LOCAL NEWS
PROPELLING WAINFLEET INTO A GREENER FUTURE
Five wind turbines could propel Wainfleet into a greener future in two years.
Wainfleet Mayor Gord Harry provided an update on the regional project during Tuesday's last council meeting of this term.
The turbines will stand 100 meters high and the propellers will have a wingspan of 82 metres. The five turbines are expected to produce 10 megawatts by converting wind kinetic energy into mechanical energy which will tie into the grid.
Harry said as long as the province gives the $22 million project the green light, construction should begin in 2 years. Harry said the turbines will "benefit tax payers of the whole region."
The agreement was reached between St. Catharines based Rankin Construction and the Niagara Region on Nov 9. The turbines will be located in the far western end of Wainfleet, close to the Haldimand County boundary. They will be one kilometre back from Lake Erie.
The location in Wainfleet was chosen after two years of extensive wind monitoring revealed Wainfleet had one of the best wind regimes in the region.
"The Lake Erie shoreline is the predominant area mainly because of the prevailing winds," said Ian Neville, commissioner of public works for the region of Niagara.
Neville said the turbines produce green, renewable energy.
LOCAL NEWS
MAYOR'S CHAIN PASSED IN WAINFLEET;
GORD HARRY SAYS GOODBYE TO WAINFLEET COUNCIL SWITCH
THE MAYOR'S CHAIN WAS PASSED ON TO WAINFLEET'S FIRST FEMALE MAYOR DURING LAST NIGHT'S COUNCIL MEETING.
STAFF AND ALDERMAN SAID THEIR PARTING WORDS TO MAYOR GORD HARRY AND ALD. PATRICK ROBSON.
THE MAYOR'S CHAIN WAS THEN BESTOWED UPON MAYOR-ELECT BARBARA HENDERSON AT THE END OF THE COUNCIL MEETING.
"IT'S BEEN A GOOD GO," SAID HARRY. "I WANTED ONE MORE TERM BUT IT'S TIME TO RETIRE."
HARRY SAID HE DID NOT REGRET ANY OF THE DECISIONS HE MADE OVER HIS LAST TWO TERMS AS MAYOR, MAKING REFERENCE TO HIS SUPPORT FOR THE WATER AND SEWER PIPELINE.
"I CAN'T STRESS ENOUGH HOW MUCH IT WAS A TEAM EFFORT," HARRY SAID OF THE TOWNSHIP'S MANY ACCOMPLISHMENTS OVER THE YEARS.
"I FEEL HAPPY AND PLEASED WITH WHAT I HAVE ACCOMPLISHED."
HENDERSON SAID HER TOP PRIORITY AS MAYOR WILL BE TO LOOK INTO ALTERNATIVE SOLUTIONS TO THE PROPOSED PIPELINE. "I EXPECT IT WILL TAKE THE BETTER PART OF THE NEXT TERM," SHE SAID.
"I'M HONOURED TO BE THE FIRST FEMALE MAYOR," HENDERSON SAID.
"I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO STEPPING UP. MY TERM ON COUNCIL WAS A GOOD EXPERIENCE."
SHE SAID SHE LOOKS FORWARD TO WORKING WITH THE NEW COUNCIL WHICH WILL SEE NEWLY ELECTED ALD. RON KRAMER AND TED HESSELS JOINING INCUMBENTS RUDY WARKENTIN AND EVAN MAIN.
SHE ADDED SHE WILL BE A STRONG VOICE FOR WAINFLEET AS A WHOLE.
AFTER HARRY RETIRED IN 1999 HE WAS ELECTED TO OFFICE IN 2000 AND WAS ACCLAIMED IN 2003.
HE PLANS TO TRAVEL TO HIS COTTAGE UP NORTH AND SPEND TIME WITH HIS SEVEN GRAND CHILDREN.
HARRY IS THE CURRENT CHAIRMAN OF THE NIAGARA PENINSULA CONSERVATION AUTHORITY AND SAID HE HOPES TO STAY ON THE BOARD IF HENDERSON CHOOSES TO FORGO HER POSITION.
"BARB WILL DO A GOOD JOB (AS MAYOR)," HARRY SAID.
ROBSON CHOSE NOT TO RUN FOR COUNCIL FOR SEVERAL REASONS.
HE SAID HE WAS "QUITE PLEASED" WITH HIS THREE TERMS ON COUNCIL AND SAID HE ALWAYS HAS THE OPTION TO RETURN TO POLITICS.
LOCAL NEWS , NOVEMBER 27, 2006
ELECT REGIONAL CHAIR, SAYS MPP TIM HUDAK
TIM HUDAK HOPES THEY'LL NEVER MAKE THAT DECISION AGAIN.
THE CONSERVATIVE ERIE-LINCOLN MPP INTRODUCED A PROVINCIAL BILL LAST WEEK THAT WOULD, IF PASSED, SEE NIAGARA'S REGIONAL CHAIR ELECTED BY VOTERS INSTEAD OF COUNCILLORS.
"I THINK IT'S THE DEMOCRATIC OPTION. IT'S A MANDATE DIRECTLY FROM THE TAXPAYERS WHO FOOT THE BILL," HUDAK SAID.
"I ALSO THINK A DIRECT VOTE WOULD STRENGTHEN THE CHAIR'S ABILITY TO GET A BETTER DEAL FROM THE PROVINCE."
CHAIRS ARE DIRECTLY ELECTED IN HALTON AND WATERLOO.
BY CONTRAST, THEY'RE APPOINTED IN PEEL, DURHAM AND YORK.
NIAGARA REGION CHAIRMAN PETER PARTINGTON SAID IT'S UP TO THE PROVINCE TO DECIDE IF THE CHAIR SHOULD BE ELECTED.
"I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT SYSTEM IS BETTER," HE SAID.
LONGTIME WATERLOO REGIONAL CHAIR KEN SEILING CALLED IT "AN ACCOUNTABILITY ISSUE."
"IF YOUR CHAIR IS MOSTLY A POLITICAL BROKER, INDIRECT ELECTIONS ARE FINE," HE SAID.
"BUT IN LEADERSHIP ROLE, FOR ME, I THINK I NEED A MANDATE FROM VOTERS TO MOVE THE AGENDA AHEAD."
GARY CARR, THE NEW CHAIR-ELECT IN HALTON, SAID AN ELECTION CAMPAIGN FOR THE POSITION ALSO MAKES REGIONAL ISSUES "FRONT AND CENTRE IN THE ELECTION."
"IF YOUR REGIONAL CHAIR HAS TO WAIT ON THE SIDELINES UNTIL AFTER THE ELECTION, I THINK THAT'S A HUGE OPPORTUNITY MISSED," HE SAID.
THIS WILL BE THE SECOND ATTEMPT BY HUDAK TO GET THE BILL PASSED. HE TRIED IN 2003, BUT THE BILL DIDN'T EARN GOVERNMENT ATTENTION.
"I'LL NEED THE SUPPORT OF LOCAL POLITICIANS AND TAXPAYERS TO MAKE IT HAPPEN," HUDAK SAID.
"THEY'LL HAVE TO PUSH FOR IT."
FORMER CHAIR DEBBIE ZIMMERMAN SAID SHE WOULD SUPPORT A REVIEW OF THE PROCESS FOR ELECTING A CHAIR.
"I'M NOT AVERSE TO LOOKING AT IT," SAID THE GRIMSBY REGIONAL COUNCILLOR, WHO IS MULLING ANOTHER RUN AT THE BIG SEAT.
ZIMMERMAN SAID THE REGION STUDIED, BUT DIDN'T PURSUE, THE IDEA OF CHANGING THE CHAIR'S ELECTION PROCESS IN 2002.
SHE LIKES THE IDEA OF GIVING VOTERS A GREATER SAY IN WHO LEADS THE REGION.
BUT ZIMMERMAN ADDED SHE FINDS THE PROSPECT OF CAMPAIGNING ACROSS 12 MUNICIPALITIES DAUNTING.
SHE ALSO QUESTIONED HUDAK'S MOTIVATION FOR PUSHING THE ISSUE, ADDING SHE DIDN'T WANT PARTY POLITICS TO INTERFERE WITH MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS.
"WHY IS HE BRINGING THIS UP NOW?" SHE ASKED.
HUDAK SAID HE'S RESPONDING TO CONSTITUENTS WHO SAY THEY WANT A MORE RESPONSIVE REGIONAL GOVERNMENT.
ST. CATHARINES REGIONAL COUN. JUDY CASSELMAN SAID SHE MAY SUPPORT THE BILL.
"IT'S IMPORTANT TO ELECT A CHAIR ON MERIT," SAID CASSELMAN, WHO SAID SHE'S RECEIVED E-MAILS FROM VOTERS CONCERNED ABOUT HOW COUNCILLORS PICK THE CHAIR.
AT THE SAME TIME, CASSELMAN SAID A REGIONAL CHAIR'S RACE OVER SUCH A LARGE GEOGRAPHIC AREA WOULD BE TOUGH - AND PROBABLY EXPENSIVE.
CARR, A FORMER CONSERVATIVE MPP AND LIBERAL MP IN THE HALTON AREA, SAID HE BENEFITED FROM NAME RECOGNITION DURING HIS REGIONAL CHAIR'S RACE - BUT HE DIDN'T FEEL PARTY POLITICS PLAYED A ROLE.
THE CAMPAIGN CAN BE EXPENSIVE, HE SAID, BUT HE MANAGED TO KEEP HIS COSTS BELOW $20,000.
CRISS-CROSSING HALTON WAS HARDER ON THE BODY THAN THE POCKETBOOK, HE SAID.
"I LOST 18 POUNDS," CARR SAID WITH A LAUGH. "I'M BACK DOWN TO HOCKEY WEIGHT."
SWITCH FORT ERIE TO SEPTIC SYSTEMS
We in Wainfleet have septic systems which most of us have kept in good repair at our own expense over the years, for our own benefit and safety.
We are being accused of polluting Lake Erie with our "ageing, failing" septic systems.
Meanwhile, in an article in Monday's Osprey publication, The Tribune, in an article entitled, "Region dumped sewage into creek; Dumping prevents backups into homes,"John Robbins reports in part that "Last week, Osprey News revealed the town's long-standing practice of pumping sewage into a small creek that runs into Lake Erie near Waverly Beach to prevent sewage from backing up into the basements of homes in the town's Crescent Park neighbourhood.
"In 2005, the town dumped a total 8,405 cubic metres of sewage into the creek to relieve pressure caused by too much stormwater entering the sanitary sewer system following periods of heavy rains or rapid snow melt.
"The same year, the region discharged at least 46,000 cubic metres of raw or partially treated sewage into the Niagara River at several locations, including the Catherine Street and Lakeshore Road pumping stations and the Anger Avenue waste water treatment plant, according to figures provided by the region. It's a volume roughly equivalent to 7.7 million flushes of an average household toilet."
Doing a little math here, that's the equivalent of each of the 1,400 Wainfleet Lakefront households flushing their toilets 5,500 times per house in a year, or 15 times per house per day, directly into Lake Erie.
Imagine us doing that!
Meanwhile, lakefront residents are careful not to flush unless absolutely necessary.
The effluent goes into septic tanks and weeping beds which break down the effluent (via anaerobic action), and not into the lake.
And yet we are the ones being accused, by the Region and by the Health Unit, of polluting Lake Erie!
The regional government further contends that the only solution to our "water woes" out here in Wainfleet is to install water mains, sewers and pumping stations to send our sewage to Port Colborne for treatment at their already overloaded sewage treatment facility.
The Tribune article adds, "In 2005, there were 276 sewage overflow incidents in Niagara, according to a report by the Heavy Construction Association of Regional Niagara.
The report, which was compiled from ministry of the environment records, contains no data on discharge volumes."
In the light of the above, I think the quality of the water of Lake Erie would be much better protected if the Town of Fort Erie were forced to go back to septic systems instead of sewers which spew thousands of cubic metres of raw sewage yearly into the lake and the Niagara River. Installing sewers in Wainfleet will only compound these overflow problems.
Andr‚ G. Germain
Wainfleet
LOCAL NEWS November 23, 2006
A new Niagara Region endeavour to turn human waste into an agricultural additive is receiving accolades for involving the private sector in the project.
At the Canadian Council of Public-Private Partnerships annual awards gala Monday in Toronto, Niagara Region won the Award of Merit for Infrastructure, for its new biosolids facility.
Following a comprehensive request for proposal process, the municipality formed a public-private partnership with Niagara Biosolids.
A state-of-the-art facility is currently being built at the Walker Bros. landfill in Thorold. Expected to be fully operational next year, the facility will process half of Niagara's annual biosolids production.
The final product is a soil conditioner/fertilizer that can be used by the agricultural community as a soil additive.
NIAGARA REGION HAS PRACTICED LIQUID LAND APPLICATION OF BIOSOLIDS FOR MORE THAN 30 YEARS. BUT MANY FACTORS ARE LEADING TO THE NEED FOR CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT AND DIVERSIFICATION OF BIOSOLIDS MANAGEMENT WITHIN NIAGARA, INCLUDING INTRODUCTION OF NEW PROVINCIAL LEGISLATION, ADVERSE WEATHER TRENDS AND PUBLIC PERCEPTION.
ALLAN BENNER NOVEMBER 20, 2006
OPERATE WITH WIND AND SOLAR POWER GENERATION IN THE FUTURE
WAINFLEET'S MAYOR-ELECT BARB HENDERSON WANTS TO DEVELOP A SOLUTION TO THE WATER/SEWAGE PROBLEM ALONG THE TOWNSHIP'S LAKESHORE.
FOUR YEARS FROM NOW, BARB HENDERSON IS HOPING TO SEE A TOWNSHIP THAT'S A MODEL FOR THE REST OF CANADA.
WAINFLEET'S MAYOR-ELECT HOPES TO SEE A COMMUNITY THAT HAS CONQUERED ITS PROBLEMS WITH CONTAMINATED WELL WATER ALONG THE LAKESHORE.
IN DOING SO, SHE WANTS TO DEVELOP A SOLUTION "THAT CAN BE USED IN OTHER COMMUNITIES AROUND THE GREAT LAKES AND IN NORTHERN ONTARIO WHERE THERE ARE PROBLEM AREAS AS WELL."
SHE HOPES TO SEE A COMMUNITY THAT HAS ALLOWED LIMITED RESIDENTIAL GROWTH IN A FEW KEY AREAS, WHILE MAINTAINING ITS RURAL ATMOSPHERE.
SHE ALSO HOPES TO SEE A MORE ENVIRONMENTALLY-FRIENDLY COMMUNITY, WITH WIND MILLS AND SOLAR PANELS GENERATING POWER FOR THE TOWNSHIP'S RESIDENTS.
IT'S AN OPTIMISTIC VIEW OF THE FUTURE, BUT ONE SHE FEELS CONFIDENT THE TOWNSHIP CAN ACHIEVE IF IT WORKS TOGETHER.
HER FIRST PRIORITY IS FINDING A WORKABLE SOLUTION TO THE WATER WOES IN THE COMMUNITY.
"I THINK IT'S EXTREMELY NECESSARY THAT WE GET THE PEOPLE INVOLVED IN THAT PROJECT," SHE SAID.
ALTHOUGH THE PIPELINE PROPOSED BY THE REGION IS A "TRIED AND TRUE SOLUTION," SHE SAID EVEN THAT SYSTEM IS NOT WITHOUT ITS COMPLICATIONS SUCH AS THE POTENTIAL OF SEWER BACKUPS, NOT TO MENTION THE EXCESSIVE COSTS INVOLVED.
"BUT I BELIEVE THAT THERE ARE ALTERNATIVE SOLUTIONS OUT THERE, AND NOW THAT AN ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT ON THE PROPOSAL HAS BEEN COMPLETED, SHE SAID THE NIAGARA REGION HAS AGREED TO LOOK AT THOSE ALTERNATIVE.
"I WANT TO FOLLOW UP ON THAT," SHE SAID.
"I KNOW THAT THE RESIDENTS ARE REALLY STRONGLY IN FAVOUR OF FIXING THEIR OWN SYSTEMS, AND I THINK THAT COMES WITH THE RURAL COUNTRY PEOPLE THAT WE ARE."
HOWEVER, SOME OF THE COTTAGE LOTS ALONG THE LAKESHORE DON'T HAVE THE PROPERTY TO ACCOMMODATE A FULL SEPTIC BED, "AND THE REGION DOES NOT WANT HOLDING TANKS."
ANOTHER ALTERNATIVE IS THE SAME SYSTEM INCLUDED AS PART OF THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT OF THE FORMER EASTER SEALS CAMP NEAR BURNABY ROAD. IT'S A CLOSED WATER TREATMENT SYSTEM THAT HAS PROVEN ITS EFFECTIVENESS AROUND THE WORLD IN AREAS WHERE THERE HASN'T BEEN A LOT OF ACCESS TO WATER.
"I REALLY LIKE THE SOUNDS OF THAT ONE," SHE SAID. "WHAT I'VE SEEN OF IT, I WAS REALLY IMPRESSED. I THINK THAT WARRANTS MORE FOLLOWING UP ON. I THINK IT HAS A LOT OF PROMISE."
THE BOIL WATER ADVISORY, ISSUED BY THE REGION'S PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT FOR WAINFLEET PROPERTIES FROM THE RAILWAY TRACKS SOUTH TO LAKESHORE ROAD, WON'T BE LIFTED UNTIL THE WATER AND SEWER ISSUE IS RESOLVED, HENDERSON SAID.
PROPOSED SOLUTIONS TO THE CONTAMINATED WELL WATER PROBLEMS, HOWEVER, DON'T CURRENTLY EXTEND AS FAR NORTH AS THE RAILWAY TRACKS. AND FOR THOSE PROPERTY OWNERS, THE FUTURE IS UNCERTAIN.
"IT'S KIND OF A GRAY AREA," SHE SAID - AND ONE THE TOWNSHIP WILL NEED CLARIFICATION FROM THE PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT ON.
"THAT ADVISORY COULD BE THERE FOR A LONG LONG TIME," SHE WARNED.
DESPITE THE PROBLEMS, NEW DEVELOPMENT ALONG THE LAKESHORE IS ALLOWED.
THE PROBLEM IS, A DEVELOPER WOULD HAVE TO PAY ABOUT $20,000 TO BUILD A SEPTIC BED. IF WATER AND SEWER LINES ARE EVENTUALLY INSTALLED, THEY WOULD THEN HAVE TO ABANDON THE SEPTIC BEDS AND CONNECT THE MUNICIPAL SYSTEM.
FOR NOW, SHE SAID THEY'RE WARNING THE DEVELOPERS ABOUT THAT.
"IT'S A REAL DETERRENT."
NEVERTHELESS, THERE ARE PLANS FOR DEVELOPMENT.
BUT WAINFLEET WILL NEVER BECOME AN URBAN CENTRE - AT LEAST NOT IN THE NEAR FUTURE.
"I THINK WE'RE GOING TO HAVE SOME SMALL MODERATE GROWTH, PREFERABLY WITHIN THE HAMLETS. THE LAMBERT ROAD AREA IS ONE POSSIBILITY."
PLANS FOR THE FORMER EASTER SEALS CAMP IS ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF LIMITED GROWTH. THE PROPOSAL FOR THAT DEVELOPMENT WILL BE AMONG THE FIRST CONSIDERED BY THE NEW COUNCIL WHEN IT MEETS IN EARLY DECEMBER.
SHE SAID THE PROJECT HAS A LOT OF POTENTIAL FOR THE COMMUNITY, ALTHOUGH IT HAS ALSO GARNERED OPPOSITION FROM SOME NEIGHBOURS.
"I KNOW THE RESIDENTS ARE CONCERNED BECAUSE OF THE DENSITY. WE'RE TALKING 81 UNITS AND I BELIEVE THAT MOST OF IT IS TOWNHOUSES, AND 13 ESTATE HOMES," SHE SAID.
THE REGIONAL GOVERNMENT IS CONTINUING TO CONSIDER THE DEVELOPMENT OF WINDMILL GENERATION IN WAINFLEET.
THAT'S SOMETHING HENDERSON SUPPORTS, BUT SHE DOESN'T WANT TO STOP THERE.
"I'D LIKE TO PUT WAINFLEET ON THE MAP AS EVEN A GREEN INNOVATIVE SOLUTION. I'D LIKE TO SEE WIND TOWERS AND SOME WIND POWER GENERATION," SHE SAID. "I WOULD LIKE EVEN SOLAR POWER."
SHE SAID THE ARENA HAS A LARGE ENOUGH ROOF TO PROVIDE SOLAR POWER TO THE VILLAGE FOR THE MUNICIPAL BUILDINGS.
"I THINK THAT'S SOMETHING WE COULD BE PURSUING AS WELL."
WHILE HELPING THE ENVIRONMENT, IN THE LONG RUN SHE SAID IT WOULD ALSO SAVE MONEY ON UTILITY BILLS.
"WE NEED TO LOOK AT COST CUTTING MEASURES HERE IN WAINFLEET BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE A LARGE TAX BASE."
SHE'D ALSO LIKE TO SEE MORE ROADS BEING PAVED THROUGHOUT THE TOWNSHIP, AND, IN THE LONG TERM, SHE'D LIKE TO SEE SOME BRIDGES REPAIRED.
"I DON'T EXPECT TO SEE ALL THAT IN FOUR YEARS, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO SET THE GROUND WORK FOR THOSE SORTS OF THINGS."
Valerie Johnson Nov 17, 2006
FRESH DIRECTION IN LEADERSHIP
TWO NEW ALDERMEN JOIN COUNCIL
BARBARA HENDERSON WILL BE CHANGING CHAIRS IN COUNCIL CHAMBERS AS WAINFLEET VOTERS CALLED FOR CHANGE.
HENDERSON HAS SERVED AS AN ALDERMAN FOR THE PAST THREE YEARS AND SWEPT THE POLLS 1,123 VOTES EQUALING MORE THAN 40 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL.
"I AM VERY EXCITED, VERY PLEASED WITH THE RESULTS," HENDERSON SAID. "I WAS SURPRISED AT HOW THE NUMBERS FELL."
FORMER TOWN CLERK AL GUILER PLACED SECOND WITH 840 VOTES, INCUMBENT GORD HARRY HAD 535 VOTES AND RANDY CHEYNOWSKI RECEIVED 166 VOTES.
HENDERSON SAID SHE THINKS VOTERS LOOKING FOR "FRESH DIRECTION" TIPPED THE SCALES IN HER FAVOR .
"I THINK GENERALLY PEOPLE WERE WANTING A CHANGE IN LEADERSHIP. I THINK THE LAKESHORE (WATER AND SEWER) ISSUE PLAYED A PART," SHE SAID.
THE WATER AND SEWER ISSUE IS SOMETHING HENDERSON IS KEEN TO TACKLE WHEN SHE GETS TO THE REGION.
"THAT'S SOMETHING I WANT TO LOOK AT MORE CLOSELY," SHE SAID, EXPLAINING SHE HOPES TO WORK WITH BOTH WAINFLEET RESIDENTS AND THE REGION TO FIND THE BEST SOLUTION.
"I WANT TO LOOK AT ALTERNATIVES (TO THE BIG PIPE) OR WHETHER IT'S A PROBLEM THE RESIDENTS CAN FIX," SHE SAID.
WHILE INCUMBENT GORD HARRY SAID HENDERSON WAS A GOOD ALDERMAN AND SHE'LL MAKE A GOOD MAYOR, HE'S NOT SURE SHE'LL CHANGE WHAT THE REGION PLANS.
HE STANDS BY THE WORK BOTH WAINFLEET AND REGIONAL COUNCILS DID TO ADDRESS THE WATER AND SEWER ISSUE.
"WE BROUGHT A PROBLEM FORWARD THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN LOOKED AT 50 YEARS AGO," HE SAID, ADDING HE'S DOUBTFUL NEW LEADERSHIP WILL CHANGE THE OUTCOME. "THE REGION LOOKED AT ALL THE ALTERNATIVES. BOTH COUNCIL AND THE REGION HAVE SAID IT HAS TO BE AFFORDABLE. THAT PROJECT WILL GO WHEN THE FUNDING COMES THROUGH."
"IT WILL TAKE A WHILE FOR BARB TO GET USED TO THE REGION, BUT SHE'LL DO ALRIGHT," HE SAID.
HARRY SAID HE'S DISAPPOINTED HE DIDN'T WIN ANOTHER TERM IN OFFICE. "I WANTED ONE MORE TERM TO FINISH SOME OF THE THINGS I STARTED," HE SAID.
THOSE PROJECTS INCLUDE THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE FORMER LAKEWOOD CAMP SITE. HARRY SAID HE'S EXCITED ABOUT THE WORK THAT HAS BEEN ON THE PLANS SO FAR, WHICH INCLUDES 11 ACRES OF THE PROPERTY BEING TURNED OVER TO THE TOWNSHIP.
HARRY, WHO SERVED AS ALDERMAN FOR 12 YEARS BEFORE TAKING THE MAYOR'S SEAT IN 2000, SAID THE PREVIOUS MAYOR, STAN PETTIT, KEPT TAXES LOW BUT LET THE TOWNSHIP FALL BEHIND. PETTIT WAS IN OFFICE FOR 27 YEARS, AND HARRY SAID ROADS AND INFRASTRUCTURE WERE IN DISREPAIR AND THE TOWNSHIP NEEDED NEW VEHICLES.
"I WAS TIRED AND I WANTED TO SEE SOMETHING DONE IN WAINFLEET," HE SAID. "WE MOVED FORWARD WITH A LOT OF THINGS. I DON'T THINK THE PEOPLE OF WAINFLEET KNEW ALL THE THINGS WE DID DO."
DESPITE HIS DISAPPOINTMENT, HARRY ISN'T DWELLING ON THE LOSS.
"LIFE GOES ON. I'VE GOT SEVEN GRANDCHILDREN AND I'VE GOT A PLACE UP NORTH," HE SAID. "I'LL KEEP BUSY."
GUILER HAS THE SAME OUTLOOK AND SAID HE WAS PLEASED WITH THE NUMBER OF VOTES HE RECEIVED.
"LOCAL GOVERNMENT WAS ALIVE AND WELL IN WAINFLEET," HE SAID.
WHEN ASKED IF HE WOULD RUN FOR OFFICE AGAIN IN FOUR YEARS, HE REPLIED, "WHO KNOWS. I'LL LOOK AT MY OPTIONS THEN."
IN ADDITION TO A NEW MAYOR, THE TOWNSHIP WILL ALSO HAVE TWO NEW ALDERMEN. TED HESSELS AND RON KRAMER WILL JOIN INCUMBENTS EVAN MAIN AND RUDY WARKENTIN AROUND THE COUNCIL TABLE.
HUDAK DEFENDS CHOICE TO BACK REGIONAL CANDIDATE
LINCOLN - ERIE-LINCOLN MPP TIM HUDAK SAYS HE HAS NO REGRETS ABOUT SUPPORTING A REGIONAL COUNCILLOR CANDIDATE IN MONDAY'S MUNICIPAL ELECTION.
HUDAK PUT HIS SUPPORT BEHIND CANDIDATE MARK BYLSMA. THIS WAS BYLSMA'S SECOND RUN FOR THE REGIONAL COUNCILLOR SEAT. HE BEAT OUT JOHN BALD, A MEMBER OF THE PAST TOWN COUNCIL, BY 23 VOTES.
"I'M A CITIZEN JUST LIKE ANYONE ELSE," SAID HUDAK. "I URGED HIM TO RUN AND I BELIEVE HE'S A VERY STRONG CANDIDATE."
ON MONDAY NIGHT BOTH BALD AND FELLOW TOWN COUNCILLOR AND CANDIDATE CARLA CARLSON EXPRESSED CONCERNS ABOUT PARTISAN ACTIVITY IN MUNICIPAL POLITICS IN SEPARATE INTERVIEWS.
HUDAK SAID HE DIDN'T THINK HIS SUPPORT WOULD CAUSE BYLSMA TO VOTE ALONG PARTISAN LINES AT REGIONAL COUNCIL.
"LINCOLN GETS A RAW DEAL AT REGIONAL COUNCIL," HE SAID. "I ENCOURAGE STRONG PEOPLE TO RUN FOR OFFICE."
AS FAR AS BALD AND CARLSON'S CONCERNS, HUDAK SAID "ELECTIONS ARE EMOTIONAL TIMES".
HUDAK ADDED THAT SEVERAL MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATURE HAVE PUBLICLY BACKED CANDIDATES IN MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS. FOR EXAMPLE JUDY MARSALES, MPP, ENDORSED DAVE SHUTTLEWORTH AND ANDREA HORWATH, MPP, ENDORSED SCOTT DUVALL, HAMILTON WARD 7.
HUDAK CONFIRMED THAT HE HAD DONE "VOICE DROPS" (RECORDED ENDORSEMENTS) FOR BYLSMA, WHICH HIS CAMPAIGN TEAM WAS FREE TO USE AS THEY WISHED.
"WHEN I BACK SOMEONE, I BACK THEM," HE SAID.
WAINFLEET WILL FACE SOME TREMENDOUS PRESSURES IN THE YEARS AHEAD.
THE ISSUES THE RURAL COMMUNITY WILL FACE RANGE FROM THE ONGOING EFFORTS TO ADD MUNICIPAL SERVICES TO THE TOWNSHIP'S LAKESHORE AREA TO PRESSURES TO ALLOW NEW DEVELOPMENT IN THE COMMUNITY TO SUPPORT CONTINUING GROWTH ACROSS THE REGION.
"THERE ARE AN AWFUL LOT OF ISSUES, LIKE I HAVE NEVER SEEN BEFORE," BARB HENDERSON, 51, TOLD THE TRIBUNE, TUESDAY - A DAY AFTER BRINGING IN 1,123 VOTES IN THE MUNICIPAL ELECTION.
HENDERSON, THE FIRST WOMAN TO EVER WEAR WAINFLEET'S CHAIN OF OFFICE, WILL SPEND THE NEXT FOUR YEARS HELPING HER COMMUNITY OVERCOME THOSE CHALLENGES. DESPITE THE WORK AHEAD, THERE'S NO WHERE ELSE HENDERSON - AND THE FOUR MEN WHO WILL MAKE UP THE TOWNSHIP'S COUNCIL - WOULD RATHER BE.
"THERE'S NO QUESTION ABOUT THAT, WE HAVE SOME PRETTY SERIOUS ISSUES TO DEAL WITH," SAID RUDY WARKENTIN, 69, WHO WAS RE-ELECTED FOR A SECOND TERM AS AN ALDERMAN WITH 1,395 VOTES.
"IT SEEMS LIKE WE'VE BEEN LEFT ALONE FOR SO LONG," ADDED EVAN MAIN, 67.
"AND NOW EVERYONE'S INTERESTED IN A PIECE OF US."
BUT THAT'S WHY MAIN, WHO WAS RE-ELECTED WITH 1,521 VOTES, THREW HIS HAT IN THE RING TO BEGIN WITH.
"I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO THE CHALLENGE," HE SAID.
MIKE BENNER, THE TOWN'S PLANNER AND CLERK, SAID THE PRESSURES ON THE TOWNSHIP ARE ALREADY BECOMING APPARENT.
"WE'RE GETTING A LOT OF PRESSURE TO PLACE MORE LAND IN A DEVELOPMENT ZONE," HE SAID.
WHILE THE TOWNSHIP IS UNDER PRESSURE FROM DEVELOPERS, HENDERSON SAID COUNCIL IS ALSO UNDER PRESSURE FROM RESIDENTS WHO DON'T WANT TO LOSE THE COMMUNITY'S RURAL ATMOSPHERE.
"THERE'S A REALLY STRONG DESIRE FROM RESIDENTS THAT THEY WANT TO MAINTAIN THEIR RURAL HERITAGE," SHE SAID.
"THEY WANT IT TO STAY COUNTRY AND THEY FEEL VERY STRONGLY ABOUT THAT."
"PEOPLE CAME TO WAINFLEET FOR A CERTAIN REASON AND WHEN YOU GET A BIG DEVELOPER IN, THAT KIND OF WORRIES ME A LITTLE," SAID TED HESSELS, 45, WHO WON HIS FIRST ELECTION MONDAY NIGHT WITH 1,338 VOTES.
"I LOOK AT BINBROOK AND SEE WHAT'S HAPPENING THERE. I DON'T THINK WE WANT THAT IN WAINFLEET," HE ADDED, REFERRING NEW DEVELOPMENT IN THE COMMUNITY NEAR STONEY CREEK.
THE PROTECTION OF AGRICULTURAL LANDS IS ALSO SOMETHING THAT'S IMPORTANT TO HENDERSON. HER HUSBAND'S FAMILY HAS RUN A 58-HECTARE FARM IN THE COMMUNITY FOR FIVE GENERATIONS.
THAT FARM HAS BEEN HOME TO BARB AND PHILLIP SINCE THEY WERE MARRIED 33 YEARS AGO.
THEY RAISED THEIR THREE GROWN CHILDREN ON THAT FARM, RYAN, 30, CHERYL, 27, AND KAILA, 15.
AND THEY'RE STILL WORKING THE LAND BRINGING IN CASH CROPS OF SOYBEANS, CORN AND WHEAT.
"WE'RE TRYING TO PROTECT OUR AGRICULTURAL RESOURCES, OUR ENVIRONMENTAL AND HERITAGE RESOURCES," BENNER SAID.
"WE'RE TRYING TO STRIKE A BALANCE TO PROTECT WHAT'S IMPORTANT TO WAINFLEET, AT THE SAME TIME ALLOWING SOME LIMITED DEVELOPMENT IN APPROPRIATE AREAS LIKE OUR HAMLETS."
HENDERSON SAID SHE IS ALSO LOOKING FORWARD TO WORKING WITH STAFF.
"I SAID WHEN I FILED MY PAPERS TO RUN, THAT IF I GOT IN IT WAS GOING TO BE VERY MUCH A TEAM EFFORT.
"THEY HAVE KNOWLEDGE THAT I DIDN'T HAVE AND WE WERE GOING TO WORK TOGETHER," SHE SAID. "THEY'RE GOING TO BE THERE FOR ME."
WITH THREE TERMS OVER THE PAST NINE YEARS, MAIN HAS THE MOST EXPERIENCE ON TOWNSHIP COUNCIL.
HIS COLLEAGUES WILL ALSO BE LOOKING TO THE VETERAN ALDERMAN FOR GUIDANCE.
"I THINK WE'LL HAVE A GOOD COUNCIL, AND EVERYBODY'S THERE TO LEARN THE ROLES," HE SAID.
A FEW DAYS BEFORE THE ELECTION, RON KRAMER, 61, ASKED WITH A LAUGH, "'OH NO, WHAT AM I GETTING MYSELF INTO?'"
NOW THAT HE WAS VOTED ONTO TOWNSHIP COUNCIL WITH 991 VOTES, THERE'S NO TURNING BACK.
KRAMER, FOR ONE, UNDERSTANDS THE AMOUNT OF EDUCATION IN STORE FOR HIM.
"I'VE GOT A LEARNING EXPERIENCE COMING, A VERY BIG LEARNING EXPERIENCE," KRAMER SAID.
"I DON'T THINK I'LL HAVE ANY TROUBLE ACCOMPLISHING IT, BUT IT'S GOING TO TAKE A LITTLE TIME TO GET USED TO EVERYTHING."
IN ADDITION TO THE CHALLENGES OF LEARNING THEIR ROLES ON TOWNSHIP COUNCIL, BENNER SAID THE ISSUES AHEAD FOR WAINFLEET ARE NEW TO THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY.
REGARDLESS OF HOW MUCH EXPERIENCE STAFF OR COUNCILLORS HAVE, THEY WILL ALL HAVE A LOT TO LEARN IN THE YEARS AHEAD.
"IT'S GOING TO BE A BIG LEARNING CURVE FOR ALL OF US," BENNER SAID. "I THINK WE'RE UP TO THE CHALLENGE," HENDERSON SAID.
"I KNOW THE ISSUES ARE GOING TO BE DIFFICULT, BUT I HOPE THAT WE WILL COME OUT WITH SOME POSITIVE SOLUTIONS AND WE'LL BE ABLE TO DEAL WITH PROBLEMS THAT ARE BEFORE US IN A MANNER WHICH IS GOING TO BE RESOLVED SUCCESSFULLY," WARKENTIN ADDED.
KAESHA FORAND November 17, 2006
Wainfleet considers 10-year growth plan
Development in Wainfleet is taking a new direction thanks to the township's Northeast Secondary Plan.
"We want to protect agricultural resources and our environmental resources while recognizing there is existing residential development," township clerk and planner Mike Benner said.
"Given the development now, it tends to open up limited areas for new development."
Council recognized the potential for new development and commissioned a secondary plan in 2005. The plan takes a forward-looking approach to development pressures placed on the northeast area in a manner that doesn't impact environmental and agricultural areas.
The draft plan was done in conjunction with existing regional, provincial and local planning policies.
It considers the protection of woodlands, wetlands and a Residential Land Needs Study looking at potential areas of growth.
THE PLAN WAS GUIDED BY THE REGION OF NIAGARA'S SMART GROWTH PRINCIPLES, TO PROVIDE AN INTELLIGENT GROWTH PLAN THAT BALANCES ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL NEEDS.
The secondary plan was written with help from Wainfleet residents E. J. DeWaard, Lynne Dorenkamp, Richard Dykstra, Andy Habjan, Frank Memme, Faye Suthons, Mayor-elect Barb Henderson and Ald. Evan Main. "The secondary plan is only as good as input and it will also guide the character of the area in the next 10 years. It's important to get residential stakeholders' feedback because in the end, you want a plan that recognizes their needs and desires," Benner said.
"We are recognizing areas that are not good for agricultural use and protecting agricultural areas by not permitting new non-farm residential development," he said.
THE DRAFT PLAN HAS BEEN CIRCULATED TO THE REGION'S PLANNING DEPARTMENT, WHICH HAS PROVIDED INFORMAL PRELIMINARY COMMENTS.
WAINFLEET RESIDENTS WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO VOICE THEIR OPINIONS ABOUT THE PLAN DURING A PUBLIC OPEN HOUSE IN DECEMBER OR JANUARY.
Wainfleet sees an average annual increase of 24 houses which has started to fragment valuable farm land. In the past, large rural areas were also conflicted with residential and agricultural areas because there are incompatibilities between the two.
Without the plan, residential growth would have continued in a "haphazard fashion."
The township's current plan has a predominant rural designation and the new plan reduces the rural designation by 70 per cent to agricultural designation and the remaining 30 per cent will be estate residential.
The secondary plan recommends the following changes to the current plan:
- Removal of the existing rural and industrial official plan designations;
- Placement of all woodlands and cultural features in an environmental conservation designation;
- Placement of all wetlands, flood plain, slope and river systems within an environmental protection designation;
- Placement of all agricultural areas within an agricultural designation.
A SECONDARY PLAN FOR THE LAKESHORE AREA IS ALSO IN THE DRAFT STAGES AND WILL TIE IN WITH THE NORTHEAST PLAN TO UPDATE THE TOWNSHIP'S OFFICIAL PLAN SCHEDULED FOR 2007.
ONCE THE PLAN HAS BEEN REVIEWED, MODIFICATIONS WILL BE MADE AND A FINAL PLAN WILL BE PRESENTED TO COUNCIL FOR ADOPTION.
ANGUS SCOTT November 15, 2006
Low voter turnout in Welland;
Turnout rose in Wainfleet and Port Colborne, while Pelham stayed substantially the same
OUT-OF-DATE VOTERS' LISTS AND NON-RESIDENT PROPERTY OWNERS HAD A LARGE IMPACT ON TURNOUT DURING THIS YEAR'S MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS IN SOUTH NIAGARA.
THE NUMBER OF VOTERS TURNING OUT IN MUNICIPALITIES IN SOUTH NIAGARA RANGED FROM THE LOW 40S TO THE LOW 50 PER CENT MARK DURING MONDAY'S ELECTION, DESPITE COMPETITIVE, INTERESTING RACES WITH STRONG CANDIDATES.
WELLAND, WITH A LIST OF 40,584 ELIGIBLE VOTERS, SAW 17,199 BALLOTS CAST, 42.38 PER CENT OF THE TOTAL ELIGIBLE.
"I'VE ALWAYS BEEN TOLD WHEN YOU HAVE A HIGH VOTER TURNOUT, YOU CAN EXPECT A CHANGE IN LEADERSHIP," SAID CITY CLERK CRAIG STIRTZINGER, CHIEF RETURNING OFFICER FOR THE CITY.
"CONVERSELY, I'VE BEEN TOLD WHEN THERE'S VOTER SATISFACTION WITH THE CURRENT LEADERSHIP, THERE'S A LOW TURNOUT."
THIS YEAR'S TURNOUT IN WELLAND IS THE LOWEST IN OVER A DECADE. THE 1997 ELECTION CAME CLOSE WHEN 42.5 PER CENT OF ELIGIBLE VOTERS CAST BALLOTS.
THE 2003 TURNOUT WAS 44.8 PER CENT. THE HIGH WATER MARK IN RECENT YEARS WAS 2000 WHEN 55.02 PER CENT OF VOTERS
TURNED OUT, SAID STIRTZINGER.
THE 2000 RACE WAS "HOTLY CONTESTED," SAID STIRTZINGER, EXPLAINING THAT ANOMALOUS ELECTION.
STIRTZINGER SAID VOTER TURNOUT IS NOT NECESSARILY RELATED TO APATHY OR LACK OF INTEREST.
THE MUNICIPAL PROPERTY ASSESSMENT CORP. MPAC) MAINTAINS VOTERS' LISTS FOR MUNICIPAL PURPOSES AND RELIES HEAVILY ON PROPERTY INFORMATION WHEN DRAWING UP THE LIST, SAID STIRTZINGER.
AS A RESULT, MUCH OF THE INFORMATION IS OUT OF DATE AND INACCURATE, HE SAID.
"A LOT OF MOVES ARE NOT PICKED UP, AND EVEN DEATHS ARE NOT ALWAYS PICKED UP," SAID STIRTZINGER.
WHEN MAILERS ARE SENT OUT BY MUNICIPALITIES TO PEOPLE ON THE LIST, MANY OF THEM ARE RETURNED AS NON-DELIVERABLE, HE SAID.
IN A CITY WITH A POPULATION OF JUST OVER 50,000, STIRTZINGER AGREED A VOTERS' LIST OF 40,000 SEEMS HIGH, BUT HE SAID ONE HAS TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE CITY'S AGING POPULATION AND THE FACT 1,700 NON-RESIDENT VOTERS, WHO OWN PROPERTY, ARE ON THE LIST.
THERE CAN ALSO BE DUPLICATE NAMES OF PEOPLE LISTED, SAID STIRTZINGER, PEOPLE WHO OWN MORE THAN ONE PIECE OF PROPERTY. MPAC ISN'T ALWAYS SURE WHAT PROPERTY TO LIST THESE PEOPLE UNDER, SAID STIRTZINGER, AND PUTS THEM IN FOR EACH PROPERTY. IT IS THEN UP TO THE VOTER TO CHOOSE WHERE TO VOTE.
WELLAND MAKES CORRECTIONS TO THE LIST AS THE ELECTION PROCEEDS AND CANDIDATES COME BACK WITH NEWER INFORMATION GLEANED DURING THEIR DOOR-TO-DOOR CANVASSES, SAID STIRTZINGER.
THE DECLINING WELLAND NUMBERS WENT IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION TO MOST OTHER SOUTH NIAGARA MUNICIPALITIES THIS YEAR. WAINFLEET AND PORT COLBORNE TURNOUTS ROSE, WHILE PELHAM STAYED SUBSTANTIALLY THE SAME. IN WAINFLEET 2,664 OF 6,108 ELIGIBLE VOTERS, 44 PER CENT, CAST BALLOTS IN A TIGHT FOUR-WAY RACE FOR MAYOR. THE TURNOUT IS SUBSTANTIALLY HIGHER THAN THE PREVIOUS TWO ELECTIONS, WHICH SAW A 33 PER CENT TURNOUT IN 2003 AND 32 PER CENT IN 2000.
"ON THE WHOLE IT IS UP BUT IT WOULD BE NICE TO SEE MORE," SAID TOWNSHIP CLERK MIKE BENNER.
SEVERAL MAJOR ISSUES HELPED DRIVE THE TURNOUT UPWARDS, SAID BENNER, INCLUDING THE ONGOING DEBATE ABOUT SERVICING THE LAKESHORE AREA.
"IT'S NO SECRET THE TOWNSHIP IS FACING SOME PRETTY LARGE ISSUES," HE SAID.
THE LAKESHORE POLL NUMBERS BEAR OUT BENNER'S ANALYSIS. WITH A LARGE SEASONAL POPULATION, WAINFLEET COTTAGE OWNERS OFTEN DON'T CAST VOTES IN WAINFLEET MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS. THE WATER AND SEWER DEBATE BROUGHT LARGE NUMBERS THIS YEAR.
"OUR LARGEST SEASONAL POPULATION IS OUT AT THE LAKE," SAID BENNER. IN 2003, THE LAKESHORE POLLS TYPICALLY DREW TURNOUTS IN THE 12 TO 27 PER CENT RANGE, HE SAID. THIS YEAR, TURNOUT AT THOSE SAME LAKESHORE POLLS WAS IN THE HIGH 30S AND LOW 40S, SAID BENNER.
"THERE WAS A HUGE DIFFERENCE THERE, SO DEFINITELY THE SHORELINE SERVICING ISSUES HAVE HAD AN EFFECT ON VOTER TURNOUT."
IN PELHAM, VOTER TURNOUT WAS NEARLY IDENTICAL TO TURNOUT IN 2003, SAID TOWN CLERK CHERYL MICLETTE.
WITH 13,313 ELIGIBLE VOTERS, 6,475 CAST BALLOTS, 48.64 PER CENT. THAT NUMBER WILL GO UP AS ADVANCED POLL NUMBERS HAVE YET TO BE ADDED IN, SHE SAID.
THE NUMBERS CAUGHT MICLETTE A LITTLE BY SURPRISE, AS HER INITIAL IMPRESSION FROM ELECTION DAY WAS A STRONGER TURNOUT THAN IN 2003.
"WE USUALLY GET 45 TO 50 PER CENT," SHE SAID. "WE'RE USUALLY PRETTY STEADY, THE NUMBERS DON'T FLUCTUATE A WHOLE LOT."
PORT COLBORNE, WITH 51.7 PER CENT TURNOUT, OR 8,239 OF 16,025 ELIGIBLE VOTERS, HAD THE HIGHEST RESPONSE FROM VOTERS IN SOUTH NIAGARA, A TYPICAL OCCURRENCE SAID CLERK JANET BECKETT.
IN 2003, TURNOUT IN PORT COLBORNE WAS 49 PER CENT AND IN 1997 WAS 52.92 PER CENT. THE ANOMALY FROM A PORT COLBORNE PERSPECTIVE WAS 2000 WHEN 29.4 PER CENT OF THE ELIGIBLE VOTERS TURNED OUT.
BECKETT SAID SHE BELIEVES THAT WAS DUE TO THE FACT SEVERAL RACES SAW ACCLAMATIONS WHICH DROVE VOTER TURNOUT DOWN. THE HIGH MARK FOR TURNOUT IN RECENT ELECTIONS CAME IN 1994 WHEN 61.2 PER CENT OF ELIGIBLE VOTERS CAME OUT FOR WHAT BECKETT DESCRIBED AS A "VERY CONTENTIOUS MAYOR'S RACE."
BECKETT SAID IT APPEARS AS IF TURNOUT HAS BEEN DROPPING SINCE THE EARLY '90S, BUT SHE HAS THE SAME FEELING AS WELLAND'S STIRTZINGER THAT THE VOTERS' LIST IS OUT OF DATE. "IN PORT COLBORNE WE HAVE TENANTS AND THE CHILDREN OF RESIDENTS STILL ON THE LIST AND THOSE PEOPLE ARE ALMOST CERTAINLY NOT GOING TO TURN OUT," SHE SAID. "A LARGE PART OF IT IS THE QUALITY OF THE LIST ITSELF. "
TURNOUT AT PORT COLBORNE'S ADVANCED POLLS WAS "EXTRAORDINARY" THIS YEAR, SAID BECKETT.
PORT COLBORNE'S TRADITIONALLY HIGH VOTER TURNOUT IS EXPLAINED IN PART BY THE SIZE OF ITS OLDER POPULATION, PEOPLE WHO FEEL DEEPLY RESPONSIBLE FOR CARRYING OUT THEIR CIVIC DUTY AND CASTING A VOTE, SAID BECKETT.
"THEY TAKE THEIR VOTING VERY SERIOUSLY," SHE SAID.
They are listening and know we aren't going away!
Here's hoping for some changes to the problems .
