Haldimand "Dunnville We Will Build Our Arena"

In April of 2008 I attended a public meeting held at the Dunnville Arena to here the consultants report. There were approximately 225 residents that attended this meeting. Councillor Boyko, Ricker and Bartlett were also in attendance. The night prior to this meeting in Dunnville, a public meeting was held in Cayuga to here the consultants report, this meeting was attended by approximatley 25 residents.

One of the most important issues that surround the decisions of building a new arena is the communities financial support. The community would have to raise probably a million dollars. Now I am just throwing out that figure as I can't quite remember what it is.

As I read this article a few things are a bit disturbing. The first of which is the lack of communciation between the council member for Dunnville and the residents. The council member feels that he has not been informed by the residents on this issue, and the residents feel that the council member does not support their concerns. It is obvious that there is history here.

So lets look back in time; The residents of Dunnville were actively working on the building of a major sports complex. It seems that the county at the time was in favour. There were a few blips along the way, but this is very common for a project this big. A plan was in place, a location was in place, and then along comes the amalgamation. So it seems that some are putting the blame on the Provincial government (council, staff?). Hogwash!

Then the unthinkable happens for the 10 years of hard work for many residents of Dunnville, news of a new arena for Caledonia! I don't really know the history behind why this happened, or whether the residents of Caledonia had a committee and had worked just as hard for a new arena for 10 years as the residents of Dunnville had.

But one thing I know is that amalgamation is not the reason why Dunnville was put aside!

Actually I need to make a correction on that statement. At the time of amalgamation a Municipality had to have a population of 50,000 people. Haldimand had a population of 41,000 people. So who in there right mind let this happen? Haldimand is a made up of many smaller communities, all with the same needs, a vast network of roads and bridges, and it was only a matter of time that a financial crisis would bite us on the ass!.

I would also like to add that when the amalgamation took place, all bylaws and decisions by council did not "disappear"! In fact it was of the utmost importance that the decisions of prior councils in each community were protected. So to blame this on amalgamation is as I said "hogwash"! If I am wrong I am sure I will be corrected!

Another disturbing thing I read in this article was that Councillor Boyko had tried on a few occasions to get the committee in Dunnville to meet with the committee in Caledonia in regards to "how to fundraise"! Councillor Boyko makes it look like Dunnville did not want anyones help. I can certainly tell you why they did not meet, and I am sure that Boyko new this one as well:

"The residents of Dunnville know how to Fundraise"!

So now we are well into January of 2009. And no closer to an answer from staff or council as to how this is going to go for Dunnville or Cayuga. Make no mistake, there will be only "one" new arena!

So I would ask, will Councillor Boyko succeed? Will he have the support of his colleagues for a new arena for Dunnville? Well one only needs to look at the last 5 years or so to find this answer.

Or will Councillor Sloat succeed for a new arena in Cayuga? Again one only needs to look at the last 5 years to see who has influenced who at the council table.


Arena group petition seeks support for Ramsey Drive location
Posted By KAREN BEST,
CHRONICLE STAFF WRITER
Posted 1 day ago

The common denominator is the need for a new arena in Dunnville but how that will be met is becoming a point of contention for the citizen group, the town's councillor and some municipal employees.

For Dave Dunham and Mike Ramsey of the Dunnville Arena and Sports Project group, the decision is already made. Dunnville needs a new arena and based on a former Town of Dunnville council motion, it will be built on Ramsey Drive property.

Coun. Lorne Boyko said he took a proactive approach when a facility audit determined over $1 million worth of repairs and replacements were needed in both the Memorial arena and the Cayuga arena.

To measure interest in a campaign for a new Dunnville arena, he invited representatives from every ice user group to a meeting. Later he handed the adhoc committee over to citizens.

His intention was to position Dunnville as the obvious choice for a new arena. Haldimand County community services general manager Hugh Hanly said the county faces making a decision about the two significant county assets.

Both were identified with significant capital needs and that's why a consultant was hired to study them and their future, he noted.

Next month he will present council with a report that will include analysis of consultant recommendations and the municipality's ability to pay.

"We are not looking at a complex," he stated. "In my opinion as general manager, that Maple Creek Leisureplex was dealt with when council went ahead with the Frank A. Marshall industrial park."

Unknown to him, the pursuit of an arena complex in that area was intensifying. This week, the Dunnville arena group launched a petition asking if residents support siting the new arena on Ramsey Drive.

A response form is located on Page A6 of this edition of The Chronicle and can be dropped off at the newspaper office, Frank Ramsey's Mens Wear and Buckners Source for Sports.
Arena group members will also take their petition door to door.

Ramsey pointed out that the crowd at a recent public meeting unanimously supported the Ramsey Drive location. Without a location how does the group sell the idea for financial support, he questioned.

While council members and some county employees feel fundraising can proceed prior to site identification, Al Billyard disagreed. He is waiting to find out where it will be built before he makes his donation.

In the mean time, he wanted to see more support from Boyko who he described as articulate.

"It's too bad he can't be articulate in a positive manner on this arena build," said Billyard.

Dunham said the group's hands are tied on fundraising. "I can't go to a major organization or write a form letter asking for a substantial donation when I can't tell them where this thing will go," he said.

"It's all about marketing and promotion," added Ramsey.

Both Dunham and Ramsey were upset about some recent comments made by Boyko at a council meeting. They pointed out that the Maple Creek Leisureplex concept, created more than 10 years ago, was scaled down to one-third of its original proposal. The focus was now a twin pad arena and a recreation centre.

Some individuals are willing to enter into financially feasible land negotiations for privately owned land in the Frank A. Marshall business park, Dunham said this week.

He said Boyko knew about these proposals but did not make it clear to his council colleagues that the group was no longer pursuing county-owned industrial lands for the arena site.

Later Hanly pointed out that land acquisitions were dealt with confidentially in closed sessions. He said he advised the group to keep any offers of land confidential.

Right now, any land selection is premature and he and chief administrative officer Don Boyle talked to the group about this, "At this point, we don't even know if we're going to build anything," said Hanly.

In an answer on fundraising, he said he did not think the leisureplex group was told to stop soliciting donations.

Before any decision is made on arena construction, Dunham and Ramsey wanted a demographic study completed to forecast population growth in the two towns. With a population of 11,000, Dunnville was the logical choice for the first new facility, they contend.

Community support exists, contrary to comments Boyko made, said Dunham.

At a council meeting and in an interview, Boyko said people are not coming up to him to express concern or support for the arena. Usually he receives lots of comments on issues that are considered 'hot topics', he added.

Dunham listed some donations to illustrate support and said more groups and individuals are waiting in the wings for a site to be named. Last year St. Paul Anglican Church donated $3,000, a woman made a donation in honour of her grandson and a family took up a collection to raise $120. A local band contributed $100 and $534.50 was collected in the Sobeys Every Penny Counts box and another $173 at Johnny Rottens.

Several tickets are still available for the Florida Panthers and Maple Leafs hockey game. They can be purchased at Ramsey's Mens Wear, Buckners Source for Sports and the arena snack bar and from minor hockey executive members.

People who advocated construction of a Dunnville sports complex and are now seeking a new arena have learned from the past, said Ramsey.

"We will use every means legally possible to get this done," he said.

This can include going to court, securing an injunction or appealing to the Ontario Municipal Board, he added.

He and Dunham said Haldimand County has walked away from approval of the Maple Creek Leisureplex in 1999. A former Town of Dunnville council motion supported the project's concept plan and required that a management and supervision plan be developed.

Now the county is pitting Cayuga against Dunnville and the result may be civil war, noted Ramsey.

Aware that the group based their Ramsey Drive preference on a past council motion, Boyko said he did not consider concept plan approval as approval for the project. It was subject to a management plan, he noted.

As a member of the advisory committee in place at that time, he said the plan got stuck on a couple of issues.

Dunnville Junior C Terriers owner Jim Russ is a member of the arena group and was involved in earlier recreation complex committees. He said it's time for a new arena and if the current building fails it will take three to five years to replace it.

At a recent county trail meeting, Russ said a consultant exhibited aerial photographs and traced trails in Dunnville, ending in the industrial park where the leisureplex was proposed. Eric Hunter also attended the meeting and saw the reference to the sport complex lands.

Hanly said this site was just where the Dunnville trails ended in the Pyle wood lot.

In an interview, Hunter also said Dunnville is oozing with talented hockey players who need more ice time to develop to their potential. The former coach pointed out that sports groups have pushed for years for a new arena for youth.

Last week, both Dunham and Ramsey accused Boyko of failing to represent residents on the arena issue and of not being involved.

The councillor took great exception to their comments. He said he told the two men that he was willing to meet with them and their group anytime. All they had to do was invite him but they have yet to do so, Boyko said. Without the group entering into communication with their councillor, he stated that he could not force himself on them.

As a result, Boyko had no knowledge of group activities other than what he has read in the newspaper. He also had no idea that the group was seeking a smaller portion of land.

Last year, he contacted Ralph Luimes who was a key participant in fundraising for the Caledonia twin pad arena. Boyko contacted Ramsey and Dunham to suggest meeting with Luimes in order to pick up some ideas. The councillor said he received no response to the proposed meeting.

In June, the county invited both the Dunnville and Cayuga arena groups to a meeting where Caledonia arena fundraisers made a thorough presentation filled with great ideas, said Boyko. Neither Dunham nor Ramsey attended, he added.

From his point of view, some arena supporters have adopted a hostile an adversarial approach. This should be a partnership between the county and the group, Boyko pointed out.

"At the end of the day, I'm going to have to sell this on their behalf (to council). If an adversarial approach remains in place, how can I hope to be successful," said Boyko. "I'm more than pleased to help them on this. If they're successful, I'm successful."

The future of the town's arena is based in the past. After the Town of Dunnville culture and recreation plan was completed in 1993, a sports advisory committee was struck. Two years later, members recommended purchase of 60 acres including 20 purchased acres and 20 acres leased from Grandview Lodge.

After negotiations with the former Region of Haldimand Norfolk and the province failed, the committee suggested the town purchase the Dixon property where there would be room for new fairgrounds. Another study was conducted on the complex's feasibility but the region favoured industrial development on the land in question.

The project went back and forth between several proposals and failures to move forward due to industrial plans, flood plain problems and other issues.

In 1997, the Maple Creek Leisureplex idea was revisited to accommodate community recreation on Dixon lands north of the proposed Ramsey Drive extensions and on the former town dump (closed in 1992) and the Pyle woods. A year later work began on the soccer park.

That year. the first public meeting was held on the leisureplex which was to have an arena, track, fairgrounds and art centre.

In 1999, the Town of Dunnville council gave formal approval to the leisureplex concept plan subject to site plan control. A management plan was required.

The ducks were in a row. Restructuring blew them out of the water.

In 1999, the Ontario government announced the mandated restructuring of the former region. Before Christmas, legislation set out how that would happen. In 2000, the transition board's provincial appointees were put in place to create two new counties. Basically, councils became lame ducks and very little happened in the local municipal field.

Capital investment decisions were set aside to be turned over to the new Haldimand County council, said Hanly.

So the leisureplex concept languished.

When the new county came into being in 2001, its first council decided a new Caledonia arena was its recreation priority and would be the project submitted into a shared provincial and federal grant program.

Dunham and others questioned this direction because replacement was not necessary in Caledonia. They wondered why Boyko and Coun. Don Ricker did not fight for the development of the Maple Creek Leisureplex concept.

Eventually, the group was told to wait for the Haldimand County recreation master plan which took a few years to complete.

In the plan, consultants stated that the municipality had enough arenas for its population and enough ball diamonds. As a result, the leisureplex was not required, noted Hanly.

But the group soldiered on. Three years ago, members protested zoning changes for the county-owned industrial park and the wiping out of recreation concepts on Ramsey Drive. Even so, recreational uses are permitted in industrial zones. Recently former Dunnville mayor Bob Blake raised the example of Waterloo where playing fields are located by industrial plants.

Article ID# 1379859
http://www.dunnvillechronicle.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1379859

Haldimand "Haldimand County News Release Welcomes EA"

A little late getting this one posted, but I just found this news release on the Haldimand County Website. I don't recall this being in any of our local newspapers.

NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
Dated: October 31, 2008

Haldimand County Council welcomes the announcement from Bruce Power of its intention to commence the initiation of an Environmental Assessment (EA) in support of its proposal to establish a nuclear generation station within the Lake Erie Industrial Park near Nanticoke. This proposal complements existing generation in this area and with other proposed generation facilities takes advantage of significant transmission capability.

Mayor Marie Trainer indicated that, in 2007, Haldimand County Council passed resolutions supporting the initiation of an environmental assessment. The public consultation process will apprise the public of all the issues associated with a nuclear power facility and to determine the willingness of the community to host such a facility.

“Council unanimously supports the initiation of the environmental assessment process and the extensive community and stakeholder engagement requirements that is associated with this step. Many opportunities will be provided over the nearly three years it will take to complete it so our citizens and businesses can provide their input” she said.

The Environmental Assessment process is a planning decision making process that will allow a complete and comprehensive assessment of the proposal through the requirement of rigorous supporting studies and the open and full engagement of all stakeholders.

Should this project proceed to construction, information provided by Bruce Power and independent research conducted by the County indicates that a nuclear generation facility would provide significant economic benefit to the County economy. The project has the potential to create a thousand long term stable jobs, significant construction employment and new assessment.

Haldimand County, through its Official Plan, has designated and protected a significant amount of land for large scale industrial and employment uses near Nanticoke. The County is interested to learn that this proposal envisions the nuclear generating facility as being part of a larger clean energy hub for the Province by partnering with other organizations to develop hydrogen, solar and wind generation. As a result the ‘Lake Erie Industrial Park’ has significant potential to help meet the electricity needs of the Province for the coming decades.

Haldimand County is excited about today’s announcement and is committed to ensuring that the community is kept informed and involved throughout this process and has established a special purpose committee to assist in this regard.

Further information please contact: Councillor Buck Sloat – Chair – Nanticoke Area Power Generation Committee (905) 961-3270 Don Boyle – CAO Haldimand County – (905) 318-5932

Haldimand "We Were Never Asked"

I have been asked by a few people to explain why I am attempting to stop "progress" here in Haldimand County. This is in regards to a petition that I am working on about the Environmental Assessment by Bruce Power for a possible Nuclear Power Plant in Haldimand (Nanticoke).

I want to make myself perfectly clear that my problem is with the process and the path that our Council members have taken on our behalf. And it is just that simple! I am not trying to stop "progress".

I have not decided 100% whether I am in favour of a Nuclear Power Plant in Nanticoke, and I am sure that there are many that feel the same way I do. Each of us will have our own opinions and thoughts on this issue, but what is missing for me personally is I have not had say!

Our elected Council members in Haldimand County have made that decision on our behalf. This was just plain wrong!

I don’t have a problem with council making regular every day decisions on how to run this county, but this decision was way behind their scope of "responsibilities". How much do they really know about Nuclear Power?

So that brings me to a few concerns and questions that if we were involved in the process with our Council maybe we would today have some answers;

Bruce Power has published the economic impact that this would have on the community, and has obviously shared this with our Council members.

Where did this information come from, and what back up documentation is there? Where are the Staff reports from Haldimand County?

The Environmental Assessment Process;

What are all the steps?
What role does the public play in this process?
Does the public get to vote on this?
What role does the County play in this process?
Is the process Fair?

I would like to see all the related information and all Staff Reports that relate to this question. In particular the background information that staff would have provided to our Council members.

Used Fuel and Waste Management;

Does staff and Council have the knowledge and the background related to this issue. Have they "fully" investigated and understand the scope of Waste management at this level? Again all staff reports and Council’s thoughts on this would have been appreciated.

Security and Safety;

Other then the information from Bruce Power, what other documentation and expert consultation has Haldimand County done. Again staff reports to back this up.

Environmental Effects;

Again other then the information provided by Bruce Power what information can staff provide on the effects? Has staff hired and consulted with experts in this field?

Other Alternatives;

What other alternatives were investigated? Meetings and reports from staff in relation to this are also critical. Has Haldimand County requested from the Provincial government funds be spent on the upgrades to the Coal Plant? If so, what response have they received?

I could go on and I am sure that many of you have even more questions.

My problem…We Were Never Asked…..

As I stated earlier this was a decision that Haldimand County Councillors should never have taken on without our input! They have certainly taken enough time in the last two years to speak to Bruce Power, but wouldn't speak to residents as they stated it was premature.

It looks like our Council has put us on a road where there is no turning around. As Councillor Sloat so eloquently put it….."The county will have an opportunity for giving input but will have no "decision making role".

Why on earth would our "elected officials" start a process that they themselves can not vote on or have a final say?

Is this "Responsible Government?"

There were many simple ways that Haldimand County Council could have engaged the community, but they once again decided that our "Voices" did not need to be heard!

Now maybe if we had been involved in the process from the beginning, and we took part in the decision to say, "We Are A Willing Host" I would feel differently today!

Haldimand "Has Haldimand Council bought Us a One Way Ticket"

Karen Best, reporter for the Chronicle wrote a very detailed article today in regards to a possible Nuclear Plant here in Haldimand (Nanticoke). Headline: Nuclear Plant becomes more than a Mirage".

As some of you may already know I am writing a petition with the help of a resident from Norfolk. This petition is in regards to the path that Haldimand/Norfolk councils have been going down the last 2 years.

Haldimand Council over the past two years has taken their time as our "elected representatives" to meet with MP Diane Finley and Bruce Power but has denied us the residents our right to have our say! We were told it was premature. Now if I am not mistaken when council is together as a "whole" this is "official" business?

When I was asked about what Haldimand County Council could have done differently, I didn't have a problem with a list of things they could have done to inform us and then ultimately ask us if we would join them (Council) in announcing that "We are a Willing Host". I am sure that some of you could come up with more suggestions for council.

Here are a few things that could have been done;

Public Announcements! Every week Haldimand County has an ad in "every" local paper that is paid by our tax dollars!

Public Meetings! Haldimand County has public meetings in chambers on a regular basis in regards to "Development", it is part of the process, is this not a major development?

Town Hall Meetings; Each council member could have taken the time to have their own town hall meetings, after all some did promise that if they were elected they would do this anyway!

An Insert in Our Tax Bills! This is a very cost effective way to inform the residents. Our tax bills are already sent out on a regular basis. Some of us even get them more often then others! One of these inserts could have been a simple "Ballot type Question".

Now as we all are aware none of the above has taken place. Why? Well up until this news article came out I would have said that council didn't want to hear what we had to say, but it seems that it is much deeper than that!

It looks like we have been given a "one way ticket". All thanks to our duly elected Municipal Council Members!

So Bruce Power will get their approval for an EA, they will have several public meetings, they have already set up a website, have already sent out some mailings, and have already placed full page ads in local newspapers. But in the end, will we really be part of the "decision" into whether a Nuclear Plant is built here or not. Well if I read correctly the comment from Karen's article correctly the answer is "NO".

Here is what Councillor Sloat said;

"We feel we are a willing host and the environmental assessment process will prove it one way or another," The county will have an opportunity for giving input but will have no decision making role." stated Councillor Sloat!

Is Bruce Power or Haldimand County going to have some kind of "ballot" that is fair? What I mean by fair is will this question be put to the "residents" like a ballot in an election? Or are they going to judge our "willingness" on the basis of who gets involved, or on the minimum requirements of the EA.

So this is where a petition will come in to play. If this petition was to state that until such a time that we can be convinced that the residents have been fully involved in this process by "our" Council, not Bruce Power, we are "not" a "willing host".

The petition should be ready by next week. We will then see just how much of a "willing host" the residents of Haldimand/Norfolk are. This will take time, but the EA process will also take time.

Here is the link to the entire article, it is a good read;
http://www.dunnvillechronicle.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1296315

Haldimand "Nuclear Plant not a Done Deal"

I received a few calls yesterday from reporters that have read my blog. One reporter Monte Sonnenberg from the Simcoe Reformer called me yesterday and we did an interview on the phone.

Mayor Trainer says it best in this interview; "If Bruce Power wants it, and the people want it, it will be hard to turn down"!

I cannot stress enough for everyone to get involved!

Whether you are for or against "Your Voice needs to be Heard".

Here is the interview;

Nuclear plant not done deal
Posted By Monte Sonnenberg, SIMCOE REFORMER
Posted 40 mins ago

Bruce Power says it still needs more information before it commits to building nuclear reactors
Bruce Power denies it is on a collision course with the province over the question of nuclear reactors in the Nanticoke Industrial Park.

Last week, Bruce Power announced it would spend $30 million over the next three years exploring the suitability of Nanticoke for an installation. The environmental assessment could pave the way for the construction of two reactors by 2018.

The same day, Ontario Energy Minister George Smitherman said the Nanticoke location does not enjoy the support or encouragement of the McGuinty government.

Bruce Power spokesperson James Scongack says the decision to conduct an environmental assessment is part of deciding whether Bruce Power wants to pursue the project. Bruce Power won't know whether Nanticoke is a good fit until it consults local stakeholders and puts the proposed location west of U.S. Steel under the microscope.

"Until we have an indication on both these items, we're not really prepared to talk about the big picture," Scongack said.

Scongack added that Bruce Power, as a private company, does not require the province's approval to do market research.

Duncan Hawthorne, CEO and president of Bruce Power, expressed similar sentiments in a statement Friday when the utility announced its intentions. The environmental assessment, he said, "will give us -- and Ontario -- a number of options to consider going forward."

"Although this is a major step forward, we will not make a decision to proceed with a project until we have consulted thoroughly with the people of Haldimand (and) Norfolk and have significantly progressed the environmental assessment," Hawthorne said.

In his remarks, Smitherman said Bruce Power is operating on its own. However, the energy minister did not explicitly reject the possibility of situating nuclear reactors in Nanticoke. A statement from Smitherman's office said the ministry has "not encouraged or solicited a proposal to build a nuclear generating station in the Haldimand (and) Norfolk region."

Smitherman also said, "Adding more nuclear beyond the existing supply of 50 per cent (14,000 megawatts) is not in Ontario's plans or in Ontario's interests."

Queen's Park is not encouraging Bruce Power, but Haldimand Mayor Marie Trainer believes it can be persuaded to have another look at Nanticoke.

Due to concerns over air quality, the McGuinty government plans to close the giant Nanticoke Generating Station by 2014. The plant is the largest coal-burning generating facility in North America.

Trainer says the province acknowledges that Nanticoke, by virtue of its location, plays a key role in balancing the load on the provincial grid. And the 500 kilovolt transmission corridor running north from the plant "is second to none," she added.

"If Bruce Power wants it and the people want it, it will be very hard to turn down," Trainer said.

Whether the people want it remains to be seen. Norfolk and Haldimand councils endorsed the concept of nuclear reactors in Nanticoke last year. However, in light of last week's announcement, opposition is beginning to gel at the grassroots level.

Donna Pitcher, of South Cayuga, led the charge in 2004 against Haldimand council's plan to sell Haldimand County Hydro. A candidate in Ward 2 in the 2003 and 2006 municipal elections, Pitcher collected a 3,500-signature petition against the utility sale. Council ultimately rejected the idea.

Pitcher is preparing a second petition demanding that the nuclear question appear as a ballot question in Hamilton and Haldimand, Norfolk and Brant counties in the 2010 municipal election.

"I have a problem with the democratic process," she said yesterday. "I have a problem with a council that wants to cram something down our throats without due respect for the democratic process."

As for the apparently contradictory signals coming from Bruce Power and the Ministry of Energy, Pitcher wonders if there is less here than meets the eye. She suspects the McGuinty government is preparing a pre-emptive defence against Bruce Power's plans in case there is a significant public backlash.

"Maybe this is a 'good cop-bad cop' situation," she said.

Article ID# 1281618
http://www.simcoereformer.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1281618

Haldimand "Public Opinion on Nuclear not Heard"

As part of the EA process, Bruce Power announced at the news conference last Friday that the public is a critical part of the process. But "YOU" have to get involved!

I am working on a blog of the time-line in Haldimand County. So far it looks like the IPSO's-Reid poll was taken after Haldimand County passed a resolution in favour of the EA process. In February and March of 2007 Haldimand County passed this resolution, and the poll was apparently done in May of 2007. If anyone has some information on this, please post. I have e-mailed IPSO to have them send me the information in regards to the wording and timing of this poll.

I am concerned about the route that our council has taken. In particular the timing of this resolution. During the Municipal Election of 2006, there was not a word spoken about the support of Haldimand Council in regards to a possible Nuclear Plant in Nanticoke, yet just "2" months after being sworn in this Council started the process by passing a resolution!

For those that may recall, the same thing happened during the Municipal Election of 2003. No sooner the election was over and Haldimand County Council announced the "proposed" sale of Haldimand County Hydro! I found out through the "freedom of information" that Council had been discussing this behind closed doors for "6" months. And yet not a mention of this during the election campaigning. We were successful in stopping this, but it cost the tax payers a great deal of money.

Is History repeating itself here in Haldimand County? You can be the judge on that one!

This question in my opinion should have been on the "ballot" in 2006! If Haldimand County Council wanted to know if the residents were in support, this would have been the best way to gauge how the residents felt.

Regardless of what Haldimand County Council has done to this point, "Your Voice Needs to Be Heard". Whether you are in favour or not, speak out!

The following is a letter to the editor by Janet Fraser of Cayuga.


Public opinion not heard
NUCLEAR POWER PLANT
Posted By
Posted 42 mins ago

We, the citizens of Haldimand and Norfolk, are deeply concerned about the process that has taken place in our community -- the lack of transparency. In Haldimand, seven people -- the mayor and six council members -- wrote letters of support for a nuclear plant to Premier Dalton McGuinty, but failed to consult with the community. Meetings between the councils of Haldimand and Norfolk and Bruce Power took place behind closed doors. These small county councils made an assumption that the community was in support, because they were understandably concerned about losing jobs at Nanticoke.

The communities were never consulted, nor did the councils arrange public information meetings. Over the last year and a half, concerned citizens have held a few information nights with speakers presenting various points of view on energy options. Grand Erie Energy Quest was formed in June 2007 so that the citizens of Haldimand and Norfolk would have an opportunity to educate themselves about energy options and to provide an opportunity to communicate with one an-o ther.

The website http://www.energyquest4nanticoke.ca was created.

In Norfolk, two women from the Canadian Federation of University Women-Norfolk, presented to Norfolk council their concerns about the project. I felt that the same should be done in Haldimand.

I submitted a formal request to Haldimand Council three times, last spring and summer, to make a 10-minute presentation to Haldimand council on behalf of Grand Erie Energy Quest. We wanted to voice our concerns about a nuclear facility at Nanticoke in a formal way. Haldimand council refused to hear the delegation about the proposed nuclear facility. It felt it was premature and not needed at this time. Councillors held a formal vote on the matter on Aug. 5, 2008 and voted 5 to 2 to deny my request. Mayor Marie Trainer and Coun. Lorne Boyko were the only two to vote in favour of allowing the delegation.

Grand Erie Energy Quest met in the summer with Haldimand-Norfolk MPP Toby Barrett to discuss the issues and plan another energy symposium so that the citizens have more information about energy and the environment. Toby Barrett, is the only one of our elected officials (from all levels) who has shown any concern about what the citizens have to say about this issue. He will be hosting this event on Nov. 20 in Jarvis.

I was encouraged to learn that this $8-billion nuclear plan lacks the province's blessing, and that Energy and Infrastructure Minister George Smitherman clearly stated that this initiative does not bear the approval of the the Government of Ontario. I am puzzled that Bruce Power would spend $30 million on an environmental assessment for a nuclear power plant without the blessing of either the province or the local community.

The citizens of Haldimand and Norfolk, as well as our neighbours at Six Nations, must be able to make an informed decision as to whether or not we are a willing host community for a nuclear plant. This decision cannot be made without much discussion and education about all aspects of the issue. This will take time. It is Bruce Nuclear's announcement that is premature. There needs to be public input first.

Janet Fraser R1 Cayuga
http://www.brantfordexpositor.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1279027

Haldimand "Will We have a Say?"

Well the long awaited announcement is coming today! The announcement that I believe was going to happen about a week before the Federal Election.

CHCH news announced on the 7:00am news that Bruce Power has intentions of building a Nuclear Plant in Haldimand County near Nanticoke.

As we all know our Elected Council in Haldimand County has already endorsed a Nuclear Plant on our behalf. Now some on Council will argue this fact and say all they have said is that they are all for an EA assessment.

Janet Fraser was told by Council that her right to be heard on the Nuclear Issue was premature a few months ago. Well Janet it seems now is the time to apply once again to speak to council on this issue! Will this make a difference?

Haldimand County sent letters to the upper levels of government in support of an EA assessment and the Mayor has said on a number of news releases that Haldimand County is in favour of a Nuclear Plant in Haldimand County.

Bruce Power has always stated that they would not build a Nuclear Plant in a community unless it is a "willing host". Well are we a "willing host" according to Bruce Power? Time will tell.

Let's see now if "Our Voices" will be "Heard"!

Here is an article on the announcement today;

Nanticoke eyed as site for nuclear power plant
Approval process could take at least 5 years
Oct 31, 2008 04:30 AM

Energy Reporter

Nuclear power-plant operator Bruce Power will signal to Queen's Park and the federal regulator today that it intends to build a new nuclear plant in the small community of Nanticoke, next to the massive coal-fired generating station that's slated for shutdown in 2014, the Star has learned.

Duncan Hawthorne, president and chief executive officer of Bruce Power, is expected to announce at an event near Nanticoke, along the north shore of Lake Erie, that his company is seeking a site preparation licence from the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission.

The application would start an approvals process likely to take five years before construction can begin. "I can't provide you with any details at this time," said company spokesperson Steve Cannon.

There's no guarantee such a plant will get built. The Ministry of Energy recently selected Darlington as the site of the province's newest nuclear plant in 20 years, to be operated by Ontario Power Generation.

Bruce Power lost its bid to construct and operate that first plant next to its existing facilities near Kincardine. Sources say Hawthorne is betting that the province will need more reactors.

Energy and Infrastructure Minister George Smitherman could not be reached for comment.
Industry experts say Nanticoke is considered an ideal site for a nuclear plant because of its location, lakeside access and ample access to high-voltage transmission lines.

The community is also used to having a power plant in its backyard and is worried about the loss of 600 jobs after the coal plant is shut down – though there would likely be a five-year gap between the shutdown of the coal plant and the first operation of a nuclear plant.

Hawthorne has spent two years courting the small communities in the region. In February, Norfolk and Haldimand counties sent letters to Premier Dalton McGuinty asking for the go-ahead to file for a site application, which triggers an environmental assessment.

Some area residents are cool to the idea of a nuclear plant. "Just because our mayor think it's a good idea doesn't mean the community members do as well," Victoria Smith, 24, told the Star. "I can assure you that's not the case."

http://www.thestar.com/Business/article/527939

Haldimand "Have Your Say"

I thought I would do something different on my blog. I would like to hear what you have to say on the issues. I am often called by someone who's letter never gets into the local papers, or when someone simply asks me to post on their behalf. Here is your opportunity to have your voice heard.

If you are going to post a long letter, the best way to do it is copy and paste your document into the comment section. Sometimes you will get disconnected if you have the comments box open too long. Blogger does not have spellcheck.

If you do not have a Blogger account and you want to sign your name, click the anonymous box and sign your name on the bottom of your post.

We look forward to hearing what you have to say!

Haldimand "Some Politicians are just Politically Drunk"

When I was in Dunnville the other day having a chat with a friend about politics, he said something to me that has not left my mind since. It actually makes a lot of sense when you look at what is happening all around us in the world of politics.

I am always asking questions in regards to why do "Politicians" do what they do. Or another phrase I like to use is that they "talk the talk, but don't walk the walk". Sometimes I will ask why has that person changed their position now that they are elected? Regardless we all have our own opinions on politics, whether it is "local", "provincial" or "federal".

So back to what my point is here.

When we were talking about local politics this person said to me that his father once said to him when he was elected as a town council member, not to get "Politically Drunk".

So I spent a bit of time last night googling "Politically Drunk" and a couple of websites and blogs had articles posted about the "abuse" of certain politicians. Most of these were in regards to money issues.

So I thought of what some of our "local" politicians have done and said in the past and I have come to the conclusion that some are in deed "Politically Drunk".

Here in Haldimand County our council members don't make a huge amount of money, but what they do have is the "power" over the "people". In my opinion this is what is seems like. They are elected on a few promises and then they seem to forget what they have promised to the people.

Now most of you haven't spent time sitting at a council meeting and actually why would you? I have spent many a time in the council chambers. At most there is one resident who goes to all council meetings, a few press, staff and unless there is a delegation that is it that attends.

All council members know who I am but for a few because I ran in the last election, am vocal on local issues and write a blog, I am not worth the ground that they walk on. This makes me feel very uncomfortable, but I go anyway. As a "resident" of this county I deserve to be treated "respectfully" but some cannot get past their "personal" vendetta towards me. So do I believe that some on our council are "Politically Drunk"? Yes I do, as over time I have stopped going to council meetings. Is this right? No.

I will give you one example of what happened the last time I attended Council. Minister Michael Bryant was here speaking to council about the native issues. Our council was given about an hour to directly ask questions to Bryant. Once council warmed up the questions were very good and Councillor Sloat made an excellent statement. As I have said many times I call it as I see it. When the press were talking to some residents, Sloat was standing there and I thought here is my opportunity to say to Sloat that his statement said it all...well...Sloat in front of a few people looked and me and said "I can't talk to you" and turned his back and walked away. Too bad he did that as I had more than a few questions from the people that heard what he said to me. They couldn't believe that an elected official could be that "disrespectful" to a resident.

Our council recently admitted that they are still doing business behind closed doors. Our council has been their own judge and jury. Our council has passed bylaws that supersede other bylaws. Our council recently denied a resident of Cayuga her right to speak. Our council has basically decided without our say that a Nuclear Plant should come to Nanticoke. Has Haldimand County Council become "Politically Drunk"?

When McGuinty was re-elected he promised all Ontarions that his government would be more "transparent and accountable" to the people. Legislation was passed in January of this year to make our "local council" more "transparent and accountable" to the people.

I believe that McGuinty at the time was in deed "Politically Drunk".

Maybe it is time that McGuinty look into legislation that would make a "politician" responsible to the people if they become "Politically Drunk".

Well that is my opinion, what about you, do you know someone that is "Politically Drunk"?

Haldimand "Our Council Needs to Be Educated"

This article by Karen Best really gets me going. It is not how Karen writes or what she writes about, actually the complete opposite. Karen writes it the way it is!

I have a real problem with Haldimand County Council. They just don't seem to understand the Municipal Act when it comes to what is allowed behind closed doors. This is not the first article that Karen has written that has "quotes" from Council Members "admitting" that a lot of what is discussed behind closed doors should be in the public forum.

In January of 2008 the Municipal Act changed as to allow investigations into "alleged" closed door meetings that should in fact be in the public forum.

When I ran for Council in 2006 one of the ways that I educated myself was by reading the Municipal Act. This is something that "ALL" Council Members will be very familiar with, so they have no excuse for going behind closed doors when they know it is "illegal" and wrong. But one has to prove that this is taking place.

Well maybe someone should just take the following news article and attach it to a "formal" complaint to the County. Council is "admitting" in some cases that 85 percent of what they are discussing should in fact be in the "open". One has to wonder why they are announcing to the "public" that they are not following the rules!

Councillor Grice has it right. In fact recently I had the opportunity while I was in the Mayor's office to ask Councillor Grice about his voting "no" to going into "closed sessions". I asked him if he was just voting "no" to go behind closed doors because that was one of his "election promises". His response was "no". So to me his answer is telling me that Council should in fact be discussing the issues that Councillor Grice is voting against in the "open".

Here is Karen's article and I will highlight the lines that really tick me off!


Dunnville Chronicle (ON)
Haldimand, Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Council moving to more open discussions

KAREN BEST CAYUGA - Haldimand County council chambers may remain open more often due to the persistence of members who believe some discussions belong in the public forum. At the April 14 council in committee meeting, Coun. Craig Grice said residents should hear presentations given by the Ontario Provincial Police. Even if they are saying nothing is new, the residents know that first hand, he added.

For two years, OPP have updated council members at every meeting. Occasionally, Inspector Dave McLean made a few comments before the meetings went in camera. Since he was elected, Grice voted against all closed sessions with police, provincial and federal politicians and negotiators.

"We should still go forward in open and public regardless what the questions are," he said about police presentations. Coun. Lorne Boyko said police officials can start in open and then go into closed if necessary. He too has argued that many more discussions should be held before the public.

While all members acknowledge a desire to have open sessions with police, it will be up to the inspector to decide if some information must be offered in private, said Coun. Buck Sloat.

As a result of these discussions, council reached a consensus to hear OPP reports in the open portion of meetings. As council was about to go into a closed session on April 14, Coun. Tony Dalimonte questioned matters scheduled for behind door review. An economic development and planning question was asked in public but was to be answered in private, which concerned Grice.

At least 85 per cent of what is there for planning should be out in the open, said Boyko."Six Nations should know in general what Haldimand County's position is,"he continued. "The issue was discussed several times. This is a strategy that's being planned and council should discuss all but 20 per cent in the open. I don't see this as something that's legal.

"But planning and economic development general manager Craig Manly did. He said recommendations in the report were based on legal advice and related legal implications can affect the county's future.

Sloat agreed saying discussions should be held in private to determine what can come out. On an item related to security of municipal property, Grice argued that budget implications are a public matter.

Dalimonte wanted to know why another issue related to security was a closed meeting item. County clerk Janis Lankester said that due to the nature of the company, the request will be discussed in closed and the decision will be made in open. All the company's meetings are confidential, she added.

All issues raised by council members at that meeting were discussed behind closed doors except the police update. OPP did not attend.

Thanks Karen for a great article. I do however just love the last comment that "all issues raised by council members at that meeting were discussed behind closed doors".

Well there you have it!

So what have we all learned here?

In my opinion Haldimand County Council needs to be "investigated", as they themselves admit that they "should" be discussing more in the "open", and then what do they do? They go behind "closed doors"!

Haldimand "Haldimand/Norfolk are We Going Nuclear?"

Recently I had the opportunity to speak in depth with Richard Goodlet from Norfolk County. Richard's concerns are real and we should be demanding answers on the truth of what is really going on regarding "Nuclear" power in Haldimand/Norfolk Counties.

Richard's involvement started back in November of 2007 as you will read in his letter, "Break it to me Gently" that I have posted below.

I mentioned to Richard that Haldimand County Council seems to be still seeking a Nuclear Plant here in Nanticoke and I really don't understand why. Well it seems that just maybe we once again are not being fully informed.

This process seems to be still going ahead, and yet we the "public" have not been informed here in Haldimand County. There has not been one public meeting regarding this issue. Norfolk County has had two I believe, and apparently Haldimand County Council is fully behind this venture.

I mentioned to Richard that we could hold a series of "Public Meetings" ourselves and have some speakers, Richard was in full agreement. At least the "Public" could be informed of what we know or more importantly what we don't know.

Haldimand County Council has already spoken on "OUR" behalf in favour of a Nuclear Plant in Nanticoke.

I would like to have a say, wouldn't You?

The following is information about "Grand Erie Energy Quest", I also put a link in "Interesting Sites" to go there directly. I encourage you to visit this site often, it is full of very valuable information!

Grand Erie Energy Quest

To ensure citizens have a democratic say in our energy future. To raise awareness on energy options for Haldimand/Norfolk/Brant/Hamilton.

Grand Erie Energy Quest was founded because the county council's of Norfolk and Haldimand endorsed an Environmental Assessment on a nuclear reactor at Nanticoke without meaningful public debate on the risks and benefits of a nuclear station at Nanticoke. It will be the residents of Grand Erie that take on the risks of a nuclear station at Nanticoke. Grand Erie Energy Quest does not feel that the safety, financial and environmental risks as well as the long term management of nuclear waste have been debated, clarified and/or agreed to by our communities.

The following is a letter from Richard;

BREAK IT TO ME GENTLY

In February 2007, was when we first heard there was an interest expressed by Bruce Power to build a nuclear reactor here in Nanticoke. Within the mind of this life-long resident there seemed to be an immediate pale of grey that had just descended over my community.

On March 22, 2007 the Simcoe and District Chamber of Commerce sponsored a breakfast at the Greens in Renton with guest CEO of Bruce Power, Duncan Hawthorn who was invited there to promote his industry. Soon after in May, 2007 both Haldimand and Norfolk councils requested that Bruce Power commence a Federal Environmental Assessment at the cost of $20,000,000.00.

Anyone who understands business knows that this type of investment is something no private investor will turn it’s back on and walk away from.

The myriad of complex issues surrounding nuclear power have to be totally understood by the people who live within it’s air-shed. These same residents also must have their say on this quest for energy at Nanticoke.

We know there are clean-air-technologies that are alternatives to nuclear power. We must demand that the very few who sit on both of the councils of Haldimand and Norfolk look at these alternatives thoroughly, listen to their constituents, and create an honest and open forum on this issue.

Richard Goodlet
Port Ryerse

The following is a note from Richard regarding a council meeting that I was unable to attend;

Hi Donna,

I was read some of the Canadian Federation of University Women presentation over the phone and it was what council should hear. However, it was accepted only as information and council advised the CFUW to make a presentation to Haldimand council.

Below is a CD98.9 blog address on the issue...
http://www.cd989.com/modules/news/article.php?storyid=12101

Today, CTV was inquiring whether-or-not there will be a public meeting here regarding the nuclear issue in the future. As yet I have not responded. Have you any further thoughts toward this idea?

Take care,
Richard

FYI:

Subject: News release

April 15, Norfolk county council has agreed to hear from the Canadian Federation of University Women [CFUW] - Norfolk about revisiting the decision they made to encourage the nuclearization of the electrical generating plant at Nanticoke without asking the taxpaying voters of Norfolk whether they wanted to be willing hosts to such a facility. Such issues as the safety of storing the spent nuclear fuel waste, using alternate fuel sources and cost/risk/benefit analysis need to have input from the residents of both Haldimand and Norfolk.Contact:Stephana Johnstonstephanajohnston@hotmail.com

More correspondence from Richard;

Hi Donna,

Below are two articles published about a presentation to Norfolk council made by the Canadian Federation of University Women regarding nuclear power. The CFUW now have their sights on Haldimand council or a public meeting in Haldimand sometime in the near future. I gave them your name (not number), they may be getting in touch.

Richard
--------------------------------------
Group opposes County’s decision on nuclear - council defensive

Port Dover Maple Leaf: Lyn Tremblay - April 23, 2008

Representatives of the Nor­folk chapter of the Canadian Federation of University Women attended last week’s Council-in-Committee meeting to protest a nuclear plant at the Nanticoke Generating Station. Specifically, the group is not in favour of a resolution passed by Norfolk County Council last June to support an Environmental Assessment of the proposed Nanticoke Nuclear Power Facility.

In a lengthy presentation, members Anne Faulkner of Delhi and Stephana Johnston outlined a number of facts arguing against nuclear power and the effects they believe it will have on Norfolk County. The decision to put a nuclear plant in Haldimand will affect the sales of our agricultural products, our homes, our new industries, tourism, etc., stated Anne Faulkner.

The group compiled a number of ‘whereas’ statements leading up to a proposed resolution they feel the county should adopt. Among them they asked Norfolk County to research alternatives to nuclear power and accused promises of transparency and openness in municipal government are being ignored in that taxpaying, voters have not been consulted to provide input to the decision process.

Councillors were obviously on the defensive in their responding comments.

Councillor Heidy Van Dyk noted there have been three public meetings (one especially for women) where people had opportunities to raise their concerns and the speakers in attendance had offered to speak to community groups.

Councillor Jim Oliver stated, I do take exception to the fact that you think we are not considering other sources of energy. We have embraced the concept of solar farms and wind farms. I feel Norfolk County is becoming a centre of excellence.

Mayor Dennis Travale explained it would not be logical to try to replace the Nanticoke Generating Station with other forms of power. If we were to replace it with wind turbines we would have to have 2,000 to 3,000 from Elgin to Haldimand and out on the lake. I can’t see a number of solar farms because we are an agricultural community. If someone wanted to bring geo-thermal, well jiminy-crickets, we’d listen. There is nothing wrong with look­ing at it but no one has. Bruce Nuclear came to speak with us. They will be asking Haldimand if they will be a willing host. They will be going through the Federal government’s EA process.

The group requested that council pass the following resolution, that Norfolk Council commission an unbiased survey of Norfolk taxpaying voters to ask whether they would willingly host a nuclear plant after they have been thoroughly educated about the scientific dilemma about transportation of nuclear fuel, the huge pools needed to store the hot radioactive waste, the circulation of cold water in and hot water out to Lake Erie, the effect this will have on the fishery, the risk of accidents, insurance issues, property values, the research showing higher rates of cancer around nuclear facilities and many other impacts.

Councillor John Wells ques­tioned, if we never start a study how are we ever going to find out if people are in favour or not? We need to know the pitfalls and until we do we are only looking at hypothetical situations. He later added, is this a NIMBY (not-in-my-back-yard) syndrome?

Councillor Charlie Luke responded, how are we going to know if the public is thoroughly educated? After we are being asked to have an unbiased survey, you list many negatives. I think it is better to educate by offering pros and cons. We have to present both sides to get an hon­est unbiased opinion.

Mayor Travale bristled, I find the resolution very negative. Nanticoke is closing. Six hundred jobs will be gone. Solar and wind are not going to replace Nanticoke!

Councillor Roger Geysens pointed out, the ultimate decision is with Haldimand County Council. I will say with 99% certainty, there will be a lot of public input.
--------------------------------
Concerned residents want more input on nuclear

PUBLIC ALREADY CONSULTED: COUNCIL

SIMCOE REFORMER: Kate Schwass - April 21, 2008

Norfolk needs to do an unbiased survey of residents to see whether or not people here are in favour of a nuclear plant, concerned residents say.

A survey should be conducted at arms length from Bruce Power, said Stephana Johnston of Port Rowan, a member of the Canadian Federation of University Women Norfolk. She said the survey is necessary to see if residents "are prepared to be willing hosts to a nuclear plant in Nanticoke."
Johnston and fellow CFUW mem­ber Anne Faulkner went before council last Tuesday night to ask for the survey, saying Norfolk has been moving too quickly when it comes to the possibility of a nuclear plant in Nanticoke. They said the county has funded a study about the benefits of a nuclear plant. and has also given approval to start an environmental assessment of the Nanticoke property, to see if it is an ideal location for a nuclear plant.

"The citizens of Norfolk need to collectively provide input so they are part of the solution, not passive recipients of a future flawed nuclear solution," Faulkner said.

Up until this point, the two women said, people have not had a chance to give their input.
Coun. Heidy VanDyk said she was aware of three separate open houses and she personally attended one of them.

"At the public consultation I was at, there were a lot of people there and some of them raised concerns and asked questions," VanDyk said. It concerns me that there are folks who think their voices have not been heard.

Both women asked Norfolk to do a survey that not only asked about nuclear power, but also about other energy sources.

Coun. Jim Oliver said he felt Norfolk was being progressive when it came to other sources of energy.

I think Norfolk County, in its own way, is becoming an energy centre of excellence, Oliver said. I happen to think this council is very much in favour of looking into alternative energy.

Mayor Dennis Travale agreed, pointing out there is Wind and solar energy already being produced in Norfolk.

"We have another possible solar project coming into Norfolk, he said.

The two women said asking for an environmental assessment (EA) for a nuclear plant on the Nanticoke site was the wrong way to go about the process, and instead a study should be done looking at all energy options.

Travale said if another energy producer wanted to consider the property, then he thinks the council would likely give approval to an EA for that alternative energy as well.

Well there you have it! Now what do you think? If we have a public meeting without the endorsement of Haldimand County Council would you attend? I think it is time that the residents of Haldimand and Norfolk 'Unite".

Haldimand "Mayor Trainer says I Think they are Pooping on Us"

Well the deadline has passed and the answer is official, "no money" for Haldimand County Recovery Plan. Are you surprised?

I usually call and talk to Mayor Trainer regarding issues before I write about them, but in this case I am taking all of my information from an article written by Karen Best of the Chronicle. Karen is an excellent reporter and I trust that all of her information is correct. I have taken some excerpts from the article in particular the ones that I am interested in and made comments under each one. You can either buy the chronicle or go to the link to read the entire story online. Please read the entire article it is very informative.

Thanks Karen for an excellent story, and for informing the public of what has transpired!

Haldimand County council disappointed by provincial government; Protest in the works?

Posted By KAREN BEST
Posted 2 hours ago

Mayor Marie Trainer's sit in by a senior government minister's office door was put on hold until both the provincial and federal governments have time to review Haldimand County's recovery plan.

She and other council members are hoping for more positive responses than those received within the last week. The Ontario government rejected an $8.4 million grant application for a Hagersville sewage plant upgrade and the federal government revealed a set of strings attached to $1.26 million in grant money for replacement of cast iron water pipes in Dunnville. On top of that, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada minister Chuck Strahl rejected council's request for a meeting.

So council will wait until April 21 for a different kind of news.

Earlier this year, the $56 million recovery plan was mailed to Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty and Prime Minister Stephen Harper and a few of their ministers. The plan predominantly focused on expensive infrastructure including improvements to the Dunnville, Cayuga, Hagersville and Caledonia sewage treatment plants and funding for an infrastructure study in the Nanticoke industrial park.

Council members were very disappointed about the Hagersville grant rejection especially when the project met all criteria including ready to build and related to infrastructure. County chief administrative officer Don Boyle and physical services managers planned to seek an explanation for the failed application from officials in the Ontario Ministry of Public Infrastructure Renewal. Boyle held the county's application up against many that were granted a portion of the $450 million provincial Municipal Infrastructure Investment Initiative. Ottawa received the most with $20 million for a library and archives followed by Hamilton with $14 million for trails. A $7 million theatre in Chatham-Kent attracted funding as did a $4.5 million aquatics centre in St. Catharines.

Frustration surfaced in related discussions. Boyle said there was no indication when Ontario will deal with the county recovery plan. "No one seems to have the time," he said.

My understanding of the statement above by Boyle is that the "Government" is telling Haldimand County exactly that, "they have no time for us". You certainly don't need a "brick" to fall on your head to understand that one.

Coun. Buck Sloat suggested camping out to protest and Trainer said that for some time she was considering that as a last resort. "If that's what it takes, we'll sit in front of the minister's office," added Sloat.

Now just a suggestion, but do you think that we (the residents) should ask if we can join Council in their "Sit In"? Or are they just not ready for the support yet.

"We need straight up front conversation with ministries to see where they stand with Haldimand County," said Boyle. In his mind, Plan B can involve galvanizing the community around a common theme - "we need help for this". "They've ignored us," noted Boyle.

"Plan B"? Well we have heard that before. Everyone seems to have a "Plan B", do you know what "Plan B" is? Now here Boyle is talking about the community? Is he asking for our help, now that it is "confirmed" that they have been "ignored"?

Trainer stated that Haldimand County was being held hostage for all of Canada and believed governments wanted to leave it there and forget the municipality. "We have to change that approach," she added.

It would be interesting to find out how Haldimand County is going to change their approach. I would firstly suggest that Haldimand County change their approach to the most important asset that they have and that is the "Residents of Haldimand County"! Have we not been ignored and chastised in all of this?

Trainer said she has taken provincial aboriginal affairs minister Michael Bryant's advice to heart to no avail. Last November, he suggested she stop "pooping" on Premier Dalton McGuinty and she did. Unfortunately that did not open the doors to assistance, she pointed out. Given grant rejection and recent correspondence, she believed the tables were turned.

"I think they are pooping on us," she said.

Well their is the first "secret" that has surfaced, and it wouldn't have been revealed if the money had come our way! We in Haldimand have been "POOPED" on from the beginning, and it is very obvious that our own "Elected Officials" have been aware of this for some time! Is it not time now for Haldimand County to come clean?

While recognizing the camp out as a good suggestion and willing to do it, Coun. Tony Dalimonte convinced council to give the federal and provincial government time to study the huge list of recovery items in front of them.

Well just when you thought that maybe just maybe Council would ask for our help, and bingo, Councillor Dalimonte has convinced Council to just wait a little bit longer. So I guess there is "no" "Plan B" after all! Hello guys, you have been told, when are you going to get it!

"If any good came out of this whole issue, it has brought the county together," noted Trainer. Council members adopted Boyle's suggestion to wait to react until Bryant's April 21 meeting with council.

I would like an explanation for this statement from Mayor Trainer. How has this brought the County "together"? The "Recovery" plan was done behind closed doors and with no interest on behalf of Council or Staff for our input. The plan was forced to be made public by the "Provincial Government" who basically stated they will not give funds unless we hear from the public. Could part of the failure to secure these funds be on the backs of Council members who decided in their wisdom to not follow "due process"?

A change in course from treading lightly may be due, the CAO indicated. "As a county, we need to stand up and be counted," said Boyle about mobilizing council and the community.

The residents of Haldimand County have been asking their own "Elected" officials this for quite some time now. Once again Boyle is asking that the Council and Community get together.

In response to council's request to meet with the minister, his chief of staff wrote that Strahl "must decline". No explanation was provided. As an alternative, he suggested the county ask senior federal negotiator Ron Doering to update them on Six Nations land claim negotiations. "Once again we're getting a brush off," said Boyko who prepared a motion describing the Strahl's response as unsatisfactory and asking for dialogue with the minister. Council unanimously endorsed the motion.

Maybe council is dealing with the wrong ministries because the INAC and the Ontario ministry of aboriginal affairs ministers place First Nations as their top priority, said Trainer.

Sloat pointed out that the first responsibility of every federal minister is to the citizens of Canada. He also asked staff to follow up on Finley's promise to arrange a meeting with Strahl.

http://www.dunnvillechronicle.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=968357&auth=KAREN+BEST

Haldimand "My Chat with Jim Dover from Haldimand County"

Last Wednesday I received a phone call from Jim Dover, Manager of Human Resources for Haldimand County. This phone call was in regards to my letter to the editor on March 14th, 2008 in the Sachem. The original post was regarding Haldimand County employees that make over $100,000.00 a year.

We spoke on the phone in depth about “Pay Equity” and “retroactive pay”. There was also some conversation about “comparative” Salaries. I questioned Jim on the comparisons of these positions in particular with the Manager of Corporate Services. As I stated in my blog Norfolk and Brant have a higher tax base, yet Haldimand County pays much higher salaries. Jim explained to me that they did not compare these with Norfolk or Brant, the comparison was with Niagara and Hamilton. I didn’t quite get that, but that is what they did.

If you compare Haldimand with Hamilton in population and tax base, there is nothing to compare too. Haldimand population…..42,000......... Hamilton......... population 503,000, but who am I, and what would I know about these issues?

Jim said that he would send me the reports that had the background information on the “Pay Equity”. Well what I received today is a document called the “Pay Equity Plan”, this is posted for all employees of Haldimand County. The reports that Jim was talking about are “confidential” and he could not send these to me. That makes perfect sense to me that these reports he was talking about would be "confidential", as stated that Grades above "14" are "contracted" positions.

As I was reading this “Pay Equity Plan” on page two it states:

Grades 14 through 17 “are not” included in the Non-Union Pay Equity Plan as positions in these grades are considered “anomalies” in that they are contract positions.

Well there you have it! Most of the Managers and Employees that are listed in the $100,000.00 dollar club are in Grade 14 and above, in particular Manager of Corporate Services.

Jim clarified that Haldimand County also did a “salary comparison” of Managers with Hamilton and Niagara, this was nothing more than a Salary increase in my opinion.

Now I am sure that Haldimand County would have liked me to do a “correction” or a “clarification” on my blog, but as you can see, for me this was not possible.

There is a huge difference between “Pay Equity” and “Pay Comparison”. The reasons behind comparing Haldimand with Hamilton are not justified. This council should have seen this and been "proactive" and "fiscally responsible".

I stick to my original story and that is the end of this story.

Haldimand "News Release from Caledonia Citizens Alliance"

Ken Hewitt from the Caledonia Citizens Alliance e-mailed me this news release today. I found this a very interesting read, in fact I called Ken Hewitt to clarify a few questions I had.

What I found very interesting is that Mayor Trainer, Councillors Grice, Boyko and a member of the Alliance all sit on the Liaison side table together. The document that the Alliance put together and submitted was not a "secret" document, Council would have been fully aware, if they were not aware, ask the above council members that question.


NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 20, 2008

CALEDONIA IGNORED IN HALDIMAND ‘RECOVERY PLAN’

The last two years have proven a constant challenge for the Caledonia Citizens Alliance, a group of volunteers committed to ensuring Caledonia has a voice in the ongoing land dispute and fall-out over DCE. Case in point is the unfair criticism these community volunteers took from local council members over voicing their concerns regarding the lack of Caledonia representation and public input in the Haldimand County ‘Recovery Plan’.

On January 21, 2008 Haldimand County adopted a recommendation to publicly release a report entitled ‘Haldimand County Recovery Projects Plan’ that had previously been adopted in closed session. In the report, dated December 4, 2007 Don Boyle, CAO of Haldimand County requests council approval for the recovery plan "related to the impacts of Land Claims issues, which will be forwarded to the Federal and Provincial Governments soliciting financial assistance in undertaking these initiatives."

"The document clearly outlines that there has been significant economic and social impact in Haldimand County. Given that the situation is taking place in Caledonia you would have to assume that this has had the greatest impact in Caledonia, so it is interesting to note," said Ken Hewitt, Alliance member, "that a document entitled Recovery Plan includes nothing to assist Caledonia."

Members of the Alliance were shocked to see requests for $250,000 for decorative lighting in Dunnville and an additional $635,000 to improve the functionality and aesthetics of Dunnville downtown in support of business development and tourism attraction. The only request within the Recovery Plan for Caledonia is improvements to waste water treatment and water supply facilities and a vague request including five other communities to assist with creating and supporting small business retention and development in downtown areas.

Based on the lack of Caledonia representation the Alliance decided to compile its own research and prepare an alternative document to enhance the County’s proposal. Once completed this document not only supported the County proposal but also added some additions to assist the flagging community of Caledonia. This document was then shared with the Haldimand County Mayor and the Honorable Diane Finely, MP Haldimand-Norfolk.

"We wanted to ensure that Haldimand County was aware of this document because the Province has made it very clear in the liaison meetings that both the community and Haldimand County Council have to be onside with any proposal," said Jason Clark, also a volunteer with the Alliance, "We made sure to email it to the appropriate people at Haldimand County and spoke with others who were involved." Mr. Clark noted that all the information included in the document has come from public input over the last two years.

The document along with the Haldimand County proposal is also available on the Alliance website at www.caledoniacitizensalliance.com.

"We believe the Haldimand County Recovery Plan has merit, but we don’t feel it provides sufficient assistance to those affected the greatest by the ongoing dispute, the community of Caledonia," said Mr. Hewitt. "Don Boyle, CAO of Haldimand County previously indicated that the county cannot develop until the issue of occupations is addressed, does that mean we give up on Caledonia?" asked Mr. Hewitt, "I think it means we fight even harder to make sure Caledonia has a voice."

Contact information: Ken Hewitt 905.765.5222

Haldimand "Rebuilding Structure for Stability"

As the county had already forwarded their Recovery Plan to the Government without "public input", the Province insisted that the County do just that, make the document "public". The Province basically stated that they wanted feed back from the people before they considered giving the County any funds, whether it be the whole $56 million dollars or part of that amount. Anyone could have written a letter, put in a proposal, or simply commented on the county's Recovery Plan. The County will be notified at the end of March if any funds are coming our way.

The Caledonia Citizens Alliance did just that. They submitted their own plan called "Rebuilding Structure for Stability".

The county was not pleased with the Alliance for submitting this plan, and had to do as they stated in the local papers some "damage" control on "our behalf". There are also residents in Caledonia who are not so happy that the Alliance took this course of action, as they did the same thing the County did, they never asked the "public" for their "input".

The way I see it is the County once again didn't follow "due process". The County never asked the residents what are your thoughts, wishes, concerns etc. I am not saying that the County needs to have a "public" meeting every time they make a decision, but this was a huge project. And as I stated the Province was not too impressed that the County did this behind closed doors.

The one thing that I do fear is that there is a mixed message here. If I was on the outside looking in at these two proposals, what would I think? One from the County, another from a Citizens Group. I would ask this; Who is speaking on behalf of the taxpayers of Haldimand County?

I had e-mailed the Caledonia Alliance and asked them if they could send me the proposal that was sent to the Government. They had not problems with this and gave me full permission to post this on my blog. Here it is...........

Date: February 23, 2008
To: Office of Hon. Diane Finley, P.C., M.P.
From: Caledonia Citizens Alliance

Re: Rebuilding Structure for Stability

On February 13, Haldimand County CAO Don Boyle shared the rationale and priorities of the County’s list of recovery projects. Before an open meeting of approximately one hundred and fifty people, the CEO advised that the list was the result of cross-referencing County needs against existing government capital programs. While few took issue with the list or the rationale, the public took strong issue with the fact that the list was completely silent on three key issues which the community (Caledonia in particular), has endured for two years.

Launched on February 28, 2006, the Douglas Creek Estates protest by Six Nations is unique from most other claims in Canada because of it’s proximity to an urban area (Edmonton is the second such incident). The result has been significant third party impact well beyond the fundamental impact of an unresolved First Nations claim.

The resulting issues are:

Security – Ontario handed defacto control to Six Nations by requiring the OPP to secure 6N blessing on 6th Line policing……6N becomes escape route / haven for criminals.

Communications – The tri-partite claim resolution model (Fed/Prov/FN) leaves County and Caledonia residents out of the loop and dependent on 3rd party interpretation because layers of government vetting result in watered down content and are not timely.

Recovery – Developers, trades, retailers, the municipality, transport sector and community health agencies are all left with a radically different external context. Already strained, the private sector can ill afford to engage in the area economy when it offers little behavioural evidence of stability to act on strategic plans.

Acknowledge Reality. The public applauds the efforts of Haldimand County to document what it considers to be a logical list of recovery projects given government capital assistance programs.

However, it is unfortunate that process was essentially behind closed doors and did not engage their constituency – a critical error in strategic planning with the aim to galvanizing hope for the future.

For the Community to be supportive, the document must first of all acknowledge obvious challenges faced by the citizens – silence is unacceptable as it perpetuates grievances where hope is essential.

The document should reflect the following: State and acknowledge the key issues stated above.
If capital assistance programs free up County resources, state those secondary priorities.
Face the Caledonia community and its key issues head on.

Re-establishing Stability for Economic Function

Below are suggested objectives and tactics to help establish community confidence and effective economic function:

Respectfully, the Ontario government is talking from two different platforms when, on one hand, they say that they are not permitted to direct the OPP, yet require the OPP to seek out the blessing of the Haudenosaunee concerning policing on 6th and 7th Lines. Two years have passed!

Incrementally re-establish regular visible patrolling of 6th and 7th Line as obliged.
We have witnessed OPP officers working hard to take down criminals of all communities. However, applying the letter of the law and halting at the intersection of Argyle South and 6th Line while watching a criminal flee down the 6th Line to find haven on the Six Nations Reservation – does not make common sense.

The nature of people from all communities is such that if there is no accountability, there will be no reason to abide by the law. This is not simply a matter of concern for municipalities adjacent to Six Nations, but also an issue for Six Nations themselves. Encourage the municipalities (including Six Nations Council) along with their respective police boards to formulate strategies on this matter. Be supportive of the efforts of Six Nations Band Council Chief Bill Montour to enhance their police team and establish their own magistrate. Empower responsible citizens of all communities.

While HDI holds no authority, it functions like a thief, perpetuating disputes which rob everyone of time, energy and money. Murray Coolican and MAH Minister Watson have unequivocally stated that Ontario is confident in it’s title system and that HDI has no jurisdiction and developers/builders are not required to pay the fees asserted by HDI. But what behavioural action supports that stance?

Not only are Ontario businesses struggling with the impact if a par dollar and down turns in the auto sector, billions of dollars worth of development and construction are leaving a major economic corridor because the Ontario government cannot provide assurance that their framework of law and order is sufficiently stable to do business. ie: In Hagersville Dan Valentini’s approved housing project was disrupted by trespassers stirring things up on behalf of the Haudenosaunee. Can we not defend peace in the event site work is disrupted? Exercising "Tough love" means respect for the person not respect for bad behaviour. We can respect the claimant and give attention to the details of a claim while saying "no" to civil disobedience.

A tri-partite stakeholder model was established early on by governments to be utilized by Ron Doering and Murray Coolican for negotiating the Haldimand Tract claims. This model is sound for geographically remote sites where there is minimal third party impact. However, that is not the case in Caledonia and to complicate matters further, Six Nations representatives attending main table meetings utilize a sophisticated network of Internet blogs to get their slant out immediately upon exit from the negotiation room. Naturally there is hesitation around the introduction of another community stakeholder group which may complicate matters with another set of bias. However, there is room for a carefully selected communications lias that understands tough love, power, culture, negotiations, etc.

Building Hope

The Community applauds the work of negotiators Ron Doering and Murray Coolican in their efforts to resolve the claims. It is understood that this will take some time as Six Nations builds their governance model and as duty to consult processes are established. However, with multiple and sound offers on the table and no effort on the part of the Haudenosaunee to meet on the duty to consult, the need to put food on our plates and maintain the roof over our head continues. It is not a problem if Six Nations people wish to go slow and wait – but the creator says that work still needs to be done.

In organizing the list of suggestions listed below, consideration was given to the following objectives:

Haldimand strengths and opportunities as stated by Ottawa Consultant McSweeny:
Outstanding underutilized heavy industrial site;
Opportunity for strong continuing role in power generation;
Grand River corridor and Lake front appeal for tourism and culture; and
Food processing proximate to large markets.
Recovery through infrastructure
Facilitating community to community engagement
Listing in priority order with most important listed first

In addition to the above findings, it is prudent that we compliment the investment in heavy industry with the provision of fully serviced light industrial sites in each community of Haldimand County. This will enable the establishment of small to medium sized enterprises which not only target their services to heavy industry, but also the world’s niche markets. This is supported by the findings of Haldimand as a significant exporter/importer of skilled labour.

Community to Community

That the Ontario Minister of Health appoint a Family Health Team to Caledonia, Ontario. To date the Ministry has assigned 150 FHT’s in three waves over the last 4 years. The Liberal Government’s 2007 election campaign platform called for the allocation of another 50 teams over the subsequent 4 years. One has already been assigned to Sudbury which was the most underserved (as measured by doctor/patient ratio) community in Ontario. Caledonia is second from the bottom. The Mayor of Haldimand supports the idea and agreed to write letter supporting application. Can MP Diane Finley and MPP Toby Barrett also provide a letter of support to accompany our application?

Support the Community Support Centre with $100k/yr for 5 years to help deal with the sudden growth in community health and social challenges. As we have advised MAH Deputy Minister John Burke, the needs have changed and evolved over the last two years. Can HRDC and MAH or other programs assist us with perhaps a collaborative contribution to the above need?

Caledonia has great opportunity for a modest cost to link it’s walking paths and Haldimand’s undeveloped rail trails to the Hamilton and Niagara Escarpment network. A citizens group led by Tom Bernard is already established and sees this as another opportunity to bring people with an "Active Lives" mind set to Caledonia. In addition, Don Bowman has assembled a team to launch an annual Father’s Day event on and along the Grand River to also provide opportunity for community to community engagement. Haldimand County has plans for the County which include a link to Hamilton as well as Niagara and includes a Rotary Trail along the River that could link to Brantford. This project could be leveraged with a $250k contribution from each of the 3 levels of government with an additional requirement for private/community contributions on either an in-kind or cash basis not less than $250k.

The County Recreation Department would be required to have a $1mln plan approved for implementation over 3 years to be fully completed by September 2010. The City of Brantford and Six Nations could be approached to contribute to link it to their respective communities.
Ask Minister Bryant to appoint a multi-community team to generate a proposal for the long-term use of DCE. The Lias Table that meets every two weeks should be encouraged to look at this question. (while guarding against a pre-empted idea: many ideas have been suggested and include: history centre, indigenous plants of the Grand, arboretum, medical centre, aquatic centre, fire hall, Aboriginal Affairs office)

Infrastructure:

Since 2000, development in Caledonia has universally rallied around the East side development concept of the McClung Bridge and ring road. This has been driven by a need to be sensitive to Six Nations to the SE, the need to integrate disaster recovery logic into transport arteries and it’s proximity to land available for future development. The McClung Bridge and ring road costs $17mln. Ontario has $3mln designated for a detour and temporary Bailey to support reconstruction of the Argyle Bridge, but this money can be re-allocated to the McClung project. The County is in a position to take $1.3mln designated to a third lane of the Argyle Bridge project and reallocate to the McClung project. The private developers could be invited to participate by capitalizing the roads while governments could agree to tackle the bridge. This has potential to be a wonderful joint initiative. As a second phase of this project, the ring road can be connected to the HWY 6 bypass by the installation of a cloverleaf to provide convenient access to Six Nations as well as Caledonia South. This cloverleaf can be a joint project of Six Nations and Haldimand County as and if each party is inclined. It also has the potential to help reduce tensions associated with the policing of 6th Line. We suspect it is not prudent to proceed with the construction of the Stirling Bridge, so the $1mln federal money should be gratefully declined and settlement made with the developer of Stirling Woods.

Small businesses are collectively a critical component to the Canadian economy. While the development of large industry is important for employment, it is equally important that a compliment of fully serviced light industrial parks be available in the region. While the County should be encouraged to pursue this in all it’s major communities, in Caledonia it should focus on the NE Quad and complete servicing in the NW Quad. Small and medium business enterprises serve to meet needs in niche markets throughout the world and form a material part of the Canadian economy. Their strength is their ability to be agile in a constantly changing global marketplace.

Advancing the development of the Nanticoke Industrial Park is a sound move, particularly for Ontario’s economic engine and challenges as previously stated. Again, Haldimand County can more effectively advise concerning cost and strategy.

The Nanticoke Water Scheme is a sound long term water strategy involving multiple municipalities. This will utilize existing intakes in Lake Ontario to disbursement into Haldimand, Norfolk, Six Nations, Brantford, Cambridge, etc. This is a material project which will undoubtedly galvanize strong support from Ontario. Haldimand County can provide better cost and engineering details than is available to citizens. Obviously, advancing the Nanticoke Water Scheme also begs the need to ensure the network has sufficient capacity to effectively deal with the potential sewage once the water is utilized.

Commerce

Contribute grant money to renovate the Old Arena. Situated on the Caledonia Fairgrounds, the Old Arena is poised to become a vibrant community building for "dry" assembly purposes. Current use is diverse and includes trade shows, dog shows, sporting events, car shows, heritage festivals, fundraisers, youth activities (ie. 4-H, church) and concerts. Renovations to convert it to a year-round, modern, multi-purpose facility would enhance its potential not only for the local community but attract outside organizations and businesses. The feasibility study is near completion and the anticipated $2mln renovation includes: address any structural needs including removal of old concrete bleachers, insulation, heating systems, variety of rooms sizes for service clubs and meetings, new fully accessible washrooms/showers/change rooms, commercial kitchen, office/service space for special need groups, AV, acoustic and décor for special events. Canada and Ontario each grant $750k to renovate the Old Arena. The Caledonia Fair Board and community have already raised money to pay for the feasibility study, so there should be will for the community to rally and raise the rest including an cost overruns in excess of $2mln. A redevelopment project fits very well with the current situation.

It is a proven fact that retention is a great deal less costly than expansion. We thank governments for helping Caledonia with resources for the BR+E project and look forward to engaging the results being generated by 40 volunteers from a cross-section of 250 businesses. The report is expected to be available in July 2008.

Respectfully Submitted

The Caledonia Citizens Alliance thanks those receiving and considering the above ideas and concedes that this document does not do justice to the details of each project nor the efforts of the people working behind the scenes on resolving those details. Contacts for each project and further comment can be provided by Jason Clark and Ralph Luimes.