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519-940-0090 Vol. 37 No. 29
www.citizen.on.ca
Thursday, April 14, 2011
24 Pages (2 Sections)
$1.00 (GST Included)
Highland, quarry opponents came face to face Tuesday By LINDSEY PAPP
recharge system in the Melancthon quarry similar to the one currently operating The controversial quarry successfully in Milton. They application filed last month by believe that water management The Highland Companies led systems, which are common in to both sides of the fight over soil and rock excavations, will the future of 2,316 acres of function properly in this locaMelancthon farmlands coming tion as well. face to face again at the In an open letter to the comHornings Mills Community munity, Highland says no one Hall Tuesday evening. will be affected in any way by The North Dufferin the water management Agricultural and Community plan. The firm will Taskforce (NDACT) and ensure that no water members of the combeyond the property munity opposed to line will be affected the quarry came and that the quarry bearing signage will not have reading ‘Stop the adverse effects. quarry!’ ‘Limestone “We will be dust is death to asthpumping that matics’ and ‘don’t be water out of the hijacked by quarry, to the Highland’ to articuedges of the quaroonnee.. d m e d th wit utt w ithh them late clearly where they ry. We’re going lk oou alk w , s a e x w taxes, stood on the matter. to put that water yoouurr ta h it w y alk inwith Horning Mills saw a back into the WWalk inr calluusstotoddaayy. . o ll Vis turnout of more than it itor ca quarry through m 5mpm p Vis 5 m a 9 0 ay 9 a -399000 vilele ville8pm ; S;aStuard ngneg 9-9411-3 turday rara 200 people at the open what we call aayy, ,OO 51591-94Broad mm- - 8 pm dw aa 9 y w a d 1 a ri 8 house meeting. 181O1pBenroMononddaayy- -FFriday 9 recharge . a sy taxes e Spokespeople for Open M wells,” said .ca e make k w c lo hrb it Highland were present to Gary Hendy, omaxnimeumvreisfund answer any questions that Director of were posed by community Environment members of the issues surwith Genivar Inc., hired by rounding the quarry. respond- Highland. “We’re going to creIn the immediate ed that potatoes are not a ate a sink, a bowl in the quarry, Melancthon area the concerns specialty crop, currently being but on the outside we’re going surrounding the quarry are the province’s fourth-largest to keep the ground water levels numerous. crop, and the Honeywood silt close to or at their natural levLast November, when an loam is found elsewhere in els.” application for a plan amend- Ontario. He stated that predictions of ment seeking specialty crop Another concern brought up what is going to happen with status was filed for the on Tuesday was the water this system would be moniHoneywood silt loam in the resources, with Hornings Mills tored to verify the outcome and proposed quarry area, the loss as near the headwaters of five to adapt to it what the results of good agricultural land came major rivers. to the forefront of the concerns Highland plans on using a • Please turn to page A3 Staff Reporter
surrounding the quarry. “The very simple point is there are only about 10,000 or 15,000 acres of Honeywood silt loam anywhere. It’s important enough to have it’s own soil classification in the Canadian soil register, they own 8000 acres of it, can we as a society afford to lose any of it?” said Carl Cosack, NDACT Vice Chair. Highland spokesperson Michael Daniher
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Photo/DAN PELTON
THE HEADWATERS ARTS FESTIVAL is on a volunteer drive to find those with an interest and passion about all the arts; whether they be dance, film, theatre, music, literary or visual arts. On hand to represent the arts in our region Saturday at the Alton Mill were festival executive director Heidi von der Gathen, reading a book, Hillcrest Private School musician Emma Hooper on the tuba (which Headwaters Arts president Wayne Baguley helped hold up), Ella Tate from Citrus Dance in Orangeville tripping the light fantastic, film and video maker Donovan Romanyk of Bolton and festival volunteer Barbara Matwee catching it on canvas. For more information, or to volunteer, call 519-943-1149.
Survey reveals low morale, discontent in OPS By DAN PELTON Staff Reporter
A complex and thorough survey of the Orangeville Police Service (OPS) has revealed what many have suspected for a long time. Morale in the force is critically low. Released on Tuesday, the 120-page product of the survey conducted by OPS padre Dave Kennedy indicates the force suffers from a lack of confidence in the command structure. As well, there appears to be confusion in the ranks concerning the proper procedures to be followed. An intricate formula was applied to determine the “morale index” within the OPS. The padre wrote in his report that an organization with a healthy morale would score around 75 per cent. The OPS results, however, were just 33.9 per cent. The survey was completed by 64 of the 66 eligible participants in the OPS. Meanwhile, Chief Joe Tomei has expressed his belief that Padre Kennedy’s report, entitled “A Fresh Perspective,” will provide a foundation for healing the rifts in the OPS and allowing the force to move forward. “I specifically asked Padre Kennedy to ask the hard and tough questions,” the chief said in an interview Tuesday. “What I can tell you today is that we have already begun the work that is required to
improve the morale of the service. I am working with the executive (of the Police Association) to put together a working group to address the recommendations.” In his report, Padre Kennedy mentioned that clearly defined policies and procedures, consistently applied without bias or favoritism, “are the bedrock of the organization and without which, the effectiveness of the service will continue to decline. “This reality has created a climate of uncertainty among the officers, who feel that they never know when they are going to be criticized of chastised for the manner in which they have handled a particular call.” An example of the turmoil in this regard is currently suspended OPS Sergeant Curtis Rutt, a seasoned training officer who has faced back-toback suspensions for allegedly failing to conduct police business within the framework of OPS procedures. On March 17, a hearing cleared Sgt. Rutt of any wrongdoing in regards to his actions during a domestic disturbance call in February, 2009. But the previous day he was kept under paid suspension concerning another incident that occurred in April, 2010. Participants in the survey were asked to give their opinions of a number of statements by checking one of four cate-
gories. They were ‘’All the Time’, ‘Usually’, ‘Occasionally’, or ‘Are You Kidding?’ To check the first two was essentially to compliment the force and its procedures, while to check the latter two was to be critical of them. The most damning response came to the statement: “High employee morale is present throughout the organization. It can be felt.” None of the respondents checked ‘All the Time’; just one ‘Usually’, while 16 checked ‘Occasionally’ and 47 ‘Are You Kidding?’ The response more or less echoed that in another survey conducted in December, 2009. Of the respondents to that survey, 88% said morale was low, 10% said it was fair and only 2% said it was high. While acknowledging the results of the earlier mail-in survey, Chief Tomei felt it was potentially inaccurate due to its nature and construct. He also noted that the survey was conducted while prolonged contract negotiations between the Town and the local police association were under way, an issue that could influence the participants’ response. Last October, Chief Tomei and Inspector Mike Robinson approached Padre Kennedy with a proposal for a new one. Despite the depth of the new survey and subsequent report, Padre Kennedy wrote that the morale index is of little true
value until a second “morale audit” is undertaken six months from now to “provide indication of morale trends • Please turn to page A10
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ALPACA AMOUR: Caroline Gregg of Rocaro Alpacas in Georgefield, N.S. snuggled up Bacio, of the farm’s alpaca herd during last weekend’s 2011 Alpaca Ontario Show at the Orangeville Fairgrounds. The Alpaca industry is on the rise with over 200 participants attending the tenth anniversary show, compared to just 47 at the first one.
April 14, 2011
Orangeville Citizen/Free Press and Economist
Highland, quarry opponents came face to face • From page A1
require. “Our expectation is the system shouldn’t change,” he said. “My understanding is the same quality water going back and forth. “ He said that once the quarrying has ended the establishment of financial assurances will continue the long-term maintenance and operation of the water management. As far as the increase in truck traffic is concerned, Mr. Daniher said Highland conducted an independent study that concluded Dufferin Road 124 can accommodate the increased traffic. There has been a conditional sale of the OrangevilleBrampton Railway railway to the Highland Company, and the sale is currently in its due diligence phase with Highland wanting to acquire the former CPR right-of-way to Owen Sound from its present owners, Dufferin and Grey counties. Opponents to the extension say that with a spur to the quarry the increased rail traffic will cause delays in road traffic on top of the additional truck traffic the quarry will require. Highland says it plans to rehabilitate the land over a period of time with a loss of just 1.3% of class 1-3 agricultural soil that cannot be restored.
NDACT and the Citizens Alliance for a Sustainable Environment (CAUSE) do not believe that what Highland wants to do to the land is reversible, which is at the forefront of their argument against the quarry. “Table and application that balances between meeting provincial stated demand for aggregate, respecting the environment and maintaining agriculture is an important part of our business mix,” said Mr. Daniher. “Application reports are all public and subject to thorough review.” He said Highland has no plans to increase the size of the quarry in the future, and does plan to keep blasting to between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday to Saturday except on statutory holidays. Acknowledging this does not help concerns regarding wildlife relocation or death due to blasting, he said it does keep any unnecessary noise and disturbance during regular work hours. There was a police presence to deal with traffic flow and the safety of the people coming and going from the meeting. There were a lot of volunteers from the opposition as well as spokespeople from Highland filling up the Community Hall and the property around it. The turnout demonstrated the concern of community
members in finding answers to their questions. Even as The Highland Companies presented its case for the 2,316-acre quarry and the means of rehabilitation at Horning’s Mills, Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority was continuing its scientific determination of surface and ground water movement across watersheds. NVCA representative Wayne Wilson confirmed Wednesday that the NVCA study goes beyond water and into other impacts, and that at least with respect to water, it is being co-ordinated with Grand River Conservation Authority. At the GRCA, spokesman Dave Schultz said Monday that its hydrogeologist had submitted his report to the NVCA. However, the results of that report were not made available. Mr. Wilson had spoken to Amaranth Council last Wednesday about services provided by NVCA. Inevitably, several councillors questioned him about the Authority’s position on the quarry. He said NVCA staff are taking a totally professional approach to the studies. “The Board might take a position, (but the role of the staff is to present the science),” he responded in part. Water is a critical issue that isn’t about to go away. Either Highland’s conser-
vation and recharge design is effective, or it is not. Either Highland is correct in saying, in effect, the proposed quarry area recharges only the Pine River, or the opponents are correct in portraying it as supplying drinking water to a million people; or maybe the facts are somewhere in between. Garry Hunter, the professional engineer representing quarry opponents, is concerned about the future of water: “Highland only presents its very best operational scenario with a highly engineered perimeter groundwater recirculation system which they undertake can be operated throughout time to perpetuity (my words) and not impact the groundwater flow systems,” he said in an emailed response to questions about his impressions of the technical information presented Tuesday. “Perpetual water management is required because of the natural 165 ft (50 m) water table elevation drop (gradient) across the proposed quarry Site Plan area. “Highland says the quarry is within the surface watershed of the Pine except for a few acres in the Grand River watershed (immaterial). “My conclusion is that the quarry footprint is within the Pine River groundwater catchment which extends westerly
Jones asks minister to extend deadline for quarry briefs Dufferin-Caledon MPP Sylvia Jones has asked the Minister of Natural Resources to extend the deadline for comments on the Highland Companies quarry application. She said the current deadline of Tuesday, April 26, does not give the Township of Melancthon enough time to prepare a comprehensive submission to the Ministry, as the Township found it difficult to assemble a team of experts to assist them with such a large application.
The Township has asked that the deadline be extended for 120 days, to August 26. “This is an issue of great importance not only to the people of Melancthon, but to many residents of the surrounding communities,” said Ms. Jones. “The sheer number of municipalities that have passed or are considering resolutions regarding this matter speaks to importance of this issue.” As of today, all municipalities in Dufferin County have passed resolutions in
support of an extension. The Township of Southgate in Grey County and Clearview Township in Simcoe County have passed similar resolutions. She observed that the Notice of Application for this project has not appeared in the Dundalk Herald, a publication that covers the northern part of Melancthon; which would ensure residents are aware of the commenting period deadline. “If this application is approved, it will be the
largest quarry in Canada,” she said. “The Township of Melancthon deserves to have the additional time to prepare their submission, and to ensure that all residents have proper notification of the quarry application.” During Question Period, the Minister would not commit to an extension, saying “groups or individuals have 45 days, or until April 26, to register concerns or objections to the proposal through the environmental website.”
under the easterly overlapping Grand River surface watershed by about a kilometer. In other words we both agree the quarry footprint is in the Pine River watershed. “In my opinion the direct cause of all the citizen watershed speculation issues is Highlands ongoing strategy of not disclosing the ‘worst case drawdown impact scenario’ of the failure and or non sustainable abandonment of the highly engineered groundwater recirculation system,” Mr. Hunter said. He says that the worst case would be abandonment of the water management system, and accuses Highland of not disclosing a “worst case scenario.” “The engineering solutions must be comprehensive, successful and perpetual to avoid irreversible drawdown impacts. The Applicant has not provided the worst case scenario of quarry abandonment in his groundwater modelling analyses. The Applicant has not provided the long-term costs of operational sustainability. “Highland’s refusal to disclose leaves the door wide open to assumptions about watershed impact extension. Highland is not being transparent and therefore is not trusted. They are authors of their own misery,” Mr. Hunter concludes.
Future Shop CORRECTION NOTICE Please note that the incorrect price was advertised for the Plantronics Explorer 240 Bluetooth® headset (WebID: 10142453) found on page 9 of April 15 flyer. The correct price for this headset is $29.99 save $10 and NOT $0.99, as previously advertised. As well, due to inventory issues, please note that Mortal Kombat: Future Shop Exclusive Steelbook™ for PS3 & Xbox 360 (10164988/10164991) advertised on page 14 of the April 15 flyer will only be available in limited quantities in-store. No rainchecks will be issued as this is a limited edition version of the product. There will be a minimum quantity of 5 units per store in Quebec. Please see a Product Expert in-store for more details. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused our valued customers.
On Saturday the 26th of March, the township of Mono came together to support and help one of their own . . . Shelley Lorraine. It was an evening of hope, support and celebrating life! It would never have been the success that it was if it weren’t for such an amazing group of people who not only agreed to participate but make true to their promises.
Thank You... Mayor Laura Ryan Town of Mono CorporationKim Perryman Insta Plus Printing Orangeville Flowers Lorrie Bakker The Chocolate Shop 4 Seasons Rental Carol Hall – Mono Cliffs Inn Jason Reiner – Mono Cliffs Inn The Globe One 99 Broadway Phil Pearce – The Black Birch/One 99 Hockley Valley Resort Stephanie Biegel– Mono Cliffs Inn Jackie Timmings – Mono Cliffs Inn
Mario Turco – Hockley Valley Resort Keith Timmings – Mono Cliffs Inn Creemore Springs Brewery Wellington Brewery King Brewery Jukebox Jimmy TD Canada Trust The Butcher Shop Brett Jaggard – One 99 Tammy Garland – The Globe Erin O’Brien – Mono Cliffs Inn Chris Carvalho – Mono Cliffs Inn Jamie Pearson – Mono Cliffs Inn The Black Birch Denise Balontine Terry & Barry O’Neill
Jason Cooney – Mono Cliffs Inn Amanda Boland – Mono Cliffs Inn Matthew Beacock – Mono Cliffs Inn Joanna Hughes – Mono Cliffs Inn Mitchell Saxty – Mono Cliffs Inn Jamie & Calvin – The Globe The Bruce Trail Conservancy Claire & Brent Nelson Kelly O’Brien Hannan Mohammed – Hockley Valley Resort Carolyn Ardis – Mono Cliffs Inn The Orangeville Banner The Orangeville Citizen The Coffee House Shazaam Ajib – Mono Cliffs Inn
Volunteers Who Worked So Hard... Danita Cramp Jon & Jan Hunter Anne Jordan
Shelley Harnden Anita Bolan Lorrie Bakker
John and Bob- bartenders Wayne Townsend
To Those Who Made Financial & Auction Donations... Susan & Peter Brown Tweedsmuir Church Choir Judy Bryan Dufferin Highland Bruce Trail Barb & Richard Presunka Donna Holmes Betsy & Torchy Miller Larry’s Small Engines Tony Hopkins William Yokum Remo O’Dorico Tom Kierans & Mary Janiagan Patrick Watson & Caroline Bamford Brad Davidson – Professional Farrier Supply The Flight Deck Stacie & Jason Kordts Mike Robinson Chez Nous Gwenda’s Upholster Pear Van’s Jewelry Harmony Health Foods Rejuvenate Massage Therapy Erskine’s Launch Art of Trader Horn Dufferin Glen Golf Academy David McWhinnie Gallery Gemma Jewelry CID Powerline Torbram Electric Auto Centre Sobey’s David Campbell Yogalave Best Western Trillium Aesthetics Pampered Chef Orangeville Fire Equipment Shoppers Drug Mart Fay & Rob
Vision in The Woods D & D Pools Brad Davidson Wayne Baguley Total Mechanic The Presunka’s Robert & Sharon Adamson Toronto Maple Leafs – Tim Hunter Bill Prout Credit Creek Dental The Toronto Star–Adrian Brijbassi The Toronto Star – Julia Pelish Heather Sheehan Scott Mount Leggett’s Collision Shoeless Joe’s Jennifer DuRocher As We Grow Shoeper Mildred Brazil Hair Zone Acts Fitness Woolwich Dairy Vega Hair Studio Linda Evans Ray’s Bakery F-Stop Harmony Health Naturopathic Clinic Dennis & Maria Beenjees Orangeville Furniture Orangeville Theatre Juliawa MaeNemeth Wine Expert Montana’s Hockley Valley General Store Jane Fellowes Mochaberry Solar Swim Sylvia Jones MPP Photo Film Production Brian & Denise McKay
Orangeville Auto Care The Bulk Barn - Alliston Tanfastic Mississauga Toyota Pia’s Bakery The Hazel Tree Booklore Common Sense Cleaning Herbal One Irene Lowrey Lynnbrook Golf High 5 Athletics Fenn & Co Monty Grieg CAA Car Care Centre Noah Brown’s Bridal Boutique Libby Keller Access Fitness Scented Drawer Toys R Us Babies R Us Burnside & Associates Ideal Supply Habit Achesons The Home Shoppe Pet Valu Spaw Euphoria Canadian Tire Party Safari Creekside Clothing Global Pet Foods Laura Berry Moguls ‘n Motion Terry O’Neill Insta Plus Printing Soulyve Jan Hunter Orangeville Equipment Rental Blockbuster
Our list of thank you’s could fill this entire newspaper . . . donations have been handed on a daily basis. If we missed your name we are very sorry. Don’t think your contribution was any less – it certainly wasn’t. We all came together and we thank you for your kindness, your generosity and for showing us what an amazing community we live in.
Wayne Biegel for The Mono Cliffs Inn and Hazel McGuiness of The Hazel Tree
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