By Lee Griffi, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Kevin Thomason isn’t a stranger to delegating at Wilmot Township council meetings.
He was at the most recent meeting on Monday night presenting petitions and asking council to declare Wilmot an unwilling host for the Region of Waterloo’s land-acquisition project. Thomason is also a member of the Fight for Farmland group.
“In case there are any doubts, I’m here to present to you hundreds and hundreds of signed petitions from citizens, taxpayers and families throughout Wilmot and beyond calling for (the township) to support the demands of Wilmot citizens and declare that we are an unwilling host,” he said.
Thomason also asked council to approve a motion clearly stating it is an unwilling host and that a proper public planning process be undertaken to find a better location for a mega-site that minimizes farmland loss and environmental impact.
“And that our official plan and countryside line be reinstated to provide long-term planning certainty in Wilmot,” he added.
Thomason said area homeowners report they are not able to sell their homes and are facing dramatically reduced property values because of the proposed mega-industrial site. He added councillors need to take a stronger stance.
“Not a single person here was elected on the platform of quintupling our population with the massive boundary expansion that has just occurred for New HamBadenburg, or elected to destroy our previously
protected farmland on such an unprecedented, massive scale.”
He explained the community has been calling for the end of what he calls a nightmare since it was first released.
“The landowners are unwilling, the farmers are unwilling, our community is unwilling and we need you to tell (Premier Doug Ford) using his own words that we are not a willing host,” Thomason said.
Coun. Lillianne Dunstall admitted the entire land-acquisition process has been bungled by everyone, but most residents are sympathetic.
“At (Monday) night’s council meeting, another passionate plea was made for Wilmot to take a stand and make a statement,” Dunstall said. “After the meeting, I had the opportunity to speak with one of the farmers impacted by the land assembly – a constituent in my ward. We’ve met several times and I have always been direct and upfront with him. We agree this could have been handled much better and respectfully understand each other’s positions and share a mutual respect.”
She added most people understand that Wilmot, as a second-tier municipality, has no decision-making authority regarding the assembly.
“I am only speaking for myself, but here is the reality. Despite intense pressure from well-organized, articulate and vocal advocacy groups, and the negative media attention directed at elected officials, neither (Waterloo Region) nor the province has been persuaded to reverse their decision. I do not believe any statement I make will have an impact on the decisions being made.”
Dunstall explained there are people on both sides of the issue in her ward.
“Many who support the assembly remain silent. You will not hear them make a public statement because they are afraid to voice their opinions for fear of backlash. Nevertheless, they have real and serious concerns.”
She added those people are concerned about taxes and growth, and whether the township can sustain itself.
“They’re also thinking about generational employment for their children and grandchildren. Historically, large manufacturers pay a good living wage with great benefits, allowing those who grew up in Wilmot to live and work here.”
Dunstall said she isn’t stating her personal views but rather doing her best to represent constituents on both sides of this very important, complex and emotional issue.
“Those who have a voice and, more importantly, those who do not,” she said.
Council approves historic look into township books
Coun. Harvir Sidhu’s motion to have township staff bring forward a report on past financial practices in Wilmot passed, with councillors Dunstall and Steven Martin voting against it.
The motion passed with an amendment to provide information as far back as 2011. With the adjustment, acting CAO Greg Clark estimated it would take a few hundred hours of staff time to produce the report.
“I’ve received some criticism for my decision and have responded to a few emails, but I stand firmly behind my reasoning. If I’m going to allocate hundreds of hours of township staff time, I’d rather use it to look forward, not backward,” said Dunstall.
She added she would rather focus on weekly brainstorming sessions to generate revenue ideas, attract new businesses that pay twice the residential tax rate and encourage growth.
“Wilmot has a very low ratio of business to residents and addressing that would better serve our community’s future. The bottom line, and I said it last night, what will this information give us? I don’t think spending so much time and resources looking behind us when, in front of us, our house is on fire.”
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