| Mayor explodes at anti-pipeline
presentation No conspiracy theory here, he says By Liz Dadson Kincardine mayor Larry Kraemer took exception to a presentation by a Tiverton resident regarding the proposed water pipeline from Kincardine's water treatment plant to Inverhuron Park. Currently under appeal, the $4-million project was approved by Kincardine council Sept. 4, 2002. Thursday night, it was on the agenda of a special project session called by the mayor. Sam Heisz of Tiverton offered some history of his perception of the whole process of the pipeline project which has left him with a feeling of frustration and lack of faith in the entire system. He said he was one of about 95 per cent of respondents to a survey, a year-and-a-half ago, who said they did not want municipal water. "In response to this overwhelmingly negative response, council chose to do a study, stating that it felt that people needed to know more," said Heisz. "In doing so, council chose to become the proponent, for a project planned in compliance with the municipal Class Environmental Assessment." Heisz said he expected council would follow due process but was disappointed with the outcome. He claims a 400-name petition against the project was ignored, as were any questions or concerns that did not support Alternative 4D, the $4-million mega-pipeline which was sanctioned by council. Heisz said he received no response from council regarding his concerns. Even his Ward 3 representative, councillor Sandy Donald, supported Alternative 4D which went against the desires of his own constituents. Despite several requests for information, Heisz has received nothing, he told council. He even set up a meeting with deputy mayor Sharon Mooser but that was cancelled an hour before the scheduled appointment because she said it was inappropriate for her to talk to him. As he was about to question why council and staff acted as they did regarding this project, Heisz's presentation was cut off by Kraemer and Heisz was told his five minutes had ended. "I thought I had 10 minutes," said Heisz. "I've ruled you have five minutes," retorted Kraemer, noting that Heisz had already presented enough unsubstantiated comments and half-truths. "I have the chair and I rule this meeting," shouted Kraemer. "Consider yourself warned." Heisz objected, saying the clerk had told him he had 10 minutes to make his presentation and he wasn't finished. The mayor then told him if he did not sit down, he would be thrown out. Heisz did not finish his presentation but handed it to the press. In his final paragraph, he notes that he is in the process of preparing an application to the Superior Court of Justice, asking for the determination of contravention of the municipal conflict of interest act by members of Kincardine council. "I have been talking to a lawyer," said Heisz, after being unable to finish his presentation. Following the meeting, Kraemer told The Independent that none of what Heisz said was factual but was based on a conspiracy theory. "I see no conspiracy," he said. "We followed the law to the letter." He said the municipality completed the legal requirements of the Class Environmental Assessment and the public process was followed through a public advisory committee involved in the pipeline project. "I refused to step back," said Kraemer. "He (Heisz) was given his five minutes." He added that Thursday night's meeting was about which projects were to be finished and in what manner. "We're already so far behind on so many issues," he said. Earlier in the meeting, treasurer Brenda French reminded council that it is committed to doing the pipeline project, subject to a positive response to the Environmental Assessment. "It's a large project," she said. "There are some cash flow issues but eventually it will be funded by the users. At this point, we have the medical clinic (about $1 million committed) and the water pipeline (about $1 million committed) already." She pointed out later in the meeting that Kincardine has about $6 million in reserves. Of that, about $2 million is in mandatory reserves (water and sewer) and reserve funds. |