The residents along the Snow Valley Road and I do.
We remember the lack of willingness to meet as a group, respect and support the Springwater mayor, council, and staff gave.
So when the Midhurst Secondary Plan surprise (1,100 homes to 11,000) happened in Novemeber, 2011, we had some history to compare how much truth we should expect from the current Township administration.
The Barrie Examiner (Bob Bruton and Mike Hinds) reported on August 3, 2003, Still thirsty for answers: Residents push for meeting:
Some residents are still seeing smoke days after a huge chemical-fed fire burned out on Snow Valley Road.
Les Stewart, who lives on Highway 26/27 near the Philip Environmental Services fire site, says there needs to be a community meeting to clear the air.
“I’m not for scaring people at all, but, in an information vacuum, the anxiety factor rises exponentially and that is what I am feeling in the community,” said Stewart
He says if everything is all right, people want to know. And, if it’s not, they want to know what the options are.
“There are 18 (affected) homes on Snow Valley Road and Bayfield (Street),” he said. “There are a lot of people with these kind of concerns.”
The fire last Monday afternoon at Philip Environmental sent fireballs and black smoke billowing skyward.
Air emissions testing by Ontario’s Ministry of the Environment showed contaminants at only trace levels.
Results of water, soil and vegetation tests are expected this week.
Stewart says while com information has been released, residents have more questions and concerns.”
“Perception is reality, and it’s hard to avoid the mushroom cloud. People will remember it,” he said.
Springwater Township members on July 29, 2003:
Helen Coutts, Mayor
John E. Brown, Deputy Mayor
George Woods, Ward 1
Tom Elliott, Ward 2
Ross Money, Ward 3
Tony Guergis, Ward 4
George Todd, Ward 5, Midhurst
Update: No meeting. No data. Rebuilt hazardous waste building (2 to 3 times the size of original one). Asked by Ministry of Energy district manager in private meeting: Have you considered moving?
Springwater Township resident Les Stewart takes a close look at his tap water, but it won’t bring him any closer to knowing what’s in it after a large chemical fire forced the evacuation of 500 people from their homes in July. Stewart, who represents about 20 of his neighbours, wants raw data on well water, air quality and soil testing. Photo by Mark Wanzel
