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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2016
Vol. 4 Edition 42
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Rural folks irate over water woes
By Mary Beth Corcoran mary@chathamvoice.com
Residents in North Kent met Oct. 13 to vent their anger at Chatham-Kent council and the environmental tribunal process relating to the North Kent Wind 1 turbine project. More than 150 people packed into a meeting room at Countryview Golf Course to listen to Water Wells First member and activist Kevin Jakubec explain his reasons for exiting the tribunal process recently. He has been trying to bring environmental and health concerns to the province in light of the issues with well water contamination in Dover. Under a banner reading, “Mayor covers up Dover wells,” Jakubec explained his frustration with having to withdraw from the tribunal process earlier this month, given that he was not allowed a 14-day extension to get the results of a toxicity report on the black water from wells in Dover. He attributes that black water to the vibration from the construction and ongoing operation of wind turbines. He is concerned the Kettle Point black shale that is underneath a large area in Dover has heavy metals such as mercury and arsenic as well as radon gas. He added that when the mayor responded to the end of the tribunal process, which the municipality had standing in, Randy Hope quoted the
Mary Beth Corcoran/The Chatham Voice
More than 150 people showed up to learn why Water Wells First member Kevin Jakubec discuss why he pulled out of the environmental tribunal process relating to the North Kent Wind 1 turbine project. Citizens are concerned over possible water quality issues, and believe the municipality isn’t doing enough to act on their behalf.
Golder report from the wind turbine company, using that one document to satisfy him that there were no problems caused by the turbines. The document was never actually presented as evidence as the tribunal process was halted. “I’m really pissed off at Randy Hope and (legal council) John Norton. I’m under a seal not to speak about the proceedings and they jump off on the
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press,” Jakubec said. “What Mayor is presented with a water issue with wells as black as the samples here tonight and doesn’t ask, ‘how many wells are we talking about?’” Jakubec said to the crowd. “I’m calling a spade a spade; he’s covering up what happened in Dover and it’s what will happen with North Kent Wind 1 and Otter Creek.” Neither the mayor nor Dr. David Colby, Cha-
tham-Kent’s medical officer of health, returned phone calls by press time. North Kent Wind 1 (NKW1) is the project currently waiting for permit approval to proceed with the project. In the works is the Otter Creek project north of Wallaceburg that has yet to start the public permit process. A common theme through the evening, with Dover residents bringing in and passing around
samples of their well water with black particles throughout, was anger with Chatham-Kent and a feeling they were disrespected when making deputations to council back in August regarding the North Kent Wind 1 project. Mike deBakker, a member of Water Wells First and resident in the proposed Otter Creek project area, said the residents there are taking note of
the issues in Dover and have huge concerns with the construction of more turbines without investigation and protection for the residents and their wells. Jakubec talked about civil disobedience if Chatham-Kent council doesn’t take steps to investigate the Dover well situation, including withholding taxes and peaceful protest. Continued on page 3
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