Greatly disappointed with South Frontenac Council

Walt Sepic | Nov 23, 2023

I am greatly disappointed by council’s recent decision to reject Louise Fragnito’s recommendation to hire a consultant to develop a formal climate action plan. I applaud Ms. Fragnito’s recommendation because it would guide council toward a more sustainable future. From council’s rejection I might assume that council is to have the situation under sufficient control to manage South Frontenac’s future? After they were told that staff cannot do this? This plan could be available in as little as a few months, by May. And then we could act on it.

I would suggest that council members tell their grandchildren of their decision and then tell them what to expect in the coming years: continued record seasons of floods, fires (causing high smoke levels keeping us indoors), tornados as well as other extreme weather events.

Mayor Vandewal says “This proposal would pretty well empty the reserve”. To that I would ask “What is our future worth?” The mayor then asks “What would a CCAP show us that we’re not doing now?” Really? As if we’re doing everything we can. This rhetorical question shocked me. Seriously Ron? If Ms. Fragnito stated that staff could not fulfill this responsibility, then how can our township be lead in the best direction? Would what we’re doing now with our limited knowledge and expertise be better than a team of experienced professionals who could advise us in this area?

I’m embarrassed during discussions with friends in other townships that have solid CCAP’s. Perhaps someone on council could contact those other townships or municipalities and see how they’ve done it. Find other municipality’s plans here:

-  http://haliburtoncounty.ca/en/planning-and-maps/community-climate-action-guide.aspx

- https://www.lanarkcounty.ca/en/resources/Lanark-County-Climate-Action-Plan_Final-Draft_Nov-8.pdf

- https://www.hastings.citizenlab.co/en-GB/folders/hastings-climate-action

- https://www>.lennox-addington.on.ca/news/county-lennox-and-addington-climate-action-plan