SCOTT ROSTS , OCT 20, 2006
A CORRECT VOTE NEXT MONTH MAY MAKE THE DIFFERENCE !
GRIMSBY COUNCIL AGREES TO 'STOP' THE DEVELOPMENT'
GRIMSBY COUNCIL HAS TURNED DOWN A SUBDIVISION PROPOSAL WHICH WOULD SEERESULT IN 44 TOWNHOUSE UNITS BEING BUILT ON THE CORNER OF LAKE STREET AND BARTLETT AVENUE, BUT JUST BARELY.
AT MONDAY NIGHT'S MEETING, COUNCIL VOTED 5-4 TO DENY THE APPLICATION FOR LAKESIDE TERRACES. THE VOTE CAME AFTER DEBATE ABOUT THE ISSUE THAT INCLUDED FEARS THAT THE RESOLUTION WHICH CAME FROM PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE LAST TUESDAY WAS TOO VAGUE, AND NOT DEFENDABLE AT THE ONTARIO MUNICIPAL BOARD -- WHICH IS WHERE THE APPLICATION IS HEADED, ACCORDING TO THE DEVELOPER'S PLANNER JOHN ARIENS OF PLANNING AND ENGINEERING INITIATIVES LTD.
RESIDENT PAUL STEVENSON, WHOSE PROPERTY IS NEXT DOOR TO THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT, ALSO SPOKE AS A DELEGATION.
ALD. DAVE WILSON, WHO CHAIRS THE PLANNING COMMITTEE, EXPLAINED TO COUNCIL THE ISSUE WAS VOTED DOWN BECAUSE THE PROPOSAL WAS NOT "IN KEEPING WITH THE OFFICIAL PLAN", AS IT'S IN GRIMSBY BEACH, A "SPECIAL CHARACTER AREA".
ALD. DAVID FINCH, WHO SITS ON THE COMMITTEE, SAYS THE PROJECT IS BEST DESCRIBED AS INFILLING. "THE OFFICIAL PLAN REQUIRES INFILLING BE SIMILAR IN NATURE TO WHAT IS ALREADY THERE. TOWNHOUSES JUST DON'T DO IT," HE SAID.
FINCH COMMENDED THE DEVELOPER FOR WORKING CLOSELY WITH STAFF ON THE PROJECT BUT SAID IT JUST WASN'T ENOUGH.
ALD. TONY QUIRK, HOWEVER, NOTED HE IS CONCERNED AT HOW VAGUE THE WORDING IS.
HE SAID IT IS HIS UNDERSTANDING MOST OF THE CONCERNS AT COMMITTEE COULD HAVE BEEN DEALT WITH AT THE SITE PLAN STAGES.
"I THINK WE'RE GOING TO HAVE OUR HANDS FULL TRYING TO DEFEND THIS AT THE OMB," SAID QUIRK, ADDING IN ADDITION TO THE VAGUE RESOLUTION THEY HAVE TO "BUTT HEADS" WITH REGIONAL AND PROVINCIAL PLANNING POLICIES THAT ENCOURAGE HIGH-DENSITY GROWTH.
GRIMSBY'S PLANNING DIRECTOR KEITH VOGL SAID ONE OF THE STICKIEST ISSUES IS INTERPRETING WHAT TYPE OF DEVELOPMENT THIS IS -- INFILLING OR REDEVELOPMENT.
IN THE OFFICIAL PLAN WITH INFILLING, HE SAID, DEVELOPMENT MUST BE SIMILAR IN NATURE. WITH REDEVELOPMENT, MIXES OF DEVELOPMENT ARE ENCOURAGED. HE SAID COMMITTEE APPEARED TO BE AGAINST THE TOWNHOUSE STYLE OF DEVELOPMENT, SAYING IT WASN'T COMPATIBLE.
"I THINK THAT'S NOT GOING TO BE THE EASIEST ARGUMENT TO MAKE," HE NOTED.
HE SAID THE APPLICANT WANTED A DECISION ONE WAY OR ANOTHER AT THE MEETING, RATHER THAN GOING BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD.
HE NOTED, HOWEVER, HE THINKS THE RESOLUTION IS "DEFENDABLE".
IN THE END, AFTER MUCH DEBATE, THE MAYOR BROKE A DEADLOCK VOTE TO MAKE IT 5-4 IN FAVOUR OF DENYING THE PROPOSAL. IN A RECORDED VOTE, FERTICH, ALD. JEFF JORDAN, ALD. NICK ANDREYCHUK AND QUIRK VOTED AGAINST DENYING THE APPLICATION, WHILE ALD. STEVE BERRY, FINCH, DIFLAVIO, WILSON AND MAYOR BOB BENTLEY VOTED IN FAVOUR. THE ISSUE IS ALREADY THE SUBJECT OF AN OMB APPEAL, WHICH ARIENS NOTED AT EARLIER MEETINGS WAS MADE TO KEEP THE REAL ESTATE DEAL ALIVE. IN AN INTERVIEW LAST WEEK ARIENS SAID HE WOULD LAUNCH ANOTHER APPEAL OF THE REFUSAL OF THE APPLICATION AND CONSOLIDATE IT WITH THE PREVIOUS APPEAL.
MATTHEW VAN DONGEN / Osprey News Network
Local News - Friday, October 13, 2006
TREATMENT SYSTEM WILL TAKE YEARS
SEWAGE WILL LIKELY CONTINUE LEAKING INTO WAINFLEET'S GROUNDWATER FOR SEVERAL YEARS BEFORE A COSTLY TREATMENT SYSTEM CAN BE INSTALLED.
WAINFLEET AND NIAGARA REGION RECENTLY RECEIVED PROVINCIAL APPROVAL FOR A PLAN TO TREAT SEWAGE FROM 1,200 HOMES ALONG THE LAKE ERIE SHORELINE BY INSTALLING WATER AND WASTE PIPELINES FROM NEARBY PORT COLBORNE.
OLD SEPTIC BEDS ARE LEAKING BACTERIA INTO THE GROUNDWATER, PROMPTING NIAGARA'S HEALTH DEPARTMENT TO ISSUE A BOIL-WATER ADVISORY.
MANY RESIDENTS OPPOSE THE PROPOSED SOLUTION, WHICH WOULD COST AN ESTIMATED $65 MILLION.
ON WEDNESDAY, NIAGARA REGIONAL COUNCILLORS LEARNED STAFF WILL SPEND ABOUT SIX MONTHS EVALUATING ALTERNATIVE TECHNOLOGIES THAT COULD MAKE THE PROCESS CHEAPER.
IT WON'T MAKE IT FASTER, HOWEVER.
COUNCILLORS AT A PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE MEETING VOTED TO ALLOW STAFF TO CREATE AN EXPRESSION OF INTEREST PROCESS FOR COMPANIES PITCHING ADJUSTMENTS OR CHANGES TO THE PLAN.
ST. CATHARINES REGIONAL COUN. BRUCE TIMMS ASKED FOR A TIMELINE "TO HAVE A SOLUTION IN THE GROUND."
EVEN IF A NEW AND IMPROVED PLAN IS AGREED UPON, DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION WILL TAKE YEARS, SAID REGIONAL WATER AND WASTEWATER DIRECTOR CHADO BRCIC.
"I WOULD SAY A YEAR FOR DESIGN AND APPROVALS AND AT LEAST ANOTHER YEAR FOR CONSTRUCTION ON THE FIRST TWO STAGES," SAID BRCIC.
THAT MEANS WAINFLEET WILL LIKELY REMAIN UNDER A BOIL WATER ADVISORY FOR THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE, SAID THE TOWNSHIP'S MAYOR GORD HARRY.
TIMMS SAID COUNCILLORS NEED TO DISCUSS WHETHER THAT'S ENOUGH.
BRCIC SAID STAFF PLAN TO ESTABLISH AN EXPERT PANEL AND SOLICIT EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST IN NOVEMBER.
A RECOMMENDATION ON ALTERNATIVE TECHNOLOGIES WOULD BE MADE TO COUNCIL IN MARCH.
FORMER LAKESHORE CAMP LAND MEETING SCHEDULED;
SET FOR 6 P.M. TONIGHT IN WAINFLEET
LOCAL NEWS - WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2006 @ 09:00
A ST. CATHARINES-BASED DEVELOPER'S PLAN TO CREATE A "FLAGSHIP" WATERFRONT DEVELOPMENT FOR WAINFLEET WON'T EXCLUDE THE COMMUNITY THAT HAS ENJOYED THE BEACH FOR GENERATIONS.
NORM ROCKWELL, WHOSE COMPANY LAKEWOOD BEACH PROPERTIES LTD. RECENTLY PURCHASED THE FORMER EASTER SEALS CAMP AT 17L65 LAKESHORE RD., PLANS TO BUILD A FREEHOLD CONDOMINIUM DEVELOPMENT ON THE PROPERTY.
THE PROJECT WILL INCLUDE ABOUT 80 SINGLE-FAMILY HOMES ON COMMONLY-OWNED PROPERTY, AS WELL AS A MUNICIPAL PARK ON 10 OF THE PROPERTY'S MORE THAN 20 HECTARES (50 ACRES).
WAINFLEET CLERK AND PLANNER MIKE BENNER SAID THE PARKLAND DEDICATION, WHICH INCLUDES 150 METRE (500 FEET) OF BEACH, ALONG WITH AN AREA THAT'S HOME TO ENVIRONMENTAL SENSITIVE WILDLIFE LIKE FOWLER'S TOADS, WAS A GENEROUS OFFER BY ROCKWELL.
"UNDER THE PLANNING ACT, THE DEVELOPER ONLY NEEDED TO GIVE US FIVE PER CENT. THAT WOULD BE 2.5 ACRES," BENNER SAID.
"HE GAVE US 10 ACRES, AND HE'S BUILDING IT.
HE'S PUTTING IN THE PARKING AND THE WASHROOMS AND THAT KIND OF THING."
ROCKWELL SAID ONE REASON FOR BUILDING THE PARK IS TO BENEFIT RESIDENTS OF THE NEW DEVELOPMENT AS WELL AS THE PEOPLE OF WAINFLEET. ENVIRONMENTAL PRESERVATION WAS ANOTHER MOTIVATION, HE SAID.
"IT'S GIVING SOMETHING THAT IS GOING TO BE THERE FOREVER," HE TOLD THE TRIBUNE. "AND THE RARE SPECIES THAT ARE THERE ARE GOING TO BE ABLE TO SURVIVE ... WE'LL GIVE THEM THE BASIS FOR SURVIVAL ANYWAY." ROCKWELL'S PLANS WILL BE DISCUSSED AT A PUBLIC INFORMATION MEETING FROM 6 P.M. TO 9 TONIGHT AT THE FIRE COMMUNITY HALL, LOCATED BEHIND THE WAINFLEET PUBLIC LIBRARY.
REPRESENTATIVES OF LAKEWOOD BEACH PROPERTIES LTD., INCLUDING ARCHITECTS, PLANNERS AND ENGINEERS, WILL PROVIDE AN OUTLINE OF THE PLANS FOR THE PROPERTY WHILE ANSWERING QUESTIONS AND GIVING AREA RESIDENTS AN OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE THEIR SAY.
ALTHOUGH 500 FEET OF THE BEACH WILL BE DESIGNATED AS PART OF THE PARK, ROCKWELL SAID THE ENTIRE 700-METRE (2,300-FOOT) LENGTH OF THE BEACH WILL BE PUBLICLY ACCESSIBLE.
"THE CONDOMINIUM CORPORATION IS GOING TO RETAIN OWNERSHIP, BUT IT'S GOING TO PROVIDE ACCESS TO PEOPLE," ROCKWELL SAID.
"AND THE REASON FOR THAT IS SO WE CAN CONTROL CARS ON THE BEACH. WE'LL MAKE SURE THAT DOESN'T HAPPEN, ALONG WITH THE MUNICIPALITY OF WAINFLEET."
ROCKWELL CALLED THE DEVELOPMENT "A FLAGSHIP FOR WAINFLEET," DESIGNED BY TORONTO ARCHITECT MICHAEL KIRKLAND.
KIRKLAND "HAS COME UP WITH A PLAN THAT REALLY COMPLEMENTS THE ENVIRONMENT, COMPLEMENTS THE TOWN OF WAINFLEET AND GIVES SOMETHING TO THE PEOPLE WHO ARE GOING TO LIVE THERE," ROCKWELL SAID.
ONE HURDLE THE DEVELOPER FACED WHEN DESIGNING THE SUBDIVISION WAS THE RESTRICTION PUT IN PLACE BY NIAGARA'S PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT OVER CONCERNS ABOUT WELL WATER QUALITY IN WAINFLEET'S LAKE SHORE.
TO OVERCOME THAT HURDLE, ROCKWELL PLANS TO BUILD A PRIVATE WATER TREATMENT SYSTEM FOR RESIDENTS OF THE DEVELOPMENT.
IF THE PROPOSED MUNICIPAL WATER AND SEWER LINES LINKING WAINFLEET'S LAKE SHORE WITH A WATER TREATMENT PLANT IN PORT COLBORNE ARE EVENTUALLY BUILT, ROCKWELL SAID THEY'LL CONNECT THEIR DEVELOPMENT TO THE MUNICIPAL SYSTEM.
WHILE THE BID BY LAKEWOOD BEACH PROPERTIES LTD. WON THE PROPERTY, OTHER ORGANIZATIONS ALSO MADE OFFERS TO PURCHASE THE LAND.
NIAGARA PENINSULA CONSERVATION AUTHORITY MANAGER ANDY BURT SAID HIS ORGANIZATION OFFERED $2.5 MILLION TO PURCHASE THE PROPERTY FOR USE AS A "PASSIVE DAY USE CONSERVATION AREA," SIMILAR TO THE MORGAN'S POINT PARK NEARBY.
THE EASTER SEALS SOCIETY, WHICH RAN THE CAMP FOR PHYSICALLY DISABLED CHILDREN AT LAKEWOOD CAMP FOR MORE THAN 50 YEARS, LISTED THE PARK FOR SALE LATE LAST YEAR TO HELP COVER THE COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH RUNNING MERRYWOOD, A CAMP NEAR SMITHS FALLS; AND WOODEDEN, WEST OF LONDON.
PLANS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE FORMER LAKEWOOD CAMP LAND
CONTINUE TO GET THE COLD SHOULDER
ALLAN BENNER
LOCAL NEWS - THURSDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2006
ONLY MINUTES AFTER DEVELOPER NORM ROCKWELL AND ARCHITECT MIKE KIRKLAND FINISHED A BRIEF PRESENTATION ON THE FUTURE OF THE FORMER LAKEWOOD EASTER SEALS CAMP, A PETITION WAS CIRCULATED OPPOSING THE DEVELOPMENT.
ABOUT 100 PEOPLE GATHERED FOR THE PUBLIC MEETING, WEDNESDAY AT THE FIRE COMMUNITY HALL, TO DISCUSS THE DEVELOPER'S PLANS TO TRANSFORM THE 50.1-ACRE PARCEL OF LAND INTO A "FREEHOLD CONDOMINIUM DEVELOPMENT."
WHILE 500 FEET OF THE BEACH WILL BE INCLUDED IN A 10-ACRE NATURAL PARK - WHICH WILL ALSO HELP PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENTALLY-THREATENED FOWLER'S TOAD - ITS ENTIRE 2,300-FOOT LENGTH WILL REMAIN PUBLICLY ACCESSIBLE. ROCKWELL PLANS TO GRANT AN EASEMENT TO THE TOWNSHIP TO ENSURE THE BEACH REMAINS PUBLICLY ACCESSIBLE IN PERPETUITY.
KIRKLAND SAID THE ATMOSPHERE OF THE PUBLIC BEACH WILL BE ENHANCED BY KEEPING THE NEARLY 70 HOMES THEY'RE PLANNING TO BUILD AWAY FROM THE BEACH. AT THE SAME TIME, HE SAID, THEY'LL ENSURE EACH OF THOSE HOMES HAS VIEWS OF THE WATERFRONT. AN ADDITIONAL 13 HOMES ARE PLANNED FOR LAKESHORE ROAD.
KIRKLAND DESCRIBED THE PROPOSED BUILDINGS AS MODEST, FITTING IN WELL WITH THE SURROUNDING NEIGHBOURHOOD.
"THEY'RE NOT A BUNCH OF GRANDIOSE MASONRY AND STONE VILLAS IN THE COUNTRYSIDE," HE SAID.
THE PROJECT WILL ALSO INCLUDE ITS OWN PRIVATE WATER AND SEWER PURIFICATION SYSTEM, WHICH WILL EVENTUALLY BE DECOMMISSIONED IF THE NIAGARA REGION'S PLANS TO INSTALL MUNICIPAL SERVICES IN THE LAKE SHORE AREA BECOME A REALITY.
JEFF BOTT, WHOSE HOME ABUTS THE DEFUNCT CAMPGROUND FOR PHYSICALLY DISABLED CHILDREN, CIRCULATED THE PETITION OPPOSING THE DEVELOPMENT. FOR BOTT AND MANY PEOPLE AT THE MEETING, THE FACT THAT THE EASTER SEAL SOCIETY SOLD THE CAMPGROUND IN THE FIRST PLACE REMAINS A SORE POINT.
"THEY CAN PUT A MAN ON THE MOON BUT THEY CAN'T RUN A CRIPPLED CHILDREN'S CAMP - COME ON," BOTT SAID.
EARL SIBBALD WAS AMONG THE FIRST TO SIGN BOTT'S PETITION.
HE SAID AREA RESIDENTS HAVE CONTRIBUTED MORE THAN $50,000 IN DONATIONS TOWARDS THE EASTER SEALS CAMP IN THE LAST THREE YEARS AND HE REMAINS ANGRY THAT THE EASTER SEALS SOCIETY SOLD THE CAMPGROUND. ROCKWELL ADDRESSED THE REASON FOR THE PROPERTY SALE DURING HIS PRESENTATION. HE SAID THE DEMAND FOR THE CAMPING IS DIMINISHING, WHILE THE COSTS ARE RISING. THE FUNDS FROM THE SALE OF LAKEWOOD AND TWO OTHER CAMPGROUNDS HAVE HELPED RENOVATE THE TWO REMAINING EASTER SEALS CAMPS NEAR LONDON AND SMITHS FALLS.
HE LATER TOLD THE TRIBUNE CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS LIKE EASTER SEALS ARE IN STIFF COMPETITION FOR "EVERY DOLLAR."
"THESE PEOPLE WHO ARE AGAINST IT, IF THEY WENT TO LONDON AND OTTAWA AND SAW THE FACILITIES AND THEIR IMPROVEMENTS THERE, THEY WOULD BE PLEASED WITH WHAT EASTER SEALS IS DOING."
TERRY PRACCHIA, WHO LIVES A FEW HUNDRED FEET FROM THE PARK, ADDED HIS NAME TO THE PETITION FOR ANOTHER REASON - "TRANQUILITY."
"I THINK THE PROJECT STANDS FOR EVERYTHING WAINFLEET IS NOT STANDING FOR," HE SAID.
"WE WANT TO LEAVE THINGS NATURAL ... I WANT NOTHING TO DO WITH IT," HE SAID. "I WILL DO EVERYTHING IN MY POWER TO MAKE SURE NOTHING GETS DEVELOPED."
ALTHOUGH THE DEVELOPMENT ALSO PROVIDES PUBLIC ACCESS TO THE BEACH, THAT WASN'T ENOUGH TO SWAY PRACCHIA.
"I HAVE PUBLIC ACCESS NOW," HE SAID.
"I BELIEVE THEY'RE RUINING THE TRAJECTORY OF WAINFLEET. I DIDN'T MOVE HERE TO LIVE IN A SMALL CITY. BOTTOM LINE IS, YOU MOVE TO WAINFLEET FOR THE TRANQUILITY. YOU MOVE TO WAINFLEET FOR COUNTRY LIVING. I DON'T WANT TO LIVE IN PORT DALHOUSIE."
DETAILS OF THE DEVELOPMENT ARE STILL TO BE WORKED OUT.
ROCKWELL SAID ONE CONCERN RAISED DURING THE MEETING WAS THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR CLEANING UP THE BEACH. HE HOPES TO WORK OUT A JOINT VENTURE WITH THE TOWN TO ADDRESS THAT ISSUE.
THE DETAILED PLANS FOR THE HOMES AND OTHER ASPECTS OF THE DEVELOPMENT, WILL ALSO BE DETERMINED ONCE THE PLANS RECEIVE APPROVAL "AND WE GET PERMISSION TO PROCEED," KIRKLAND SAID.
WAINFLEET MAYOR GORD HARRY, WHO IS ALSO CHAIRMAN OF THE NIAGARA PENINSULA CONSERVATION AUTHORITY'S BOARD OF DIRECTORS, WILL RESERVE HIS OPINION FOR WHEN THE PROPOSAL IS PRESENTED TO TOWNSHIP COUNCIL FOR APPROVAL.
HE DID, HOWEVER, EXPRESS SOME DISAPPOINTMENT THAT THE OFFERS MADE BY THE NPCA TO BUY THE LAND FAILED.
WAINFLEET RESIDENT PLEASED WITH MINISTER'S
DECISION ON WATER AND SEWER ISSUE
The leader of a citizens group opposed to the construction of a pipeline in Wainfleet has found some consolation in the project's recent approval by the province.
Betty Konc, Wainfleet Water and Sewer Committee chairwoman, is grateful Environment Minister Laurel Broten imposed a slew of conditions that must be met before the pricey pipeline becomes a reality.
This despite Broten not agreeing to the committee's requests for a second environmental assessment.
"I'm not happy with the fact the minister (Laurel Broten) approved it, but the conditions soften the blow," Konc said.
Among the 15 conditions outlined in a letter from Broten to Niagara region last week are the stipulations that the region and Township of Wainfleet must prepare a detailed cost evaluation and sharing plan for the pipeline that comes with a $61.5-million price tag.
The cost of the proposed water and waste water line to and from Port Colborne has been a contentious issue for residents in the 1,200 homes expected to tap into it.
Residents, who have been living with a boil water advisory since April, have been told they may need to chip in as much as $30,000 per household pending other sources of funding.
The region and township have been banking on money from the Canada-Ontario Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (COMRIF) to lower residents' costs.
They've applied to the joint federal and provincial program twice and been turned down.
They're currently waiting word on their third pitch for $9 million. But Broten has asked that a variety of pipeline alternatives and their costs be meted out should COMRIF money not come through. The region and township must also study the social impact of the pipeline and examine its effect on natural resources.
Broten also called for archeological assessments should any artifacts be unearthed during construction. Neighbouring aboriginal communities must be told of any findings.
Public consultations are also required throughout the planning and construction phases.
To Konc, the conditions mean the region and township weren't able to fully convince Broten of their plan. The residents lobbying of the minister to deny the project may have also had some effect.
Ministry spokesman John Steele said the amount of public input caused Broten to "very carefully review concerns" and impose the conditions.
"But it's not unusual for us to do that. Most environmental assessments do have conditions initiated by a local group like a conservation authority or residents," Steele said.
Still, Konc hopes the guidelines will slow progress of the pipeline, which is intended to replace a mish-mash of septic systems.
Environmental assessments come with a shelf life of five years.
After that, the municipality can apply for an extension. With funding in limbo, Konc wagered the assessment will do nothing but gather dust.
"I'll take an educated guess that the EA will sit on the shelf for the next five years," she said.
Chado Brcic, the region's water and wastewater director, doubts that.
"This thing is not a problem within the five-year limit.
"Having received this, we're not in a position tomorrow to design this and have a cost and the day after that going to construct it. What this tells us is there's a lot of work and preparatory work we have to follow up on," Brcic said.
"The reason these key conditions have been stated is because they now accept that there is a project and a proposal to which the conditions can be referenced and done. The pipeline has been taken as an acceptable and proper solution by the minister and she, in her letter, seems to agree this is the best answer."
WAINFLEET WATER AND SEWER COMMITTEE
(WWSC) FLYER DELIVERED THIS WEEK
This is your opportunity to cast your vote and count your self in. Without your vote you have no right to complain. If you have never voted, this is the year to vote. It is extremely important that all the Lakeshore votes. It is possible that we could have a split vote, we could end up with someone who has no experience or someone who will be eaten up by the Region. Or we could end up with the same old same old. Someone on council who can think for themselves would be a breath of fresh air. If you need a ride to the polls please call Betty or Helen and arrangements will be made to take you there.
There will be a candidate debate that the Chamber of Commerce will be hosting November 7th at the fire hall in the village at 7pm.
WWSC is supporting ALBERT GUILER for MAYOR. We feel that he has the best credentials, he has worked and helped us immensely. We have followed his advice and received good results. Albert knows that there is a better solution to our issue that we face here on the Lakeshore. There are other issues affecting Wainfleet as a whole, which also need to be taken care of. We are asking you the residents to vote for him as our Mayor. We have an opportunity to change this council. If more than any other year we need someone with experience and the respect of the Regional staff to be able to work with the Region.
WWSC will be sponsoring a meet and greet with ALBERT GUILER at the Lions Hall , 12166 Lakeshore Rd. on Tues , October 17th from 7 pm to 9 pm. Please come, have a coffee and chat with Albert.
If you are a Canadian Citizen, over 18 years old and own property or rent full time in Wainfleet you can vote in this election. If you will be away for the election there are two advance polls that you can cast your vote. November 4th 10 am to 5pm at the township hall or November 8th 10am to 8 pm at the fire hall in village.
If you own property in Wainfleet and are Canadian Citizen you can have another Wainfleet resident vote for you if you will be away by using the proxy form. The proxy form can be picked up at the city hall where you live or the town hall here in Wainfleet, fill out the form with your information send form to the resident who will place your vote. The resident will bring this form to the town clerk before the election here in Wainfleet who then fills out the rest of the form and they will be give a copy to take with them so that they can vote for you. The Wainfleet resident may cast one proxy vote only. Call township office for more details.
The Environmental Assessment (EA) is approved, with 5 conditions. Those conditions are 1) Financial Review Cost Valuation and Sharing plan 2) Social Impact Assessment 3) Natural Resources Impact 4) Archaeological Assessment 5) Public Consultation
The sewer and water project is now phased. It could take 10 years to finish this project. There are 5 phases to the project but the phase boundaries have changed, what was Phase 1& 2 are now under the umbrella of Phase 1. Phase 1 boundaries run from Bessy Road all of Bellview Beach Road this includes Morgan Point. Phase 2 is from Bellview Beach Road to just east of Walnut Hill Road. Phase 3 is from west of Walnut Hill to approx. Side Road 24. Phase 4 is from approx. Side Road 24 to the end of the Lowbanks townline. Phase 5 is from Bessy Road to Port Colborne townline. If you are confused imagine what Regional councilors think, this project changes almost daily!
The Region did a presentation to our town council telling them why they should apply for round three of COMRIF. The region would like the COMRIF application to suggest that there are 710 lots with buildings in Phase 1 and that there is a future possibility of building 500 new homes/cottages.
The WWSC with the help of Albert Guiler counted from the assessment roll along with lot maps and found only 590 homes/cottages, we asked our town clerk for the number of empty lots that could be built on. There are only 22 empty lots left in Phase 1 that could be developed. No one can explain where the 500 possible building lots are. They are hoping by putting the potential of 500 growth, COMRIF funding will be obtained as this is one of the areas where COMRIF has said they fail to get funding for. Without any COMRIF funding the region has stated this project is not financially viable.
The township has applied for 9.6 million this time for the COMRIF intake, which is over 10% of the remaining total COMRIF fund for only Phase 1 of the project. The other phases will have to wait for other sources of funding if any become available. Please write to the COMRIF funding and give your objections to why we as citizens don’t approve of the application.
Write letters to: COMRIF JOINT SECRETARIAT, Attention Martin Zablocki Federal Co_Chair , Christine Dukelow, Provincial Co-Chair - 1 Stone Road West 4 NW, Guelph ON N1G 4Y2 also send copies to the Office of the Honourable Leona Dombrowsky, 77 Grenville st. 11th floor , Toronto ON M5S 1B3 and finally to Office of the Honourable Tony Clement, Brook Claxton Building, 70 Columbine Drive, Tunney’s Pasture 16th Floor Ottawa ON. K1A 0K9
We are still in a boil water advisory - your well water should be tested monthly. Water treatment systems should be installed on all wells regardless of what kind of well you have. If your well water runs through any tap it needs treatment. Public health department has said water that you brush your teeth with, shower in, if not treated it could still make you ill. Hence the need for water treatment systems, also you need to know how to properly maintain your water treatment system. Note: Water softeners are not water treatment. Filters need to be changed quarterly at minimum and lights at least once a year. Without water testing being done regularly you will not know if your water treatment is operating at optimum.
Water testing samples are still to be taken to the Port Colborne City hall, Monday to Thursday from 8:30 to 4:30. WWSC has asked the Mayor of Wainfleet and Health department within the first week of the change from the hospital, to have the water testing drop off location be changed to someplace with more convenient hours for those of us that work or have a cottage. So far no change! Please call the Mayor and the Health department about a change of location. You would think that they would want us to test our water and that they would make it easier so that we could test the water.
Now that the EA is approved we are now hoping that the Region will now look at alternatives since
Zenon made a presentation at the Regional council meeting. Their pitch was they can do this project for 40% less than what the Region could do with large pipe and do it with smaller pipe and more environmentally friendly. Their pitch was only for sewers but they could also do water. There have been other companies that have gone to the Region with other less expensive plans and now maybe the Region will consider them. They did not have all the information that they needed to do proper pricing. There are still a lot of questions, answers and research that needs to be done. This plan does not cover the homes between where the sewer project ends on all side roads approx. 600 feet from Lakeshore to the Railroad tracks. These homes are not included in any project and will continue to be in a boil water advisory until the township and region decide what is best. You folks are in LIMBO.
Betty has done a full presentation to the Region about the FIX REPAIR AND REPLACE PLAN. THEY HAVE ALL THE DETAILS ON HOW THIS PLAN WILL WORK FOR THE WHOLE AREA AFFECTED. Another presentation was also done to rebuttal the information given by Public Works and Planning department to regional council, which we proved that their numbers were incorrect. Some regional councilors are starting to ask some very good questions about this project.
WWSC thank all residents for all the support you have given us, we will continue to keep working for you. The fight isn’t over yet !!
Betty Konc 905 834 1143 or Helen Hoskin 905 899 1803 and committee members
Mayor Gord Harry
PHONE: (905) 899-2625
They are listening and know we aren't going away!
Here's hoping for some changes to the problems .
