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Where does council stand on wind turbines?
Credit: Chris Fell, www.simcoe.com 29 July 2011 ~~
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Translate: FROM English | TO English
I think the time is right for residents of the Municipality of Meaford to be asking their council a simple question: where do you stand on wind turbines coming to our community?
I think it’s a fair question. I think it’s a question that needs to be answered.
Meaford is already faced with one large-scale industrial wind turbine project in Sydenham Township. Last week Greenlife Energy Inc. began advertising a public meeting being held in October about the Minniehill Wind Farm in St. Vincent Township.
That’s two industrial wind turbine projects being proposed in this community and we still have no idea where council stands on this issue. To me, that is a bit disturbing – especially considering what has happened in other communities.
Dalton McGuinty’s draconian Green Energy Act ripped away the planning controls municipalities have over these industrial wind turbines. McGuinty wanted to sideline all local planning control as he desperately tried to create a green utopia in Ontario.
However, other communities have rallied to try and stop the turbines they don’t want invading their rural areas.
The Township of Chatsworth had declared – plain and simple – that it will not issue building permits for these projects. The Municipality of Grey Highlands fought a long fight on behalf of its residents. Grey Highlands pursued every single avenue available to it – including the possibility of a court challenge.
Residents and taxpayers in Chatsworth and Grey Highlands aren’t wondering where their councils stand on the issue.
In Meaford, we’re not so fortunate. At Grey county council Mayor Francis Richardson has consistently voted in favour of wind turbines. Deputy Mayor Harley Greenfield has voted against turbines.
It’s quite fascinating to me that Meaford council has gone out of its way to not take a stand on this issue. Just a couple of months ago council was told that having industrial wind turbines all over our pristine and beautiful countryside would definitely have a negative impact on the community’s efforts to become a tourism destination.
At some point council will have to make a stand. Either it will roll over for McGuinty and the Green Energy Act or council will choose to fight.
I think residents and ratepayers deserve to know which way council is going to go.
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