Re: Statement On Wind Turbines from Bill Cox

Dianne Isaacs | Oct 01, 2015

Councillor Cox seems to be more than a little confused in his statement (Statement On Wind Turbines from Bill Cox, Sep 16/15)Statement On Wind Turbines from Bill Cox, Sep 16/15). He bases his argument upon the so-called vibrancy fund agreements. It must be assumed that when he references "the agreements" he means vibrancy agreements.

There are three potential municipal actions with a wind turbine proponent: a roads agreement, a vibrancy fund agreement and a municipal support motion.

The vibrancy fund agreement and the municipal support motion do not limit the proponent's activities. Councillor Cox appears to believe that the vibrancy fund agreement and the municipal support motion do somehow limit the proponent's activities when he states that without "the agreements" the proponents would be allowed to "do as they wish".

If a proponent wins the bid, a municipal road agreement must be signed. Councillor Cox fails to understand this point because he says that without "the agreements" there would be no road agreements. Wherever did Councillor Cox get this idea?

Councillor Cox says that he personally supports the vibrancy agreements apparently because the Ontario government has the "final say" in the process. However, Councillor Cox is an elected representative and his personal opinion must be secondary to the views of his constituents.

Councillors in North Frontenac understood their responsibilities as elected representatives and declined to support the wind turbine proposals.

Councillor Cox describes the information presented to council by constituents as "unfounded or unproven and people's personal opinion".

How does Councillor Cox know that this information is "unfounded" or "unproven"? Why is Councillor Cox's personal opinion of more value than other "people's personal opinion"?

Councillor Cox focuses exclusively on vibrancy agreements aka money. He ignores the 100 giant turbines that will devastate Ward 1. He believes that accepting the vibrancy funds is "doing what is best for our municipality". He is saying that he is a money man. In contrast councillors in North Frontenac are saying that they are community men.