So, our Mayor is puzzled, astonished, surprised over Ajax's decision not to support the Region's plan to push an incinerator on Clarington/Durham Region without clear answers to the many outstanding questions that should have been answered before getting to this point in the process. http://www.newsdurhamregion.com/news/Durham/article/88270
We might use other terminology for the Mayor's confusion and position on this incinerator. How about baffled, befuddled, bewildered, dazed, discombobulated, disconcerted, disorganized, distracted, flummoxed, flustered, fouled up, glassy-eyed, gonzo, misled, mixed up, muddled, nonplussed, perplexed, perturbed, punch-drunk, punchy, screwy, shook up, slaphappy, spaced out, stumped, taken aback, thrown, unglued, unscrewed, unzipped... How about just plain wrong.
What is perplexing to me and to many others is how our elected regional representatives could so easily believe everything they are told by those who have a vested interested in having this incinerator built, without question, yet will not consider information and objections brought forward by:
How can the Mayor continue to say that he has not made up his mind on whether Clarington should support this incinerator or not, all the while promoting it to everyone and every group he comes in contact with? All the while showing promotional videos from proponents, but never, not even once truthfully considering "the other side" of the story? Does he think residents of Clarington are as blind or as undiscerning or myopic as he is? This man is not a leader. He is a follower (of Mr. Anderson and cronies).
I will level this charge today at our two other regional representatives - Charlie Trim and Mary Novak. Both have also continued to say that they haven't made up their minds yet and are waiting for all the information to be in. Well, they have shown their true colours recently and there is no doubt where they stand either. Both are fully in support of this project, even without having all the answers. Even with having hardly any clear-cut answers at all.
There is no technology chosen to date, although Mr. Anderson has repeatedly said it will NOT be plasma arc or the newest tech since it is too expensive. Money before health and safety - is anyone surprised at that? Mass Burn is what is being seriously considered.
You may say, "how do you know?". Ask yourself, how did we know the preferred site would be not only in Clarington, but specifically in Courtice? How could we have known that more than a year ago? How did we know that no other alternatives would be seriously studied or looked at well before they made public that "thermal technology" would be the preferred option? How have we known before the "studies" have even been done, what each step would be?
We knew because it has all been pre-planned, pre-ordained. And Clarington has been the target all along, one reason being our uber-weak political representation. While the local councillors are still not willing to declare us an unwilling host, even though they by now have seen the shortcomings of the studies, the process, the beat-around-the-bush "spin" put on this whole project, the regional councillors have determinedly, unequivocally, and unmistakably supported the Region's "vision" to burn our garbage from the start.
Oh to be blessed with honest, intelligent, open-minded representation such as Ajax has. We can only hope for better choices in 2010, and will actively work toward that goal. That includes the "Elect the Chair" campaign. While we know our Mayor and 2 regional councillors will never support that, we can hope our local councillors come to their senses and push for election of the regional chair, as residents have repeatedly asked them to do.
A question to our Mayor and regional councillors - why is it that you promote the "new" incineration technology, which STILL cannot remove the harmful ultrafine and nanoparticulate from the stack emissions, but continue to talk about the "old" landfill technology, and will not admit that there is new technology in stabilized landfill that collects leachate, prevents it from contaminating our groundwater, can collect the methane gas produced and with technology can safely burn it for energy, and does not pollute the atmosphere the way incineration will? Even the Region's consultants admitted in their brief "alternatives to" study that the greatest impact on the airshed would be from incineration, not from landfill (not even from old-style landfill, which is the only type they "studied").
With all the lip service paid to global warming and climate change, our environmentally non-friendly Region of Durham (proven during the greenbelt debacle) wants to contribute even more through stack emissions to the problem.
And the claims that forest fires contribute more to greenhouse gases than incinerators is disingenuous at best. Naturally occurring forest fires are not remotely related to intentional burning of waste. There are better alternatives but those have not even been considered by this Council or the Region's Consultants. One more chink in the EA armour.
Our elected (and non-elected) representatives should err on the side of caution when it comes to our health. Also when it comes to the financial commitment. Use the Precautionary Principle, which is normally used first and foremost in the scientific community. It has been totally disregarded by not only the Region but by the consultants who are promoting the vision of the Region. Yes, there is a huge and ever widening credibility gap. Especially when questions are asked at the public information sessions and no clear answer is ever given - just a bunch of spin and non-answers. I have not spoken with ONE person who asked a question at a PIC who was satisfied with the answer they received. NOT because it was not the answer they wanted, as suggested by Mr. Cliff Curtis who is Commissioner of Waste... er, Works, but because they didn't get any answer at all. Just spin.
It is depressing to see what is happening to Clarington. It is more than depressing to see people putting their houses on the market already, so convinced are they that this will be pushed through in spite of what the final true answers are. It is a sad state of affairs for Clarington, for the Region of Durham, and for the GTA overall. It is depressing that seeing facilities that look "clean" in Europe seem to be the deciding factor, nevermind all the invisible emissions coming from the stacks; nevermind that their waste stream is different than ours; nevermind that we will not have the best available technology - we will have the most affordable technology. Nevermind that European standards are much higher than Ontario standards for emission control. Nevermind that Ontario has only guidelines, not requirements for emissions, and that while there may be a financial cost for exceeding limits placed upon incinerator facilities, many consider it simply a 'cost of doing business'.
Those who support this project should spend a little time doing some real homework. That includes our elected (and non-elected) representatives. It is more than obvious that our Mayor does not understand the EA process or how it works (or is supposed to work) at all. It is a process for ASKING questions of the proponents, and making sure those answers are received. He seems to object to all the questions being asked by residents and peer reviewers, since our Council is not asking the questions that need to be asked.
Also see Metroland articles and editorials:
Ajax council raises good questions on incinerator
Is Ajax standing up for Clarington’s interests?
Take a stand, Clarington, says incineration opponent
Energy from waste draws new faces
Durham Environment Watch - good source of information for incineration issues and media articles
Watchdog Incinerator Posts - previous posts regarding this incendiary issue
We might use other terminology for the Mayor's confusion and position on this incinerator. How about baffled, befuddled, bewildered, dazed, discombobulated, disconcerted, disorganized, distracted, flummoxed, flustered, fouled up, glassy-eyed, gonzo, misled, mixed up, muddled, nonplussed, perplexed, perturbed, punch-drunk, punchy, screwy, shook up, slaphappy, spaced out, stumped, taken aback, thrown, unglued, unscrewed, unzipped... How about just plain wrong.
What is perplexing to me and to many others is how our elected regional representatives could so easily believe everything they are told by those who have a vested interested in having this incinerator built, without question, yet will not consider information and objections brought forward by:
- residents who have done their homework and presented documented reports, studies, concerns
- 16 Clarington doctors who have signed a petition declaring their health concerns as well as their opposition to this incinerator
- 43 Durham Region doctors who have done the same
- Peer Reviewers hired by the municipality of Clarington, at great expense to us, who have outlined shortcomings and problems with the EA studies to date on this project
How can the Mayor continue to say that he has not made up his mind on whether Clarington should support this incinerator or not, all the while promoting it to everyone and every group he comes in contact with? All the while showing promotional videos from proponents, but never, not even once truthfully considering "the other side" of the story? Does he think residents of Clarington are as blind or as undiscerning or myopic as he is? This man is not a leader. He is a follower (of Mr. Anderson and cronies).
I will level this charge today at our two other regional representatives - Charlie Trim and Mary Novak. Both have also continued to say that they haven't made up their minds yet and are waiting for all the information to be in. Well, they have shown their true colours recently and there is no doubt where they stand either. Both are fully in support of this project, even without having all the answers. Even with having hardly any clear-cut answers at all.
There is no technology chosen to date, although Mr. Anderson has repeatedly said it will NOT be plasma arc or the newest tech since it is too expensive. Money before health and safety - is anyone surprised at that? Mass Burn is what is being seriously considered.
You may say, "how do you know?". Ask yourself, how did we know the preferred site would be not only in Clarington, but specifically in Courtice? How could we have known that more than a year ago? How did we know that no other alternatives would be seriously studied or looked at well before they made public that "thermal technology" would be the preferred option? How have we known before the "studies" have even been done, what each step would be?
We knew because it has all been pre-planned, pre-ordained. And Clarington has been the target all along, one reason being our uber-weak political representation. While the local councillors are still not willing to declare us an unwilling host, even though they by now have seen the shortcomings of the studies, the process, the beat-around-the-bush "spin" put on this whole project, the regional councillors have determinedly, unequivocally, and unmistakably supported the Region's "vision" to burn our garbage from the start.
Oh to be blessed with honest, intelligent, open-minded representation such as Ajax has. We can only hope for better choices in 2010, and will actively work toward that goal. That includes the "Elect the Chair" campaign. While we know our Mayor and 2 regional councillors will never support that, we can hope our local councillors come to their senses and push for election of the regional chair, as residents have repeatedly asked them to do.
A question to our Mayor and regional councillors - why is it that you promote the "new" incineration technology, which STILL cannot remove the harmful ultrafine and nanoparticulate from the stack emissions, but continue to talk about the "old" landfill technology, and will not admit that there is new technology in stabilized landfill that collects leachate, prevents it from contaminating our groundwater, can collect the methane gas produced and with technology can safely burn it for energy, and does not pollute the atmosphere the way incineration will? Even the Region's consultants admitted in their brief "alternatives to" study that the greatest impact on the airshed would be from incineration, not from landfill (not even from old-style landfill, which is the only type they "studied").
With all the lip service paid to global warming and climate change, our environmentally non-friendly Region of Durham (proven during the greenbelt debacle) wants to contribute even more through stack emissions to the problem.
And the claims that forest fires contribute more to greenhouse gases than incinerators is disingenuous at best. Naturally occurring forest fires are not remotely related to intentional burning of waste. There are better alternatives but those have not even been considered by this Council or the Region's Consultants. One more chink in the EA armour.
Our elected (and non-elected) representatives should err on the side of caution when it comes to our health. Also when it comes to the financial commitment. Use the Precautionary Principle, which is normally used first and foremost in the scientific community. It has been totally disregarded by not only the Region but by the consultants who are promoting the vision of the Region. Yes, there is a huge and ever widening credibility gap. Especially when questions are asked at the public information sessions and no clear answer is ever given - just a bunch of spin and non-answers. I have not spoken with ONE person who asked a question at a PIC who was satisfied with the answer they received. NOT because it was not the answer they wanted, as suggested by Mr. Cliff Curtis who is Commissioner of Waste... er, Works, but because they didn't get any answer at all. Just spin.
It is depressing to see what is happening to Clarington. It is more than depressing to see people putting their houses on the market already, so convinced are they that this will be pushed through in spite of what the final true answers are. It is a sad state of affairs for Clarington, for the Region of Durham, and for the GTA overall. It is depressing that seeing facilities that look "clean" in Europe seem to be the deciding factor, nevermind all the invisible emissions coming from the stacks; nevermind that their waste stream is different than ours; nevermind that we will not have the best available technology - we will have the most affordable technology. Nevermind that European standards are much higher than Ontario standards for emission control. Nevermind that Ontario has only guidelines, not requirements for emissions, and that while there may be a financial cost for exceeding limits placed upon incinerator facilities, many consider it simply a 'cost of doing business'.
Those who support this project should spend a little time doing some real homework. That includes our elected (and non-elected) representatives. It is more than obvious that our Mayor does not understand the EA process or how it works (or is supposed to work) at all. It is a process for ASKING questions of the proponents, and making sure those answers are received. He seems to object to all the questions being asked by residents and peer reviewers, since our Council is not asking the questions that need to be asked.
Also see Metroland articles and editorials:
Ajax council raises good questions on incinerator
Is Ajax standing up for Clarington’s interests?
Take a stand, Clarington, says incineration opponent
Energy from waste draws new faces
Durham Environment Watch - good source of information for incineration issues and media articles
Watchdog Incinerator Posts - previous posts regarding this incendiary issue
We should move for an immediate confidence vote of Abernathy and the regional representives of Clarington.
ReplyDeleteAlso, since it's a 4-3 majority local to regional representives, at the next GPA meeting, our local representives should immediately move for a vote on whether or not we're a willing host. If all local councillors agree, then it will be passed. Whether or not Anderson will accept it is not the point.
It's bad when Roger Anderson's old haunting ground questions the incinerator. Time for Clarington to stand up for us and say NO.
One thing our Mayor has done; he has put the "Duh" back in Durham!!
ReplyDeleteBlogster,
ReplyDeleteWhen I hear and see the antics of our three regional councilors, I think of the zany comedy sketches by a group called 'The Three Stooges'. The only problem here is, this trio of ours isn't very funny, in fact, they are a Regional embarrasment...come to think of it, together, they are a joke!
I couldn't agree more. Our local councilors have to stand up and declare us an unwilling host. There is no benefit to declaring us a willing host as it won't give us any more clout at the table than we would have as an unwilling host. Probably less because the Region would assume they can roll right over us as they have been doing. The Regional councilors from Clarington including the mayor are hopeless. They show more and more each day that they care more for their acceptance by Mr. Anderson than for the health and well-being (financial and otherwise) of their own municipality. They have been hoodwinked and its shameful.
ReplyDeleteThe Chair of Durham Region, Roger Anderson, is not elected and does not feel the least bit accountable to the people of Durham Region. He wheels and deals and gathers the votes he needs to push through (bully through) anything he darn well pleases. To even think that our Regional Council thinks for itself is being naive.
ReplyDeleteAs residents, and even our regional and local representatives on council, have not been given any choices. It is incinerator or landfill, and landfill is not allowed to be considered, not even the new technology landfills that are far less polluting and much more flexible and less expensive than incineration.
We are told there is no choice. Only incineration or we will be knee-deep in our own garbage. That is a bunch of trash-talking and nothing more. They are not being honest with us and are just ramming this junk through. Councillors are convinced they must vote for it and those councillors can be accused of not doing their homework.
This behaviour is simply disgusting. We WILL remember it in another 3 years. I certainly will. We all will when we see that incinerator stack from all around Durham Region and every time we drive past Clarington on 401.
Condolences to the municipality formally known as Clarington. Now known as the "pollution pit of Durham Region". St. Mary's Cement, Sewage Treatment Plant, Auto Wreckers no other municipality will accept, Darlington Nuclear, Wesleyville and more. We are the laughing stock of the GTA. Weak representation of Clarington at the Region is one of the reasons for this. Very, very sad for Clarington.
ReplyDeleteIt concerns me greatly that our Council has not seen fit to declare Clarington an unwilling host yet.
ReplyDeleteIf we are declared a WILLING host, all the Regional Councillors who are sitting on the fence will think it is okay and will vote in favour of an incinerator in Clarington. That would be sending the WRONG MESSAGE. The correct message is that we are NOT a willing host.
Tell the truth and don't play their games. What we need is integrity and honesty in our elected officials. Not game playing.
They are probably being told that to declare Clarington a willing host will give them less say in 'negotiations'. That is how Mr. Anderson works. The truth is, it won't make a bit of difference whether we are a willing host or not, other than to signal to the residents of Clarington that they understand our concerns (or not).
ReplyDeletePeggy, you are right about the game playing. I had hoped our council was above that, but apparently not. Or above being taken in by Mr. Anderson's (and cohorts in this endeavour) pressure tactics. I hope they show some courage and integrity and do what is right - declare us an unwilling host. Now.
I am exceedingly disappointed in our council, both local and regional. It seems like a slam-dunk that this incinerator is not safe. There is no proof that it will be, and in light of that we cannot afford to take the chance.
ReplyDeleteI am an unwilling host.
I agree with Peggy (above). In December, Regional Council will be voting to accept the consultants' (read: salesmen)choice of Clarington for the incinerator (based on a pathetically weak and compromised Mayor (Abernethy) and two politically bankrupt Reginal Councillors (Trim and Novak).
ReplyDeleteOur future and the future of Clarington in terms of being able to attract new (clean) industry to help with our skyrocketing taxes, to promote tourism here, to be able to attract new doctors, etc. now hinges on our four local Councillors. They, and they alone have the power (and let's hope, the integrity) to declare Clarington an unwilling host for this incinerator.
They now have the month of November to do this, otherwise, the Regional Councillors will see us as a willing host and it will make it just that much easier for them to vote to put this baby in our backyard. That way, they will not have to grapple with a real solution about waste matters for the next 35 years. Shameful.
No, they will have to grapple with their own conscience and with the wrath of their constituents because of their choice to subject us to this which is harmful to our health and well-being. It is not a sustainable solution, and in 35 years we will not be any farther ahead in waste diversion than we are now, and our health and that of our children and grandchildren will have already been compromised.
ReplyDeleteThat is something you cannot take back. They should think long and hard because they will be blamed for it.
Attract businesses? Are you kidding? The rest of the region is smacking their lips because Clarington will no longer be a threat to them - no competition here. And the doctors are against this incinerator and are being ignored while we are trying to attract more physicians to come here. I think Clarington Physician Recruitment will begin to suffer when the new recruits find out what they are walking in to. How very sad for us all.
ReplyDeleteMutton would have never let this happen. What the hell did we do electing Abernethy and Novak.
ReplyDeleteI think if it was up to Mutton, the incinerator would be being built as we speak.
ReplyDeleteIf it was something for Clarington good or bad it would be here in his opinion.
Durham doesn't care. We're just the taxpayers in a municipality that it's councillors accept the fact the only theing we get from teh region is bad things that none of the other cities and towns would accept in their area ever.
Time to wake up Clarington council.
My concern is that the Project Team is not listening. They take 4 or 5 months to answer our questions, and then don't give a straight or full answer. The Region has made it clear they don't care what the public things - they will make the decision (and several of them including the Chair made the decision long ago, before having study results). These studies are designed to give the answers they want and I have no confidence in them any longer.
ReplyDeleteNone of the "experts", including Dr. Lesbia Smith, has said or is able to guarantee that incineration is safe. They imply that it is, but won't come out and say it because they know it is not true.
Acceptable risk? Acceptable to whom? To politicians who will live many kilometers away and feel they won't be affected, or to the residents of Clarington where it will be sited? If it is so safe, why is it not being sited close to any of these politicians who are so adamantly in favour of it?
There is no confidence left in the process, which has been terribly flawed from the start.
To Anonymous saying that the incinerator would have already been built, look at the Port Granby Low Level Radioactive Waste agreement and what Mutton got the feds to cough up.
ReplyDeleteGet off your bashing of him, he made mistakes, but he was a leader and that is more than I can say about this current cast.
I expect you voted for Abernothing and you got what you deserved.