Clarington has no say on incinerator, says Anderson

Clarington has no say on incinerator, says regional chairman

Wed Sep 12, 2007
By Jennifer Stone (Metroland)

CLARINGTON -- Saying the municipality would not be a willing host to an incinerator proposed by the Regions of Durham and York would have "absolutely no effect whatsoever" on the process, Regional Chairman Roger Anderson told Clarington councillors Monday.

The chairman was one of a number of delegations speaking on the matter during the council meeting.

"It would be nice if we could have a willing host, but it is not essential," said Mr. Anderson. In fact, he said, that East Gwillimbury, the only other municipality with a potential site for the proposed incinerator besides Clarington, has said it won't be a willing host is neither here nor there. The site there remains under consideration, with a decision expected later this month on preferred site.

"It would be pretty easy to sit in front of all these folks ... and say, okay, I'm not going to be a willing host," he said, referring to the audience in council chambers, several of whom were on hand to voice their opposition to the proposed Energy From Waste plant. "Easy to say it now, but I don't know what you're going to say in 2011 (after the Michigan border closes to Ontario trash) because you're not going to have an answer."

There is nothing to the suggestion made by Clarington Councillor Adrian Foster that the Municipality is "Durham's ultimate waste solution," said the chairman. "We deem energy from waste as the ultimate waste solution," he said. But, there are alternatives to incinerating garbage which should be explored, some delegates told Council. Many touted a move toward zero waste, with some form of stabilized landfill until waste can be eliminated.

It's not like incineration will eliminate the need for landfill, said Kerry Meydam. "With the incinerator ... you still have that residual ash, and you still need landfill," she said. It is estimated about 30 per cent of what is sent into the incinerator would remain as bottom ash.

Zero waste, which would entail extending producer responsibility for their spent product. isn't terribly realistic, said others.

"Germany put in one of the most extensive producer responsibility systems ... but after the system was implemented, what they found was that they had huge and growing stockpiles of materials that could not be recycled," said David Climenhage. "I don't think that necessarily a zero-waste solution is something that can happen without many years and many new technologies in place to achieve it."

But, there is a need to look for other solutions, said others, some of whom were clearly disheartened by Mr. Anderson's comments.

"I'm not sure it really makes a difference whether I'm here or not," said Kristin Robinson. "It certainly seems like Mr. Anderson has made it clear my side won't be heard at all.

"I believe we can do better than burning our waste. I believe it is just a band-aid solution."

So, what do our readers think of this? Do you like being brushed off by those who presume to know what is best for all of us (like Anderson, Abernethy and our regional councillors who don't care what we have to say about it)? It is appalling that they will listen to their pro-incinerator/lobbyist/consultants but will not listen to doctors, scientists or residents (or those who are both), and won't bother to read medical journals or opinions of waste experts or even pretend to have any common sense at all?

What do you think about this? We do have the opinion of one Regional Councillor from a press release passed on to me from a group of residents earlier today. He hits the nail right on the head!

Clarington Residents Owed Apology over Remarks
“Regional Chair Anderson must respect taxpayers” says Councillor.

Oshawa—Oshawa Regional Councillor Brian Nicholson is urging Durham Regional Chair Roger Anderson to apologize to Clarington taxpayers for his disrespectful comments at Clarington Municipal Council on Monday, September 10, 2007.

Anderson is reported to have told Clarington Council that “saying the municipality would not be a willing host to an incinerator proposed by the Regions of Durham and York would have "absolutely no effect whatsoever" on the process”.

“I find that comment to be inaccurate, offensive and not helpful to the public consultation process”, says Councillor Nicholson, “We are currently in an Environmental Assessment process, we are holding public meetings in Clarington, and the taxpayers of both the Region and the Municipality are spending hundreds of thousands of dollars doing peer reviews. Why are we spending all this money if the input from Clarington Council and its residents will have “absolutely no effect whatsoever” on the process?”

Nicholson continues, “As a member of the Regional Works Committee, I consider the opinions of the Clarington Council and the taxpayers of Clarington to be vital information in my decision making process. What is it about public comment and public participation that scares the Regional Chair? Is it possible that questions are being asked that he would prefer not be asked?”

Regional Council was asked in 2004, 2005 and 2006 to adopt a policy to add a pre-condition requiring any incineration site to be constructed must be located in a municipality that was a “willing host”. Council, led by Chair Anderson, ruled that any decision on “the requirement to be a willing host” was premature until the site selection process was completed and a host site announced.

“If it is premature to require a willing host prior to site selection, why is not premature to not require a willing host prior to site selection. Once again, we are seeing the rules change by fiat from the Chair rather than by Regional Council.”, claimed Councillor Nicholson. “If Chair Anderson wishes to have Regional Council take a position that states they will place an incinerator in a local municipality whether that municipality is a willing host or not, let him bring that forward to Council. In my opinion, he would have a rude shock if he did.”

This spring, Mayor Jim Abernethy of Clarington apologized to the Regional Chair on behalf of Clarington Council when the Chair was not allowed to speak to Clarington Council. It was said then that not allowing the Chair to speak and offer his views was an insult to the elected office of Regional Chair.

“ If not allowing the Regional Chair speak is an insult, then so is a statement by the Regional Chair that states that the opinions of the Clarington Council and its residents will have “absolutely no effect whatsoever” on the process.”, claims Councillor Nicholson. “If one was wrong, then so is the other. Chair Anderson owes the Clarington Council, and more importantly, the residents of Clarington, Durham residents all, an apology for his comments.”

“The public consultation process must be above reproach, but it is becoming clear from comments such as those made by the Regional Chair, that the process is nothing more than a public relations exercise to limit the political fallout from a decision already made.”, Nicholson concludes.

For further information,

Regional Councillor Brian Nicholson
905-436-5603
bnicholson@oshawa.ca

Comments, anyone? I say Bravo to Councillor Nicholson and to the residents who continue to try to be heard. Pooh Pooh on Chairman Anderson for not even bothering to care.