"A step forward" for democracy. -Steve Ogden

August 25 was a big day, not only for the County of Simcoe, but for the planet.

To further investigate the environmental impacts on the surrounding area, including the purest water, Simcoe County Council voted in favour for an one year moratorium to halt activities of North Simcoe Landfill (Dump Site 41). Also a motion was tabled for next month to stop Dump Site 41 for good. Steve Ogden says it is a “step forward” for democracy.

The following day Tony Guergis, County Warden, in an interview on A Channel News made a complete turn around saying it is time to shut down Site 41. This is not the first time Guergis changed his mind; when running for Mayor he was elected for being in opposition to the dump site, once elected he was in favour. Just because he said this now does not mean he will not change his mind before next council when they discuss the motion to stop Dump Site 41. 

The fight is not over yet; the county still needs to completely dismantle the idea of Dump Site 41.

Would you pollute the purest water in the world?

Take action, visit: http://www.StopDumpSite41.ca 
Form to write all Councillors: http://www.canadians.org/action/2009/10-Aug-09.html

It is the purest water at risk, not just my backyard. The water located at the proposed North Simcoe Landfill, Dump Site 41, is comparable to core samples of 5,000 to 6,000 year old artic ice. The dump site is a global concern attracting public figures, scientists, and politicians; such as Maude Barlow, who is the adviser on water to the president of the United Nations, and chairperson of the Council of Canadians; David Suzuki, one of Canada’s leading environmental scientists; and even Ralph Nader, past American presidential candidate.

Professor William Shotyk, of the University of Heidelberg in Germany, tested the water in 2006 and discovered the remarkable low level of heavy metals. In other areas water needs to be softened and filtered in attempt to remove pollutants and metals known to cause cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer’s, and many other serious illnesses.

Pesticides, fertilizers, and pollutants are currently being filtered naturally through the glacial debris in the ground. The Alliston aquifer’s upper aquitard is being destroyed and will provide a direct channel for pharmaceuticals and toxic waste to the aquitard’s 13 rivers and streams, and the aquifer.

There is no need to throw this dump site into any backyard, when the other dump sites managed by the County of Simcoe could have more than 40 remaining years of their lifespan. Their lifespan could be longer when taking in consideration of the continuing advancement and innovation of recycling and composting.

The Alliston aquifer’s “backyard” from Georgian Bay to the Oak Ridges Moraine consists of many species with a better excuse than any other backyard: the purest water in the world; which makes the site the world’s backyard. As the world is running out of clean fresh water, we need to protect what we have. More and more Blue Wave People from around the world are standing up and putting out a call to stop Dump Site 41. This water needs to be celebrated, not polluted.

Dale Goldhawk fights back!

My previous videos on Site 41:

• 2007 Katy Austin, Simcoe-Grey NDP Candidate
• July 4th, 2009 walk
• July 25, 2009 Rally for a Moratorium