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<font size="+1">I attended the (local conservation authority) GRCA
meeting April 1 on Source Water Protection. Last month our top water
manager gave a full report. On April 1st he gave the final summary of
Guelph's water threats and plans . Then it was open for questions from
the horseshoe of people from
all over the watershed. Someone from Brantford asked him " how many
brownfields does
Guelph have?"... there was a pause. He looked at our top environmental
services person
who also regularly attends and she answered "10-20." ...Silence....He
then cleared his throat and
said "I think it is a few more... say 20-40." ...another long pause....
much looking around. Our local volunteer, who sits on that panel,
then said "there are 175 brownfields in
Guelph". The next question from the lower watershed was "and what are
you doing about your brownfields?" Well, by then the point was made
and I was ashamed of our city.<br>
<br>
There is more to tell about this meeting that is very undemocratic. But
I want to stress that there should be someone
from Waterloo/ GREN watching also. We had no reporter from Guelph that
I saw. I don't know if one from your area was there or not. Does anyone
know how I would find out about reporters at this from other areas in
the watershed.? <br>
This will probably not be reported. I doubt if it is recorded in
minutes. I knew there were 175 because I had
happened to talk with someone on staff the day before and we are doing
nothing. <br>
</font><br>
<font size="+1">There are serious questions to be asked. Does the head
of Guelph</font><font size="+1">'s environmental services not know how
many brownfields we have?
<br>
<br>
Why would she conceal this fact from the best GR watershed protection
group
we have? </font><br>
<font size="+1"> <br>
Why are there never any councillors at these meetings? We have two of
them paid to be our reps at GRCA and their absence at these monthly
meetings is inappropriate when our city staff are this deceptive on a
protection team. </font><font size="+1">(BTW they are also generally
absent at the annual GRCA Water Forum most years when the water experts
speak about the latest research on water threats and protection.)</font>
<big>Are Waterloo reps there? </big><br>
<font size="+1"><br>
If Brantford is doing a lot to reclaim their brownfields why aren't
we? Guelph won the top award from the Canadian Urban Institute in 2002
for creating Brownfields Strategy that is a model for other
municipalities. this Stategy is on the city website and states that
since brownfields already have services of roads, public utilities,
transit links "the benefits far outweigh the costs." <br>
We continue to say we are a green municipality. A
local councillor was in Brazil last week promoting our green-ness. <br>
<br>
Do upper watershed municipalities have any fiduciary responsibility to
the lower
watershed. Eg. to be careful with our practices that affect quality of
water they have to drink? <br>
<br>
Why is Guelph considered a green city? Is it because so many citizens
keep bringing lack of accountability forward and keep trying to make it
greener?<br>
<br>
Why has a SLAPP suit been used against the grassroots water watchers
and how far will some city staff go to keep control for continuing
development on greenfields over water resources instead of brownfield
reclamation ? <br>
<br>
Our role as waterwatchers is complex. I will be going to our media.
Norah<br>
<br>
</font><br>
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