Brushed Off Yet Again

You may recall that we wrote to our local councillor and mayor last month, to invite them both to come out and see this situation for themselves, as many others now have.  We recently heard back from Councillor VanderBeek, and her response is completely unsatisfactory.

Her letter follows below, so you can read it for yourself.  Prepare yourself to be underwhelmed.

So the environment has been given the brush-off, yet again.  We are disappointed, but certainly not surprised by this anymore.  Over the past months, we have come to realize that it is useless to pursue letter-writing to public officials about trying to correct a situation that their inattention helped create.  The gist of the official responses to our concerns has been – and apparently will always be – “We officials hope it will all be okay, once everything is over.”   

 

Funny that they won’t come out to see the reality of the situation for themselves.  Have our politicians suddenly become shy?  Last fall, it was impossible to attend any fair or festival without running into Arlene VanderBeek and Fred Eisenberger.  Back then, when they were keenly running for office, they had booths set up in prominent locations at every public event.  In those days, these two couldn’t hear enough about local problems and issues. 

Now that they’re in office, however, it seems there simply are no troubles any more.  They don’t seem to want to see or hear anything for themselves.  Is this necessary for the use of Plausible Deniability, should they ever need it?  Such classic Plausible Deniability phrases as “I didn’t know all the facts” – “I never saw it” – “I was told it was all being taken care of properly” spring right to mind. They now appear much more interested in covering up problems than they are in solving them.

Collectively, all the officials involved – from the Niagara Escarpment Commission, the Hamilton Conservation Authority and the City of Hamilton – make us think of a circle of monkeys.  Each monkey has one paw clapped firmly over its eyes, in order to see no evils being committed.  With the other paw, each is pointing to the money sitting next to them, claiming, “It’s his responsibility! – Not mine!”  We can’t say it’s a pretty mental picture, or an admirable one.

It must also be remembered that, unlike monkeys, every one of this bunch is being handsomely paid by the public.   In theory, they have been charged with the care and protection of the natural environment.  However -- even when they are alerted to ongoing trouble -- they are all willing to take their time and ignore the matter while developers proceed to inflict damage to a “protected” environment.

If the NEC Manager (quoted in the letter below) ever personally set eyes on the destruction, while referring to the approved development map, he would have clearly seen that the 50-foot corridor of land designated protected had been fenced off and obliterated.   Everyone who has visited us here and compared the maps with reality can see this very clearly.  Indeed, many wondered out loud how contractors that seem to ignore approved plans can possibly be building a house! 

 

The fences mentioned in the NEC letter, supposedly installed to “adjust the erosion/sediment controls” are the extremely heavy-duty fencing that deer and other large wildlife cannot possibly cross.  They were installed right through the naturalized area, outside the development zone, and then even more orange snow fencing was added.  They have destroyed vital wildlife corridors that were designated protected.  They also make the place look like Auschwitz.

What on earth is wrong with the NEC?   They say they are “satisfied.”  They say it twice, they are so satisfied.  In our opinion, the NEC and City are far, far too easily satisfied.

On behalf of affected wildlife and humans alike, thanks for nothing, NEC.
 

Arlene VanderBeek says she is “sorry” that we are “disappointed.” 
Arlene, “disappointed” doesn’t even begin to cover it.

 

Here’s Councillor VanderBeek’s letter:  

 
From: VanderBeek, Arlene
To 'KYLE BENHAM', Fred Eisenberger

CC: tmcmeekin.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org, cuesta@cuestaplanning.com, debbie.pellakeen@ontario.ca, Litzen, Julie

Apr 24

Dear Mr. Benham,

On behalf of the Mayor and myself, I would like to clarify that City staff worked with my office and NEC staff (who are the issuers of Development Permits in your neighbourhood).  Mr. Bohdan Wynnycky of the NEC responded to your request for information.

You will recall that the following email was sent to you, on March 26^th, 2015 with a clear cc to my office, explaining that the NEC is satisfied that the contractor is working in compliance with the approved site plan and the Development Permit issued by the NEC:

Good morning Mr. Benham,

Allow me to respond on behalf of the Niagara Escarpment Commission (NEC).

While on the surface it may appear that nothing has transpired over the past week, we have in fact been working quite diligently with both the City and CA to ensure that construction is carried out in compliance with both the Conditions of the Development Permit and the approved site plan.

The NEC Compliance Specialist together with the Regulations Officer from the CA have instructed the owner/developer to adjust the erosion/sediment controls and tree protection zones to better mitigate the effects of construction activities (which he has done), and with this modification, we are satisfied that all aspects of the approved site plan are being adhered to (including the establishment of the natural areas as shown on the site plan).  We have also reviewed the tree preservation plan with the CA and the owner/developer, and are satisfied that that the goal of zero net loss of trees on this property will be achieved. 

With this, we find that development is proceeding in compliance with the conditions of the NEC Development Permit, and have advised the owner/developer that they may resume construction activity.  If you have any further questions, I can be reached at the telephone number listed below.

Sincerely,

Bohdan Wynnycky, MCIP, RPP

Manager
Niagara Escarpment Commission
232 Guelph Street
Georgetown, Ontario
L7G 4B1

tel  (905) 877-6172

email:  bohdan.wynnycky@ontario.ca

 I am sorry that you are disappointed with the response you received.

 Regards,

 Arlene

 Arlene VanderBeek

Hamilton City Councillor
Ward 13 – Community of Dundas
905-546-2714
arlene.vanderbeek@hamilton.ca