Re: Hartington Protest Walk

Dennis and Hanne Saunders | Nov 09, 2016

First of all, I want to thank Frontenac News for covering The Hartington Protest walk, Oct 20/16. As a community we are working hard to fund our fight to protect our vulnerable water supply. This proposed subdivision poses a very real threat to both the quantity and quality of our water.

Secondly, we did not organize this walk in protest of anything. It was a fund raiser. We are very proud of the women, mostly Grandmothers, who raised over $3000.00 with this walk.

Thirdly, I want to correct a statement that was made in the article. It was stated that "The walk was designed as a way to raise money for the appeal of a South Frontenac Township decision to approve a new subdivision that is to be put in Hartington."

The walk was indeed a fund raiser to generate money for the appeal of the proposed subdivision. On August 23rd the Township voted to NOT support the subdivision.

The vote on draft plan of subdivision conditions was defeated 4 to 3 in a recorded vote, with 2 councillors absent. Mayor Vandewal, and Councillors McDougall and Sutherland voted in favour, Councillors Revill, Roberts, Schjerning, and Sleeth voted against, and Councillors Barr and Robinson were absent. The zoning change was also defeated.

Two of those who voted in favour, Mayor Vandewal and Councillor McDougall, are also South Frontenac's representatives on Frontenac County Council, which held a special meeting the next morning. County council voted to support the subdivision, despite of the vote at the Township meeting the previous night. Mayor Vandewal and Councillor McDougall voted in favour of the subdivision, again in spite of the results of the previous night.

Since this issue is going to the OMB, the most both Councils could do was to decide whether to support the application & the draft plan conditions at OMB. South Frontenac voted in essence to not support the application & draft plan conditions at OMB, while County Council voted to support the application & draft plan conditions. The decision is in the hands of the OMB.

This is sending quite a mixed message. Township says no, County says yes- who speaks for the people who are at risk here? It seems that the Township, at least, is listening. Not all of them, but the majority is listening.