the Mayor could let her ratepayers know what Melancthon's share of this bill is and when Highlands can be expected to remit payment.

The Melancthon Lament

(Sung to the tune of I've Been Working on the Railroad)

Verse 1:
John's been working on a railroad
To haul our limestone away
Lowndes will rake in all the money
Meanwhile all the taxpayers pay

Orangeville wants a train so badly
They were quick to sell their vote
Now they shake their heads so sadly
'Cause the judge says "That don't float"

Chorus:
Johnny don't you know
As big as you can blow
You can't buy everyone

Johnny stick your mine
Where the sun don't shine
You can't buy everyone

Verse 2:
The train will chug to Owen Sound
And only rocks will make the trip
Paul Martin's waiting with a shovel
To load them on his ship

Can't you hear Melancthon crying
Council won't you stand and fight
We'll be eating rocks for supper
And drinking from a dike

Repeat Chorus and Verse over and over again until Council gets the message

Size Matters

The worlds largest open pit limestone mine is comprised of 5,000 acres and is located in Roger's City Michigan. It has been in operation for 96 years and at maximum capacity employs 120 individuals. Here is a link to a view from space of the mine.

http://www.rogerscity.com/pdfs/Quarry_from_Space.pdf

Just think. King John Lowndes owns 7,000 acres. Once you get a 2,400 acre hole dug and people finally understand that you can NOT rehabilitate a 200 foot below the water table hole, why not keep digging? After all, with limestone worth $18 million an acre it is well worth it, for King John and his Boston hedge fund investors, that is. Wouldn't want to see them do without, that is for sure.

And of course something else to look forward to: Melancthon will be in the Guiness Book of World Records for having the biggest man made hole in the world that you can see from space.

The Truth is out there, you just have to "dig" for it

Highlands Hype:

in 2007
“Trevor Downey of Downey Farms and John Lowndes both say the intent in Melancthon is merely to have a world-class potato operation.” (Orangeville Citizen, June 27, 2007 author Wes Keller)

in 2009
“In a phone interview Tuesday, Michael Daniher of the Toronto consulting firm of Special Situations Inc. — representing The Highlands Companies Inc. — said the group has never attempted to hide the fact that it will continue farming while looking beyond for other opportunities such as wind and bedrock resources.” (Orangeville Citizen, January 22, 2009 author Wes Keller)

Truth:
The very first time that Highland Companies admitted publically that they were searching for bedrock opportunities (meaning a 2,400 acre, 200 foot open pit mine) was five days after NDACT held their inaugural meeting on January 17, 2009 at the Honeywood arena at which there was a standing room only crowd. Notably, (King John) Lowndes refused to attend, but Michael, (Maid Marian) Daniher did. Prior to that time this company denied, denied, denied....

At the January 17 meeting in Honeywood, Daniher refused to admit he was a lawyer and stood up and made a grand statement about what a great entity Highlands was and all the good deeds they were doing, but made ABSOLUTELY no mention of aggregate "exploration". A member of the audience then stood up and said in fact she, that very week, had been in contact with the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Ministry of Environment and in fact (King John) Lowndes et al had been in contact with these various ministries regarding aggregate licensing and the province was realigning staffing because the application they were expecting was so massive.

Five days later a quote from (Maid Marian) Daniher, BFF of John Tory, appeared in the local paper stating everyone else was mistaken, just not Highlands. In fact the following quote appeared: “Mr. Daniher would not confirm that the group has already discussed aggregate extraction with the Province, but he did say it had discussed a number of issues with a number of ministries.” (Orangeville Citizen, January 22, 2009, author Wes Keller)

Highlands Open House

I attended Highlands Open House in Hornings Mills in July 2009 to ask questions as did many members of the community.

The first thing I noticed was a strong police presence at the entrance of the Hornings Mills Hall. Two officers in full police regalia with guns, batons, handcuffs, the works. Now I love a man in a uniform (who doesn’t?), but this was a bit much, even for me. Perhaps Mr. Lowndes the front man for the Highland Companies, does not truly enjoy or trust having to inter-mingle with mere peons in his kingdom and felt better knowing the police were only steps away to protect him from the riff raff. Or perhaps it was an intimidation tactic on his part, just to remind people who is in charge?

I wonder, when he must travel to Melancthon if he brings a food tester with him, like Kings used to when they couldn't trust their subjects. Just asking....

I can’t say for sure why the police were there, but the official party spin, sorry explanation, after the open house, when the police presence was criticized by the public, was that Highlands had the police there for parking control to HELP the public.

Hm, I don’t know much but I do know that it is hard to provide parking control when you are standing inside a building, but then what do I know? I thought when you mined 2,400 acres to a depth of 200 feet that you leave a big HOLE in the ground, but according to Lowndes, “You don’t end up with a great big hole in the ground, you end up re-shaping the landscape.” (Orangeville Banner, July 27, 2009) So there, live and learn.

Next I noticed the public walking out of the building, some shaking their heads, some laughing, some grim and at least one woman crying at the ridiculous official information that was being foisted on the public. According to Highlands mining 2,400 acres to a depth of 200 feet has absolutely no impact on wildlife, watersheds, people, traffic, noise, etc. and keeping the water out of the HUGE hole, sorry re-shaped landscape, is the same thing as how your sump pump keeps water out of your basement. That might be true, if you live where John Lowndes lives, which is nowhere near Melancthon.

Guess they had to dumb it down for us local yokels so we could fully understand what they are trying to do. Don't know about you, but I know what they are trying to do and all I can say is I usually like to get kissed first.

The next thing I noticed were Highlands highly paid consultants circling the room like jackals looking for their next prey. If a member of the public approached to ask a question, immediately several other Highlands employees would form a protective circle. It reminded me of Scientologists surrounding lone, lost college students in airports with a view to befriending and converting them. I presume this informal circle jerk (for lack of a better expression) was to ensure that the official party line was being recited with no deviations.

I also noticed that Highlands own L. Ron Hubburd, “OUR” John Lowndes was never alone, ever. Not only was he protected by a strong and well armed police presence at the front door, he was completely surrounded at all times by his highly paid comrades, all touting the party line, all forming a united front and oh yeah, covering Lowndes ass.

I am sure at one point someone would have had to remind him that he was in Melancthon Township because of course the surroundings wouldn’t be familiar to him as he doesn’t live here (did I mention that?), nor does he “work” here. A numbered company with which he is affiliated owns land here and employs people who live and work here, but not our saviour, John Lowndes, no siree.

Melancthon isn’t good enough for Mr. Lowndes, but then who can blame him? I am sure he hasn’t purchased a home or wants to raise a family here because he is probably worried about property depreciation , dust, noise, health, water and traffic IF, not when the mine is established, and he should be concerned about those issues. He is a smart, smart man.

His “work” appears to be lobbying provincial and federal politicians, rubbing elbows with the big wigs and laying low so he doesn’t piss off too many of the locals with his unrehearsed statements. His wormtail/ lackey, Michael Daniher, a highly paid lawyer who shares an office address with a political lobbyist who is registered with the government as lobbying on behalf of Highlands, is basically the face of the company. Daniher attends all local council meetings and issues official statements to the local press. I bet they wet their pants when they see another full page $1,000.00 ad coming their way from Highlands to buff up their sagging coffers.

If you are looking for balanced reporting in your local paper, good luck. You have about as much luck finding that as you have of finding a Melancthon or Mulmur Councillor who seems to have a clue.

P.S. to local politicians-the company fronted by Lowndes may own lots of land, but a numbered company can not vote in a municipal election, nor can Lowndes because of course HE DOESN'T LIVE HERE (did I mention that?).

Menu of Options as Presented to Council

Over the past year a menu of options as to how to prepare to fend off the threat that Highlands massive open pit mine poses to the community has been presented to our Council by ratepayers, subject matter experts and NDACT, all to no avail.

Our Council, in their infinate wisdom, has decided that it would be too costly to do anything at all, except of course getting their picture in the paper with John Lowndes as often as possible, so they will wait and let a group of individuals appointed to the Ontario Municipal Board, most of whom will not even know where Melancthon Township is located, decide the fate of our community.

It is my understanding that elected officials receive a paycheque from taxpayers for setting a vision and then managing and leading the municipality toward that vision. Sadly, our Mayor is far too busy washing dishes in the Hornings Mills Hall on weekends and working with Highland Companies in securing a YMCA for the Town of Shelburne to really effect and lead in any battle strategy in Melancthon that would protect residents.

Our Council does not appear to understand that doing nothing at all will be far more costly.

What is the menu of options that has been offered to Council to date, you ask?

Prepare a Strategic Plan – no action taken
Meet with Ministers at the Association of Municipalities of Ontario AMO conference in August 2009 – no action taken
Move to have the subject lands designated under the Environmental Assessment Act – no action taken
Seek and obtain a specialty crop designation for the subject lands – no action taken
Appeal to the OMB to force the province to take action on the five year review of the Official Plan that has been at the province for years – no action taken
Amend the OP to include a comprehensive list of studies required when an OPA is filed to have criteria to determine whether an application is considered complete – no action taken
Amend the OP to provide that that all studies in the OP have to be municipally directed and paid for at the expense of the applicant –no action taken
Incorporate the AEMOT study into the OP – no action takenUpdate the OP and aggregate policies and/or fees which could include amending the fees and charges for an OPA for an aggregate application of at least $100,000.00 – no action taken
Put conditions in place where a deposit of ½ billion dollars is on deposit by the applicant of a gravel application of this magnitude, so that residents can access that to prove their water issue problems against Highlands – no action taken
As recommended more than five years previously by opponents of Strada hire an aggregate specialist to guide the municipality through the process AT THE EXPENSE of the applicant NOT taxpayers – no action taken
Pass a municipal tree cutting bylaw – no action taken
Pass a bylaw under Section 33 of the Planning Act regarding demolition of structures – no action taken
Move a motion at County Council to fine Highland Companies for the nine proven contraventions by Highland Companies with respect to tree cutting – no action taken
Heritage Designation for century homes – no action taken
Interim control bylaw under Section 38 of the Planning Act – no action taken
Request the assistance of an inter-ministerial technical working group with representatives from all impacted ministries and agencies to guide the municipality through the process –no action taken

Now, to be fair what has our Council done in the past few months? Well, firstly they have saved us from the invasive species known as Giant Hogweed and as I mentioned before are working their collective asses off with John Lowndes in ensuring that Melancthon taxpayers, who already pay toward three arenas and two swimming pools, will have the luxury of paying for a YMCA to be located in the Town of Shelburne.

I feel better, don't you?

Unearthing the truth

This blog has come about as a result of a foreign investment company, under the name of Highland Companies, who have busily purchased more than 7,000 acres of prime agricultural land in Melancthon Township over the past two-three years. Their original published intent was to merely have a world class potato operation, however their real motive was revealed in July this year (2009), when they finally declared their intention to apply (initially) for a 2,400 acre mining application which will permit limestone extraction up to 200 feet below the water table.

Despite continued pleas by ratepayers over the past year, not one of our elected officials, either at the local level in Melancthon or Mulmur or at the County level in Dufferin, have stood up and championed the residents in their fight against this threat. The community, the water source for more than 1 million Ontarians who's water source is on the headwaters of the Grand and Nottawasaga Rivers, the environment and the specialty soil are all at risk. The grassroots organization North Dufferin Agricultural and Community Taskforce (NDACT) have been working diligently on behalf of ratepayers, doing what elected officials were elected to do. http://www.ndact.com/

In fact, when the going gets tough, local Council members declare their pecuniary interests (conflict of interest) and form an orderly line to have their picture taken to appear in the local paper on the front page with John Lowndes of the Highland Companies while accepting cheques from him for whatever good deeds Mr. Lowndes decrees have taken his favour that particular week. I am unclear how Councillors have time to do this, while collecting their paycheques from taxpayers. That takes quite a bit of time management, for sure.

To date, the largess of Mr. Lowndes includes a clock for Honeywood arena, empty houses for medical personal who have not beaten a path to the door of Melancthon, a $5,000.00 cheque for the Hornings Mills Hall, a pet project of our Mayor Debbie Fawcett and finally "studies" to determine the need for a YMCA, not in Melancthon, but in Shelburne.

The local press is somewhat reluctant to report the truth. The truth is this company has cut down thousands and thousands of trees without proper permits and in contravention of the County tree cutting bylaw (and to date County politicians refuse to fine this company); they have demolished several homes and structures on properties they own and have plans for demolition of up to another 15-20 structures.

Finally, in case you are wondering, and this is a concept our elected officials do not seem to grasp, this corporation does not even have the right to vote in a municipal election. Numbered companies are not eligible to vote and neither is John Lowndes or his lackey Michael Daniher (a highly paid lawyer who spins whatever messaging Lowndes wants to issue) as neither lives anywhere in or near Dufferin County.

There is much more to tell of this sad tale, stay tuned....for information on the rail purchase, the local papers efforts at censuring balanced reports, undeclared conflicts of interests by local politicians and finally local political efforts to thwart all suggestions and assistance offered by ratepayers, subject matter experts and NDACT as to ways and means to prepare to battle the application for a 2,400 acre, 200 foot deep open pit mine, when it is filed by Highlands.