FUN GAME

Here is a fun game.

The fliers and websites have been coming out fast and furious.

Can you match the statement with the Melancthon candidate who uttered it?

Your choices are:

Bill Hill- Mayor
Rob Uffen - Mayor
Darren White - Deputy Mayor
Nanci Malek - Councillor
Dennis Sanford -Councillor
Alex Banks - Councillor
Bart Malloy-Deputy Mayor

These excerpts are word for word with spelling intact from their literature/websites:

"I am not a one issue candidate. As a Councillor, I will be your ears, eyes and conscience with decisions being made about the present and the future of our community."

"I believe that the next council for the Township of Melancthon must work closely together with the residents to prepare for and properly deal with the challenges we are facing in the coming months and years."

"Will not be scared to voice my opinion and the residents opinion of Melancthon in all issues that concern us all. Will thank you in person for your support as I see you in our daily activitys

" I will be a strong, effective, and principled voice for the people of Melancthon, and a competent manager of the Township's affairs"

"Council is elected by the people for the people. We all don't always agree with an approach taken or for that matter the outcome.

"I am deeply concerned about the environmental, social, cultural and economic problems we are facing and the critical need for a proactive Mayor and Council that truly represents us at a time when provincial policy is, increasingly, assuming authority and being influenced by corporate industries, including ones currently operating in our township, and their agendas."

In 2010, Melancthon residents have the challenge of making change. One that they can control. The election a new council. One that will be focused on working for the citizens, keeping citizens aware of Municipal affairs and creating a vision for the future"

PLEASE NOTE:
Janice Elliott-Councillor
Wayne Hannon-Councillor
John Crowe-Councillor
are not included here as I have not yet, seen web postings or Mailings from these candidates.

NOT A DONE DEAL

Another example of IT IS NOT A DONE DEAL..EVER...

Excerpts:

The Government of Canada will not be moving forward with any authorizations as the proposed project is likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects that cannot be justified under the circumstances," said the Honourable Loyola Hearn, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans.

Click here for the entire article:
http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/media/npress-communique/2007/hq-ac61-eng.htm

MIRROR MIRROR ON THE WALL

Wow, this article coulda/shoulda been written about Melancthon.

Here are some selected excerpts:

"First a few large landowners, usually farmers who have been in the area forever, are approached about signing up. At the same time, town supervisors and members of the town planning board, who are often landowners themselves, are targeted. Those who are approached are asked to sign a confidentiality agreement that prevents them from telling their neighbors what is going on. The result is that when the news does get out, an aura of inevitability has already been established; the feeling is “this is so big and so far advanced that there’s nothing we can do.”

That’s just what the wind-energy forces planned. They look for relatively poor areas that display the desired population demographic — farmers with large landholdings and newcomers with large incomes — and then they pit the two constituencies against each other.

There is a David and Goliath aspect to these battles between heavily funded corporate interests and citizen activists who come out and stand in the rain with home-made signs."

You can substitute the word quarry/DEEP/ rail bed for turbines throughout.

Click here for a link to the entire article:

http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/09/20/windfall-in-new-york/?partner=rss&emc=rss

A friend of mine (and yes, I DO have friends) keeps reminding me: Keep your eye on the prize.

The Prize?

That would be the land which has sustained itself with agriculture for generations and the way of life that comes with it-close knit community which, believe it or not are accepting of all newcomers.

COULD BE WORSE-CHECK OUT THIS MEAFORD BLOG

http://www.francisformayor.blogspot.com/

CONDOLENCES

Condolences to Dorothy Matthews, whose loss is felt by the community.

Garry, our former Mayor, will be missed.

UPDATE ON MELANCTHON PUBLIC MEETING ON STRADA'S APPLICATION

Melancthon Township held a public meeting on September 23, 2010 on Strada's application for expansion.

Instead my perspective on this, check out this link under September 24 for highlights of the meeting:

http://sanfordformelancthon.blogspot.com/

VOTING IN MELANCTHON AND MULMUR

Thanks to candidate Heather Hayes, who is running for Mulmur Council for posting this excellent, step by step guide as to how to vote in Mulmur (AND Melancthon).

As Melancthon and Mulmur are voting by mail in 2010 I have posted some of the information on Heather's site:

Election Day - Monday October 25th 2010

How do I vote in the upcoming election?

Expect your ballots to come in the mail after October 2, 2010. If, by October 10th you have not received a ballot, please contact the Township of Mulmur Office at 705-466-3341 or the Township of Melancthon office at 519-925-5525 (depending on where you vote)

How do I know I am on the voters list? What if I am not on the voters list or I am new to the area?

Call the township office-see contact numbers.

Note: The Melancthon Township website has posted an excellent video outlining “voting by mail ” in the upcoming Municipal Election.

Click here to see it : http://www.datafix.com/tutorials/vbm/MIVTutorial.html

PECULIAR PECUNIARY INTEREST

Just to recap:

A pecuniary interest is also called a conflict of interest.

In a nutshell the legislation provides that if an elected politician stands to gain OR lose financially in any decision made by Council (direct-themselves; indirect-a spouse, child or parent) they MUST declare a pecuniary/conflict of interest and not take part in DISCUSSIONS or votes. If the discussion or vote takes part in a closed meeting, they must leave the room-that is the ONLY time they must leave the room.

The September 13 post has details on Melancthon Mayor Fawcett's conflict.

The September 14 post has details on Shelburne Deputy Mayor Bennington's conflict.

The September 23 post has details on Mulmur Deputy Mayor Snider's conflict.

Today's post has details on Shelburne Mayor Crewson's peculiar pecuniary conflict.

Crewson declares a conflict on Highlands issues as Highlands is a client of Ed's insurance company. Fair enough. The Act provides for that.

EXCEPT Ed doesn't declare a conflict when discussing "policy" issues as it relates to a Highlands issue.

Example, Ed sat at the "policy" discussion table, and took part in the discussion at the committee level when the issue of Highlands clear cutting thousands and thousands of trees, in contravention of the County's tree cutting bylaw and ratepayers ask the County to enforce the bylaw. The County refused to do that, but decided in their infinate wisdom to draft a new bylaw, the discussions of which Crewson took part in.

I would argue that a sitting politician making their wishes known at the policy level about an issue as it relates to your biggest customer who caused the issue in the first place which brought about the drafting of a new bylaw, MIGHT be construed as taking part in the discussion and MIGHT lead other elected officials to know how you MIGHT vote, if in fact you could, but of course you don't because you declare a pecuniary interest-when it comes time to vote.

Hm...very confusing. And to be clear, if I feel that any sitting politician has a conflict and hasn't declared it, I have six weeks to bring a court action after I know about the conflict and it is only up to a judge to make a decision. Fair enough, but as a ratepayer I do have the right to question and make my OPINION known.

(NOT: to date FXXK all has happened with the new bylaw-lots of meetings, and staff time but nothing has been birthed through the two year process so it is business as usual for the County).

EXAMPLE OF OUR COUNCIL (AND TAX DOLLARS) AT WORK

Just received this email from a ratepayer who asked the following questions and received the following answers at the September 23, 2010 meeting of Council:

QUESTION:
Has Council directed staff to prepare a comprehensive costing on planning fees compared to the hours spent by a consultant versus a full time planning employee?

Answer: No.

QUESTION:
When was the last time Council issued a request for proposal for Planning Fees.

Answer: We have never asked for a request. Jorden and Jones were the Planners when she first came on board (Mayor Fawcett). Council is very satisfied with Mr. Jorden and he is now in the office two days per month. At the moment, he is being under utilized and some days, has no appointments but he does work on Melancthon stuff when he is here.

Just to recap, the 2008 budget show that planning "consultant" fees, meaning this guy works for other people too, average about$66,916.17. This was when he NEVER had to set foot in the office. Now we get him twice a month, but according to Council he is under utilized.

Funny how when he ISN'T in the office, he can find something to do to bill ratepayers $66,916.17 a year.

Wonder now that he actually has to show up twice a month if we, the taxpayers, are paying for his travel time and gas?

And he has been working on the five year Official Plan Review for oh, about six years now.

For this kind of money the ratepayers of Melancthon would be better served by a full time planner/legislative coordinator who may actually even be able to write a bylaw, which most in house staff in municipalities can do, instead of farming them out to lawyers.

COMMENT ON THIS BLOG

Someone posted the following comment on this blog:

"I attended Mulmur's all candidates meeting. The quote of the evening was, "We have learned from the mistakes made by our neighbours (Melancthon)." That statement was made by an incumbent in response to residents' questions regarding heritage home demolitions and turbine issues. The sentiment was reiterated by other incumbents and candidates. Melancthon's present council is NOT leaving a good legacy. "

And I know this is going to seem like a backhanded compliment, but...

If councillors in Mulmur know that Melancthon Council has made mistake, god help all of us in Melancthon.

WHAT MAKES HEATHER RUN

For those who are eligible to vote in Mulmur, you might be interested in this article:

http://inthehills.ca/current/features/what-makes-heather-run/

LESS CONFLICTED ABOUT A CONFLICT

Another sitting politician who declared a conflict over the Highlands issue was the Deputy Mayor Sue Snider.

She probably had the most valid declaration, in that she worked for an organization who may have been in some legal issues with Highlands over the rail line.

She no longer has this conflict and will be at the table, voting on all things Highlands should she get re-elected.

Good to know.

OUR THOUGHTS ARE WITH THE TUPLING FAMILY

Condolences to the Tupling family at this difficult time.

There is a public meeting being held on September 23, 2010 at the Township of Melancthon offices at 7:30 p.m. regarding Strada's expansion and their application for an Official Plan Amendment and Zoning bylaw Amendment. (The regular Council meeting starts at 5:30 pm)

Your written objections to the OPA and ZBA must be received by Melancthon on or before September 23-you can turn them in at the meeting if you want. Here is link to the objections already filed.
http://melancthontownship.ca/10council/publicmeeting.sept23.pdf

Remember-this is for the OPA and ZBA so your objection needs to be on the change of land use. The time for objections about the aggregate expansion has already passed.

Please attend this meeting if possible.

THINKING OUTSIDE THE BOX

I just received a copy of an email that was forwarded by a ratepayer to all Melancthon candidates:

"Here are two articles on how municipalities are thinking about other ways to work around provincial policies relating to the Green Energy Act.

I would suggest with some creative thinking some of these ideas could be implemented with respect to aggregate as well.

The Aggregate Act and the Green Energy Act are NOT the be all and end all, although they can be if you take a defeatist attitude, or have a lack of staff/consultant expertise.
http://www.wellingtonadvertiser.com/index.cfm?page=detail&itmno=6849

http://www.kincardinenews.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2755453"

Someone is thinking outside the box.

Hope the next Melancthon Council starts doing some innovative thinking, or at least asking a paid professional/"CONSULTANT' for some innovative thinking, on some of these issues.

This should not be the responsibility of individual ratepayers to research this stuff, this is what Council and staff are paid to do.

FORMER MAYOR

Thoughts for former Mayor Matthews as he goes through a difficult battle.

DATES FOR ALL CANDIDATES DEBATES

All debates start at 7:00 p.m.

Amaranth: Monday September 20 -Amaranth municipal building

Mono: Wednesday September 22 - Monora Park

Mulmur: Thursday September 23 - Mulmur municipal building

East Luther/Grand Valley: Wednesday September 29 - Community Centre

Orangeville: Tuesday October 5 - Westside Secondary School

East Garafraxa: Wednesday October 6 - Marsville Community Hall

Shelburne: Thursday October 7 - Grace Tipping Hall

Melancthon: Tuesday October 12 - Hornings Mills Hall

AFFAIR

See, got your attention didn't I?

I didn't mean to imply anyone was HAVING an affair.

What I meant was a fair, specifically the Shelburne Fall Fall, is on this weekend.

Come on down!! Have some fun.

If you are a candidate, kiss some babies, hand out some ribbons (and your party platform of course) and just enjoy.

Motto-"If it is the Shelburne Fair, we will be there!!"

(thanks B.R.)

P.S. I think there might be puppies there.

HERE COME THE JUDGE

Just to be clear, while I am questioning some sitting politicians declared (or lack thereof) declared conflict of interest as part of my right to free speech, NO ONE, not a member of the public, not any member of Council or municipal staff can tell a politician that they have a conflict of interest and force them to resign or move away from the Council table.

It is up to the individual elected official to make their own determination, either on their own or under the guidance of a legal opinion they might have sought as to whether they have a conflict.

The ONLY person who can determine if a sitting politician has violated the Municipal Conflict of Interest legislation is a judge. A person who feels a contravention has occured can bring an application to the court for a ruling. The application must be made within 6 weeks of knowing about the alleged contravention and no later than six years after the alleged contravention has occured.

The judge hears the evidence and makes a ruling.

So my speculations in this blog are made in the court of public opinion, which doesn't really count for anything.

CONVENIENT CONFLICT (OF INTEREST)

Conflict of Interest is the same as a pecuniary interest which is really - will the elected official be impacted financially (either positively OR negatively) by making a decision as an elected official. Click the link and read for yourself:

http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/html/statutes/english/elaws_statutes_90m50_e.htm

As promised, I will be "outing" incumbent candidates who have declared a Conflict of Interest on everything Highlands. I will of course be adding my own opinion as to whether the conflict is a true conflict.

Here is the first candidate who runs from the room screaming, I mean declaring a Conflict of Interest every time the name Highlands is mentioned:

Ken Bennington-Deputy Mayor of Shelburne

Reason for declaring? It is recorded in the Dufferin County minutes that Deputy Mayor Bennington declares a conflict because his sister owns a property next to the rail line-which we all know Highlands is hot and horny to purchase.

EXCEPT, the Municipal Conflict of Interest legislation provides:

"For the purposes of this Act, the pecuniary interest, direct or indirect, of a parent or the spouse or any child of the member shall, if known to the member, be deemed to be also the pecuniary interest of the member."

I do NOT see where it mentions a sibling (sister or brother) would cause a politican to have a pecuniary interest, forcing a politican to declare.

So why isn't he voting? There can only be three reasons, in my opinion.

1. He doesn't understand the legislation
2. He got a crappy legal opinion
3. He just doesn't want to vote on a controversial issue

Why do we care if someone on Shelburne Council doesn't vote? Well, because the Deputy Mayor of Shelburne, by virture of the position, sits as a voting member on County Council-the entity who wants the quick cash from the sale of the rail line.

More tomorrow.

CONFLICTED ABOUT A CONFLICT

At the August 7, 2008 meeting of Council, Mayor Fawcett was questioned about any potential business dealings with Highland Companies and whether she had a conflict of interest. Click the link for the minutes: http://melancthontownship.ca/08council/minutes.august7.pdf

In a nutshell, she determined, and probably rightly so, that she was NOT a sitting member of Council while a business deal with a family member occured with Highlands.

Okie, dokie, so "technically" - remember that word, you are going to need it when you piece all this together, technically she was NOT in conflict because she was not on Council at the time.

Recap: Ron Dillman opposed Debbie Fawcett in the 2006 municipal election and Ron won. Tragically Ron died in January of 2007, leaving a race for Mayor all over again, which to be fair, Debbie won.

At the September 9, 2010 meeting of Council, Mayor Fawcett not only announced that she was not going to run again for Council, but the reason she was not running, was...she has a conflict of interest with respect to the Highland Companies and she wanted a Mayor sitting at the table who did not have to declare whenever the Highlands issue reared its ugly snout (okay, okay, so I paraphrased the "ugly snout" comment).

Why is the Mayor NOW saying she has a conflict? She explained that because Highlands has purchased the property (or several properties) directly across the road from her she now has a conflict. I am still not convinced that this means she has a conflict of interest as defined in the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act, but the Act is very specific that it is up to each municipal councillor to make their own determination and their own declaration. If I feel she is in contravention of the Act, I personally would have to bring a court action, within six weeks of learning of what I feel is a conflict and have a judge make that determination.

So why am I conflicted about this "conflict". Well because there is a technical conflict and then there is the perceived conflict. I personally feel the sale of land by a family member of the Mayor to Highlands in 2007 is MORE of a perceived conflict than living across the road.

Hell, if anyone in proximity to Highlands had to declare a conflict, that would make almost every single ratepayer in Melancthon between Shelburne, Hwy 24, Hwy 10 and Badjeros in a conflict.

Check tomorrow for a list of who NOW declares a conflict as it relates to Highlands and who SHOULD, in my esteemed opinion be declaring a conflict and don't.

VOTER QUALIFICATIONS

You can vote in your municipal election IF on October 25, 2010 you:

reside in the local municipality or are the owner or tenant of land there, or are the spouse of an owner or tenant;
if you are a Canadian citizen and you are at least 18 years old

Corporations can NOT vote. (e.g. Highlands or Strada).

You can only vote once in each municipality, but you CAN vote in more than one municipality if you meet the above noted criteria for each municipality.

For instance, you might live in Toronto, and also own a place here-you can vote in both places. (not applicable to time shares)

You should check to ensure you are on the voters list by calling your municipal Clerk-website links are on this site. If you aren't on the list, you will need to complete an application to amend the list-check with the Clerk as to how you do this.

And DON'T call the County of Dufferin. Upper tiers to do not have elections, only the lower tiers.

And REMEMBER-the only wasted vote is a vote not cast, so in the words of Richard J. Daley, "vote early and vote often"!!

CANDIDATE LINKS ARE NOT ENDORSEMENTS

You will notice a new feature in the sidebar at the left.

I am providing links to candidates in Mulmur and Melancthon who are running.

These are not endorsements (mostly because I do not want to ruin anyones chances by endorsing them) rather they are there because they are the ones I could find on the internet.

If you are an elector, please inform yourself on the issues and get out and vote on October 25, 2010.

Those candidates who do not have a website but are running for Council, please get with technology and put a website up. It is a new century.

Just a thought....but running for Council in 2010 without a website would be like running for Council in 1890 without a horse & buggy.

FACT OR FICTION????

"FACT"
Mayor Fawcett announced at the September 9, 2010 meeting of Council that she would not be running in the 2010 election.

RUMOUR:
After a particularly "vocal" and "closed" meeting of Council, Mayor Fawcett submitted her resignation the day after the September 9, 2010 Council meeting, effective immediately.

FICTION:
Mayor Fawcett has NOT resigned, effectively immediately and will be our Mayor until after the October 25, 2010 election. And more importantly, will remain the Mayor until a new Council is sworn in.

Stay tuned for tomorrow's post, however, about questionable conflict....

TESTING THE WATER....GENTLY

Here is the FINAL list of candidates that are running for Melancthon Council in the 2010 municipal election- TO BE HELD ON OCTOBER 25, 2010.

For the first time, Melancthon is holding aVOTE BY MAIL system...if you do NOT receive a ballot in the mail on on or before, say....September 25, GO directly to the Township of Melancthon.

And please, do NOT be afraid. The vote by mail method is as tested and true as the vote by status quo and/or questionable means method.

It might EVEN, dare I say, increase voter participation.

Here goes

One to be elected:
Bill Hill – Mayor (Incumbent Deputy Mayor)
Rob Uffen – Mayor

One to be elected:
Darren White – Deputy Mayor (Incumbent Councillor)
Barton Malloy – Deputy Mayor

Three to be elected:

Wayne Hannon – Councillor
Dennis Sanford – Councillor
Nancy Malek – Councillor
Alexander Banks – Councillor
Janice Elliott – Councillor (Incumbent)
John Crowe – Councillor (Incumbent)

I AM BACK....

I seriously can NOT take it anymore.

Does anyone have any idea what is happening in Melancthon right now?

Check this blog tomorrow.

OFFLINE

UPDATE MELANCTHON

The following nomination papers have been filed:

Bill Hill – Mayor
Rob Uffen – Mayor
Darren A. White – Deputy Mayor
Barton G. Malloy – Deputy Mayor
Wayne Hannon – Councillor
Dennis Sanford – Councillor
Nancy E. Malek – Councillor

Off line.

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.

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

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.

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

MELANCTHON CANDIDATE UPDATE

Dennis Sanford has filed his papers for a Council position. Go Dennis!!

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.....

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.

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?

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:

Or this king of the castle:

I know, I know, pretty immature, but......they started it.

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.

GOSSIP

Gossip and rumours are a funny thing.

Kind of like the old game of telephone, where someone tells someone something and each time it gets repeated, the story gets a little muddled.

BUT when the story being retold by numerous people is exactly the same and doesn't seem to get embellished, perhaps it isn't completely true, but I would bet there is a kernel of truth in it.

SO, can anyone confirm that King John has been deposed? Cause that is what the rumour mill is churning out. Even a local politican had heard that.

Mixed feelings if it is true. Better the devil you know than the one you don't, particularly when the devil lacks the polish, patience, intelligence and finesse to fool even us country hicks.

On the other hand, IF it is true, couldn't happen to a nicer guy,

except if it happened to this little guy:

AURORA DEVELOPER CHARGED IN CUTTING 118 TREES

MEET DEVELOPER DAN(IHER)

Wow. Aurora Council means business.

118 trees cut, in violation of the municipal tree cutting bylaw and the Town gets tough with a developer. Here is the article: http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/article/833928--developer-charged-in-razing-of-118-moraine-trees?bn=1

Highlands must be laughing. They have cut thousands and thousands and acres and acres of trees, with nothing. Not even a slap on the wrist.

Come on Councillors. It isn't rocket science. If you can't pass a tree bylaw to stop the destruction and devastation of trees, the loss of which causes wind erosion, loss of wildlife corridors and, in the words of the Town of Aurora:

"...it will adversely affect ground aquifers and adjoining woodlots and wetlands. Many homes in Aurora use well water drawn from the deep aquifers below"

then you certainly are not qualified to sit on Council to look after the best interests of the ratepayers in connection with a 2,400 acre, 200 foot open pit limestone mine.

But then we knew that. They won't pass a demolition control bylaw the stop the destruction of our social fabric and tax base either. Just exactly what or WHO are they afraid of?

Last time someone asked about the demolition control bylaw, Deputy Mayor Hill, Mayoralty Candidate advised their contract planner informed them it would cost $10,000.00 for this contractor to draft a demolition control bylaw. Nice work if you can get.

KINDER COOPERATIVE COUNCIL?

Every single member of the public in attendance at Melancthon's Council meeting today commented that Council seemed finally to be hearing the concerns of ratepayers and seemed much more inclined to listen and I have to agree.

Now if we could just move on with the demolition control bylaw, the lower tier tree cutting bylaw and put the specialty crop designation in the OP we will all be happy campers.



Well, everyone except this little guy:

In fact he seemed downright dour, angry, upset, scribbling away furiously. Do you think he gets paid by the word that he jots down?

Also if anyone can confirm the rumour that King John has been deposed, that would be great.

I GOT NOTHING-TOO HOT TO THINK

Check back.....in a few days...toooo hot to think, less thinking and more drinking people!!!

In the meantime, be sure to check out the Township of Melancthon agenda and meeting at 9:00 am sharp tomorrow and then County Council tomorrow night at 7:00 p.m.

But just for fun....can anyone identify this person????

OR this person?

Or this analogy?

ANOTHER UPDATE ON OUR FRIENDS TO THE NORTH

The Walker Quarry application is before the OMB right now.

This is the aggregate operation in Duntroon that wants to expand to another 300 acres right across the road. Oh yeah, and plant a few trees and throw a few fish in the first 300 acres they mined.

Here is a link to an article with an update on how things are going:

http://www.theenterprisebulletin.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2650634

WATER WOES

So the Town of Shelburne is having a little bit of trouble locating a well near the town, due to arsenic discovered in the local town well water supply. (Source: Shelburne Free Press, front page, July 1, 2010)

Now, now, don’t panic. The Government of Canada says arsenic is a naturally occurring substance in food and water and is acceptable at certain levels.

http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hl-vs/iyh-vsv/environ/arsenic-eng.php

Problem with Shelburne’s wells are:

they are below the acceptable levels as set by the feds, but above the provincial guidelines.

And I have to wonder.

While arsenic in water naturally occurs in certain areas, why hasn’t the naturally occurring arsenic been detected in Shelburne’s wells before?

What has not been mentioned is about 30 years ago a manufacturing plant, which was going to be the economic salvation of Shelburne arrived. If I recall correctly, political leaders at the time were tripping over themselves to accommodate this company. (Deja vu, anyone?)

What were they manufacturing? “Green wood”. What makes wood green? Arsenic of course. In fact, over the years, people living on Victoria Street couldn’t hang white laundry out on windy days because it turned green. These statements are FACT.

In FACT-municipalities and schools have been tearing out the “green wood” playgrounds at an unprecedented rate to replace them with plastic playgrounds, due to arsenic leaching into the ground.

Now I know, I know, the Shelburne plant doesn’t use arsenic in treating their wood anymore. But there is no way, in my OPINION, that the facility could have operated, as long as it did, using arsenic with no impact. Do I know that for a FACT-no, but some politician or municipality should be asking those questions.

Also, this COULD be a little lesson in aquifers and how water really works. Any potential contaminant into the water source can potentially impact water users from that aquifer. And I am not sure where business and industry and $10/hr jobs became more important that every Canadian’s right to clean water.

UPDATE ON HIGHLANDS (UN)NEIGHBOURHOODLY MEETING

First things first.

This was orchestrated to divide and conquor.

Only a select few "neighbours" were invited.

They were NOT selected from any Official Plan Amendment (OPA) or Zoning bylaw amendment circulation area.

This was NOT the public meeting that Highlands has to hold, as legislated by the Planning Act, after they file for the OPA.

Now the nuts and bolts.

Each car was met in the driveway by Mickey, I mean Michael, clipboard and notebook in hand, with a tall anemic looking lackey and another beefy lackey on the deck.

Imagine-Mikey has graduated FROM a lackey to having two of his own, but I digress.

If this "show of force" was meant to G-20 people (you know frighten them), I am afraid it did the opposite. Honestly, what the hell were they guarding in the house? A science experiment-nope. Just King John.

Yes, he was there. In the flesh. THREE nights in a row. To meet some of his personally selected subjects.

Only 6-8 subjects were actually permitted in the room with him per meeting and those subjects were outnumbered by about 2:1 by King John's loyal guard. So lets see, about 6 people per night x 3 nights equals about 18 neighbours who were invited to the little partay to hear a message from on high, I mean a message from King John. (blow trumpet here, preferrably out King John's ass, but again I digress)

This guy is more reclusive than Howard Hughes. But I think just as weird. I didn't get a good look at Howard, I mean King John's toenails. Were they all stored in glass jars lined up behind him?

In any event the comments from the attendees (pay attention here Mikey and be sure to record it on your little clipboard):

"Waste of time"

"I am still pretty angry 2 days after the meeting"

"I didn't even bother going, I knew it would a waste of time"

"I felt like the cool kid being kicked out of the nerd party"

"No answers provided"

"Application is about 4 months from being filed-hearings about 5 years from now"

"When we arrived we were met in the driveway..confronted...and told us we were not welcome and that we must leave"

There are many, many more comments, much of the same stuff. But talk about controlling the message. Same thing with their little "open house" last July. Whenever the public is invited to a session where everyone is broken up into little groups and they are not giving the same message in a large group setting, you know there is nothing public and nothing honest about what you are going to hear.

HIGHLANDS FRIENDLY NEIGHBOURHOODLY MEETING

Well, neighbourly, not so much.

Even little kids know that when you have a party, you either invite everyone in the class or no one.

You would think with the highly paid PR guru's employeed by Highlands they would know better than to hold a neighbourhood meeting and then turn away the neighbours.

Update tomorrow.

If anyone wants to email their experience, to be added to the comments tomorrow, anonymously of course, please send them to:

melancthonminebuster@gmail.com

YMCA

Check out this link to all the jurisdictions who are having funding problems with YMCA’s

Town to make a decision on cash strapped YMCA
http://www1.amherstdaily.com/index.cfm?sid=54458&sc=58

YMCA pool losing money
http://www.amherstdaily.com/Sports/Water-sports/2009-02-19/article-372780/Cumberland-YMCA-not-alone-in-pool-struggles/1

YMCA’s bad faith
http://metroland.typepad.com/blog/2010/03/ymca-bad-faith-.html

Budget woes could lead to centres closure
http://suisuncity.blogspot.com/2008/01/media-north-bay-ymca-faces-financial.html

YMCA funding
http://nilsribi.wordpress.com/2008/05/16/thoughts-on-city-funding-of-the-ymca-and-budgeting-in-general/

YMCA financial troubles
http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2010/apr/29/bonita-springs-ymca-financial-trouble/

Time for police to look at YMCA files
http://www.thefreelibrary.com/It's+time+for+the+police+to+look+at+YMCA+files%3B+Following+accusations...-a0220998792

YMCA facing money problems
http://www2.wsls.com/sls/news/local/new_river_valley/article/local_ymca_facing_money_problems/62855/
Building it is the cheap part-particularly when someone else is paying to build it.

CANADA DAY

Hey, happy Canada Day.

Get out and join the community.

You can volunteer to stem strawberries at the Honeywood arena, starting at 12 noon in preparation for the annual strawberry supper. (Tip: take your own paring knife.)








Then you can go to Shelburne and join the Canada Day festivities.



Then you can go back to Honeywood and enjoy the Honeywood United Church Strawberry supper, all proceeds to the Church.


Then you can go back to Shelburne and enjoy the fireworks.

Then go home and do the Canadian thing and have a cold one, eh!