I saw an article in the Barrie Examiner reporting on council's desire to impose a buffer zone around the City and have the surrounding municipalities enforce a no hunting zone.
I live in Grenfel and we are bombarded with the noise from shotguns 365 days a year because of the Barrie Gun Club on Pinegrove Road. Guess what. There are probably not 10 members from our Springwater Township. There are many members that live in Barrie and as far away as Toronto. It was Barrie that had them close down the Miller Drive location of the Barrie Revolver club and move it out of the City some decades ago. How is it fair that Barrie can dump its unwanted nuisance problems on their municipal neighbors?
If Barrie wants a buffer, it should follow the example of former Springwater mayor Helen Coutts and establish a non-development buffer zone. Ms. Coutts established a no non-farm development buffer around the City of Barrie and the Town of Wasaga Beach, the only two major urban settlement areas that border on the township. It is found in section 3.29 in the township's official plan. This was implemented to avoid the problems that the City of Barrie are now concerned about. It is my further understanding that this was discussed with the then Barrie mayor Laking as it was understood that both would establish buffers to avoid land use conflicts. Barrie's oversight is now catching up with them.
As the Barrie Gun Club community liaison told me when I suggested that they mitigate the negative noise impact, "Sue the real estate firm for not letting me know of the gun range being less than a kilometre away". I guess those Barrie residents that are now concerned about the noise from hunters in the new subdivisions should sue the developer or realty firm for not informing them of the potential conflict of Hunters in the local forests.
Does Barrie think it can bully its way through everything they want?
I for one would not support our township spending one dime on signage or enforcement that is a result of Barrie's ongoing lack of planning and foresight.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Try something different-TELL THE TRUTH-UPDATED
I snickered last week when I was watching A-Channel News. The bottom news ticker mentioned the County of Simcoe may hire a Toronto PR firm to undo some of the bad publicity and fallout from Site 41. While I was at the Springwater Township Council meeting on September 21, two of the Site 41 committee mentioned this is old news. The decision to spend another $250,000 with a PR firm was apparently passed in closed session on August 25th.
I have a better idea and it would save the County and me a lot of money. Just do what Maple Leaf Foods did with the listeria contamination. The Chairman went on the media and said they did not follow procedure and apologized for the terrible consequences of that action and promised to fix it. Most people believed him. It is a new concept in today's world. It used to be common practice. It is called telling the TRUTH!!!
Instead of wasting money on attempting to put a spin on a bad situation, Warden Guergis could do the following. First he could apologize for the actions of the CAO, Manager of Environmental Services and himself for undertaking an injunction, laying charges against some senior citizens and threatening a lawsuit on two of the protesters if in fact this was done without direction from County Council as most people suspect. He could then apologize for procrastinating on the release of the modflow reports and admit that yes there is a downward gradient at certain times of the year at the site that has been denied for three years. He could admit that senior staff had been negligent by not informing council of other means of disposal using shared resources such as incineration technology in neighboring counties that would negate the need for site 41. He could also admit, based on the success of the organics and recycling programs, that the life span of the existing County landfill sites had been extended many years negating the need for site 41. Of course that would require courage, credibility and honesty.
It is not the County that is being held in contempt Mr. Guergis, it is you and some of your out of control senior bureaucrats. You have embarrassed the County, some of the Councillors and dedicated staff who are all trying to do their job to the best of their ability.
It is time to stand up and take responsibility for an ill conceived project that started 20 years ago and one you could stop. If you did that you could be a man that people would respect.
There, I saved the County $250,000 and gave the Warden a plan that would be effective.
Keep informed by reading Springwater News http://www.springwaternews.ca/
I have a better idea and it would save the County and me a lot of money. Just do what Maple Leaf Foods did with the listeria contamination. The Chairman went on the media and said they did not follow procedure and apologized for the terrible consequences of that action and promised to fix it. Most people believed him. It is a new concept in today's world. It used to be common practice. It is called telling the TRUTH!!!
Instead of wasting money on attempting to put a spin on a bad situation, Warden Guergis could do the following. First he could apologize for the actions of the CAO, Manager of Environmental Services and himself for undertaking an injunction, laying charges against some senior citizens and threatening a lawsuit on two of the protesters if in fact this was done without direction from County Council as most people suspect. He could then apologize for procrastinating on the release of the modflow reports and admit that yes there is a downward gradient at certain times of the year at the site that has been denied for three years. He could admit that senior staff had been negligent by not informing council of other means of disposal using shared resources such as incineration technology in neighboring counties that would negate the need for site 41. He could also admit, based on the success of the organics and recycling programs, that the life span of the existing County landfill sites had been extended many years negating the need for site 41. Of course that would require courage, credibility and honesty.
It is not the County that is being held in contempt Mr. Guergis, it is you and some of your out of control senior bureaucrats. You have embarrassed the County, some of the Councillors and dedicated staff who are all trying to do their job to the best of their ability.
It is time to stand up and take responsibility for an ill conceived project that started 20 years ago and one you could stop. If you did that you could be a man that people would respect.
There, I saved the County $250,000 and gave the Warden a plan that would be effective.
Keep informed by reading Springwater News http://www.springwaternews.ca/
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Council and Citizens Working Together
The Springwater Council meeting on Sept 8th was one of those that makes you proud of how the local government can work effectively at times, especially for one group. I wrote about Splash Canyon Water Park some time ago (http://springwatercitizens.blogspot.com/2009/07/splash-canyons-lack-of-planning-causes.html) and the concern raised by the local neighbors about noise. Splash Canyon applied for a temporary use by-law amendment back in July for an August event. Many local residents attended the public meeting and expressed their views and concerns. Councillors and staff were surprised at the complaints as there was nothing on file. Instead of granting a one year term the by-law allowed for the one concert. The residents were unhappy about this as they had thought after leaving the public meeting on July 13 that the Council would deny the application at the July 20th Planning and Special Council meeting. At the two meetings the management of SC said that if they were allowed the one time concert all other concerts would be cancelled for the rest of the summer.
Guess what? About three weeks ago, someone from Mills Circle, which is close to the park, found an advertising brochure promoting a three day concert on Sept 18th at Splash Canyon. On checking with councillors and staff at the township, no one was aware of this concert. To the township's credit, staff informed Splash Canyon that they must apply for a Special Events Permit, which they did. The Clerk reported to council that concerts are not a permitted use in the zoning of the property and the special events permit should not be allowed as a condition of a permit is that the event must be a permitted use in the zoning by-law.
The residents gathered at the Midhurst Community Centre to discuss the matter the week before the council meeting and requested a delegation to forward their frustration and express concern about the lack of clarity on the matter.
Terry Cheaney a local resident and Angela Baldwin a land use planner addressed council and reiterated with specific detail the position that the clerk had taken. Their conclusion was that concerts are not permitted on the property under the Campground Commercial zoning designation. The only exception to camping use on the property is the Waterpark.
It shows that when residents take the time to be involved in matters that affect them, council will listen if you have your facts and can present them in a well informed manner.
At the Sept 8 meeting, the special event permit for the three day concert on Sept 18th was denied.
There are many things going on in the township and residents need to stay informed. Check the township website for both planning meetings and council meetings as they are the ones that can impact you for the long term In the Midhurst area, people need to stay close to what is happening. There are huge plots of land designated for future residential growth. If some developers have their way, you would find about 5,000 new homes surrounding the existing Midhurst area. Because of provincial policies, these developments for the most part must be on municipal services. Numbers like sixty million dollars for new municipal infrastructure are being tossed around and that is an estimate. If we don't pay attention we may face uncontrolled development that could impact us on our tax bills but more importantly ruin the rural and peaceful nature of Springwater. Stay informed. Anotherway of keeping abreast of council activities is to read our local newspaper Springwater News http://www.springwaternews.ca/.
Guess what? About three weeks ago, someone from Mills Circle, which is close to the park, found an advertising brochure promoting a three day concert on Sept 18th at Splash Canyon. On checking with councillors and staff at the township, no one was aware of this concert. To the township's credit, staff informed Splash Canyon that they must apply for a Special Events Permit, which they did. The Clerk reported to council that concerts are not a permitted use in the zoning of the property and the special events permit should not be allowed as a condition of a permit is that the event must be a permitted use in the zoning by-law.
The residents gathered at the Midhurst Community Centre to discuss the matter the week before the council meeting and requested a delegation to forward their frustration and express concern about the lack of clarity on the matter.
Terry Cheaney a local resident and Angela Baldwin a land use planner addressed council and reiterated with specific detail the position that the clerk had taken. Their conclusion was that concerts are not permitted on the property under the Campground Commercial zoning designation. The only exception to camping use on the property is the Waterpark.
It shows that when residents take the time to be involved in matters that affect them, council will listen if you have your facts and can present them in a well informed manner.
At the Sept 8 meeting, the special event permit for the three day concert on Sept 18th was denied.
There are many things going on in the township and residents need to stay informed. Check the township website for both planning meetings and council meetings as they are the ones that can impact you for the long term In the Midhurst area, people need to stay close to what is happening. There are huge plots of land designated for future residential growth. If some developers have their way, you would find about 5,000 new homes surrounding the existing Midhurst area. Because of provincial policies, these developments for the most part must be on municipal services. Numbers like sixty million dollars for new municipal infrastructure are being tossed around and that is an estimate. If we don't pay attention we may face uncontrolled development that could impact us on our tax bills but more importantly ruin the rural and peaceful nature of Springwater. Stay informed. Anotherway of keeping abreast of council activities is to read our local newspaper Springwater News http://www.springwaternews.ca/.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Site 41 Dead for a year and maybe forever
Tuesday August 25 was a long day for those fighting the insanity of Dump Site 41. It started with the County trying to confuse, mislead and delay the answers requested by the many well informed opponents of site 41. The Information Session at 9:00 a.m. was to be another charade but a forceful crowd inside the meeting hall at the Simcoe County Museum would have none of it. The chair they hired to run the meeting lost control in about 15 minutes and it reverted to a question and answer sessions as it should have been anyway. A number of county councillors were present and I think they were overwhelmed by the attendance of 500 people, and how well the individuals were informed allowing them to sober up on the Site 41 issue.
The Council meeting started at 11:00 a.m. with a closed session. Closed sessions normally take 30 to 60 minutes, but this one took about 150 minutes. I am not sure if they were hoping the people would get tired and go away or was the Warden trying to twist the arms of those opposed to Site 41 to change their minds about a moratorium.
When we were finally allowed to enter the open session, we became aware of how badly Site 41 has been managed. Councillors appeared to be unaware of many opportunities to dispose of the garbage intended for Site 41 with neighboring Counties that have moved to leading edge incineration technology. The council did one thing that was prudent and appropriate. They passed a motion to cease litigation for damages against those threatened with a suit for construction delay damages. It was also interesting that council passed a motion to ratify the actions taken by the CAO regarding the injunction. It simply proves what many have said. The protest injunction was initiated by a very small group and not by the council. We know who they were.
Our Warden when it came to the moratorium issue, did everything in his power to cajole, intimidate, brow beat, condescend the other councillors. At first it appeared he was trying to avoid the moratorium vote or possibly have it voted down. Like our Springwater Township Councillors have finally realized, the County Councillors have discovered their leader lacks credibility and his vision/agenda cannot be trusted or followed. Much to every one's delight the one year moratorium was passed and the site shut down as of today. It appears that there may be a motion at the next County meeting to stop the project completely which would be the right thing to do.
Now you talk about a Jekyll and Hyde. I just watched A News and the Warden now says that Site 41 should be abandoned completely because of the sensitive environmental concerns. That means one of two things. Either he slipped and fell and bumped his head leaving the county building and has rejoined reality after a three year absence or he would like the Site 41 issue to disappear before the next election. If the one year Moratorium holds, Site 41 will definitely be an election issue. Please be reminded what our Mayor said when he was running for the election. Here is the link: http://www.youtube.com/user/HealerG#play/all/uploads-all/1/J8oAXNzl0WY.
All those that have been arrested and stuck by their beliefs need to be congratulated. Without their pain and suffering, yesterday would have been quite different.
We need to stay on this issue until the site is permanently closed. Being a skeptic and spending too much time observing the political process, it would not be beyond the realm of possibility that the County in a secretive way will attempt to have the Provincial Government order the completion of the Dump and then say they had no control.
Keep informed by reading Springwater News http://www.springwaternews.ca/
The Council meeting started at 11:00 a.m. with a closed session. Closed sessions normally take 30 to 60 minutes, but this one took about 150 minutes. I am not sure if they were hoping the people would get tired and go away or was the Warden trying to twist the arms of those opposed to Site 41 to change their minds about a moratorium.
When we were finally allowed to enter the open session, we became aware of how badly Site 41 has been managed. Councillors appeared to be unaware of many opportunities to dispose of the garbage intended for Site 41 with neighboring Counties that have moved to leading edge incineration technology. The council did one thing that was prudent and appropriate. They passed a motion to cease litigation for damages against those threatened with a suit for construction delay damages. It was also interesting that council passed a motion to ratify the actions taken by the CAO regarding the injunction. It simply proves what many have said. The protest injunction was initiated by a very small group and not by the council. We know who they were.
Our Warden when it came to the moratorium issue, did everything in his power to cajole, intimidate, brow beat, condescend the other councillors. At first it appeared he was trying to avoid the moratorium vote or possibly have it voted down. Like our Springwater Township Councillors have finally realized, the County Councillors have discovered their leader lacks credibility and his vision/agenda cannot be trusted or followed. Much to every one's delight the one year moratorium was passed and the site shut down as of today. It appears that there may be a motion at the next County meeting to stop the project completely which would be the right thing to do.
Now you talk about a Jekyll and Hyde. I just watched A News and the Warden now says that Site 41 should be abandoned completely because of the sensitive environmental concerns. That means one of two things. Either he slipped and fell and bumped his head leaving the county building and has rejoined reality after a three year absence or he would like the Site 41 issue to disappear before the next election. If the one year Moratorium holds, Site 41 will definitely be an election issue. Please be reminded what our Mayor said when he was running for the election. Here is the link: http://www.youtube.com/user/HealerG#play/all/uploads-all/1/J8oAXNzl0WY.
All those that have been arrested and stuck by their beliefs need to be congratulated. Without their pain and suffering, yesterday would have been quite different.
We need to stay on this issue until the site is permanently closed. Being a skeptic and spending too much time observing the political process, it would not be beyond the realm of possibility that the County in a secretive way will attempt to have the Provincial Government order the completion of the Dump and then say they had no control.
Keep informed by reading Springwater News http://www.springwaternews.ca/
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Barrie Gun Club pleads guilty
Based on an area resident's complaint, the township laid a charge against the Barrie Gun Club on Pinegrove Road for a "cut and fill" bylaw violation in the Spring of 2008. After a number of delays and adjournments, the case was heard in the Provincial Court in Wasaga Beach on August 18, 2009. The club and Township reached a plea agreement whereby the Barrie Gun Club pleaded guilty to the offence and was fined $2000.
The area residents were hoping for a more meaningful fine as a deterrent, but the prosecutor for the township commented that the courts for some reason do not impose hefty fines.
The Barrie Gun Club has been the subject of growing safety and noise concerns with the area residents over the last 10 years as they have continued to expand in size and use over that time. Nothing in the township bylaws prevents their continued expansion.
Once a club for serious sportsman, it has become a haven for gun enthusiasts and sports shooters adding to the noise impact on the local 30 residential properties. Few members of the club actually live in the area.
The Township has been unwilling to take a serious position on the negative impact with the residents and have offered lip service through numerous meetings but failed to reach any conclusive results or action.
The area residents were hoping for a more meaningful fine as a deterrent, but the prosecutor for the township commented that the courts for some reason do not impose hefty fines.
The Barrie Gun Club has been the subject of growing safety and noise concerns with the area residents over the last 10 years as they have continued to expand in size and use over that time. Nothing in the township bylaws prevents their continued expansion.
Once a club for serious sportsman, it has become a haven for gun enthusiasts and sports shooters adding to the noise impact on the local 30 residential properties. Few members of the club actually live in the area.
The Township has been unwilling to take a serious position on the negative impact with the residents and have offered lip service through numerous meetings but failed to reach any conclusive results or action.
Monday, August 10, 2009
God Bless Donny Nelson
Last week Don Nelson phoned our house and invited us to a big family reunion get together. My wife comes from the Bakers in Coulson and Ivy and somewhere we are all connected. I know my father helped Don in the early days of farming when we were on the 5th of Flos.
Don and I spoke a couple of weeks ago about the concerns he had with our council and the mayor. He even said that if no one stands, he will run as mayor in 2010 and I would have supported him. It would be nice to have the intelligence, honesty and common sense of a farmer running our mainly rural township.
To our shock, this morning (Monday Aug 10) my mother in law Nina Baker who resides with us got a call from her brother in law Johnny Baker saying that he had been at the reunion and Donny died of a massive heart attack at the event. In the spirit and wishes of Don the reunion continued even though in more sober atmosphere.
Don is one of those true spirits of determination and perseverance. Even though plagued with health issues his entire life, he made the best of it and was thankful for all he had. The last time I saw him was on A-Channel in his wheel chair breathing through his oxygen tube. Nothing kept the man down. He stated on the news clip that he was willing to go to jail and do whatever was necessary to stop the insanity of Site 41.
In closing our prayers go to his family and friends. I am greatly saddened because of another family commitment I did not have the opportunity of seeing Don for one last time on the weekend.
God Bless you Donny
Don and I spoke a couple of weeks ago about the concerns he had with our council and the mayor. He even said that if no one stands, he will run as mayor in 2010 and I would have supported him. It would be nice to have the intelligence, honesty and common sense of a farmer running our mainly rural township.
To our shock, this morning (Monday Aug 10) my mother in law Nina Baker who resides with us got a call from her brother in law Johnny Baker saying that he had been at the reunion and Donny died of a massive heart attack at the event. In the spirit and wishes of Don the reunion continued even though in more sober atmosphere.
Don is one of those true spirits of determination and perseverance. Even though plagued with health issues his entire life, he made the best of it and was thankful for all he had. The last time I saw him was on A-Channel in his wheel chair breathing through his oxygen tube. Nothing kept the man down. He stated on the news clip that he was willing to go to jail and do whatever was necessary to stop the insanity of Site 41.
In closing our prayers go to his family and friends. I am greatly saddened because of another family commitment I did not have the opportunity of seeing Don for one last time on the weekend.
God Bless you Donny
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Why are Springwater Councillors Not Making a Stand
From my discussions with various members of Springwater council, most are opposed to Dump Site 41. I know the deputy mayor was at the rally in Perkinsfied recently and that another councillor has visited the blockade on a number of occasions.
It would be appreciated by the residents of Springwater for a couple of councillors to table a motion, requesting that the development of the site be put on hold for a year and that a third party review be undertaken to assess its impact on future generations. The councillors of Tiny had the courage to pass such a motion recently. I hope that Mayor Guergis continued blind trust in the advice of the bureaucrats and his unwavering support of the site is not intimidating those on council who oppose the site.
I would ask Hope, Cowan, Anderson, Clement, Collins and Caldwell to stand up for our children, grandchildren and future generations possibly avoiding the legacy of creating one of the greatest environmental catastrophe in the modern world.
What harm is there in double checking a site that was thought to inappropriate some 20 years ago when first considered.
We elect the politicians not the staff or the rest of the bureaucrats. We ask you the politicians to protect the well being of the electorate, the citizens of Springwater Township.
It would be appreciated by the residents of Springwater for a couple of councillors to table a motion, requesting that the development of the site be put on hold for a year and that a third party review be undertaken to assess its impact on future generations. The councillors of Tiny had the courage to pass such a motion recently. I hope that Mayor Guergis continued blind trust in the advice of the bureaucrats and his unwavering support of the site is not intimidating those on council who oppose the site.
I would ask Hope, Cowan, Anderson, Clement, Collins and Caldwell to stand up for our children, grandchildren and future generations possibly avoiding the legacy of creating one of the greatest environmental catastrophe in the modern world.
What harm is there in double checking a site that was thought to inappropriate some 20 years ago when first considered.
We elect the politicians not the staff or the rest of the bureaucrats. We ask you the politicians to protect the well being of the electorate, the citizens of Springwater Township.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
