An Urgent Message From Stop the Stink:
By: Rick Nicols
September 16, 2010
Together by using our votes we can make a significant difference! It is time for change at City Hall!
A few of our members had the opportunity last week to consult with the preeminent environmental Lawyer Mr. David Estrin. His remarks and insight were alarming. We were advised that the City of Pickering still has a strong legal case and we have a reasonable chance and a high probability of success. Our only option in the near future would be a judicial review. Which is another Legal Action against York Region on behalf of the citizens of Pickering. This would be a large expenditure and we are going to review our options and present them to everyone at a later date.
From information printed in the News Advertiser we have learned that the results of the vote in Councils Closed Meeting were that; Jennifer O'Connell, and Bill McLean voted to continue with the legal action against York Region and Mayor Dave Ryan, Doug Dickerson, Rick Johnson and surprisingly Bonnie Littley voted in favour of stopping the legal action and let the City of Pickering staff negotiate a settlement. Mr. David Pickles was absent from this crucial and pivotal vote. No other information from the Closed meeting has been released.
With the municipal election looming only weeks away we have the opportunity to show the Councillors that voted against continuing the legal action, that we need representatives in council that represent their constituents. The facts in the legal action have not changed even with the approval of the environment assessment. We must remember the names of the brave Councillors that understood the issue and unconditional supported the residents of Pickering. We must also do what ever we can to remove the members of Council that neglected, mislead, and abandoned us. Here is a link to help you effectively make a difference. http://www.cityofpickering.com/standard/cityhall/election/index.html We need to make sure we get as many people as possible out to vote in the election October 25th. We need to make our friends and neighbours aware of the circumstances and help them make an educated decision.
We have obtained a copy of the agreement between The Corporation of the City of Pickering vs The Regional Municipality of York. I have attached a copy in two different formats for your convenience. |
This settlement is appalling! The only new item that was not already promised to Pickering is an extra sum of money ($375,000) to fund a staff member from the City of Pickering to monitor the construction. The Item which commits the Region of York to a response time of 1 hour to complaints is not new and had been promised to The City of Pickering on numerous occasions. Response could mean someone has been informed that there has been a complaint. Respond does not mean repair or immediately correct the hazard and shutting down the pipe to mitigate problems will not happen. There are no penalties, for non compliance and it appears that York Region will be self regulated, other then the Ministry of Environment doing there yearly checks. There is nothing in this agreement that insures the residents of Pickering and Durham Region will be protected or compensated for any detrimental effects from the SEC pipe and/or also the Duffin Creek WPCP. The Duffin Creek Water Pollution Control Plant has also been added to this agreement, with The City of Pickering waiving all their Legal rights to any further legal action associated in any way with all items and related components. This settlement appears to favour York Region and does not shield us from danger, immediate or cumulative.
Together by using our votes we can make a significant difference! It is time for change at City Hall!
|
