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12 THE GEORGETOWN GEMINI Rules eased on Escarpment quarries BY FRANCES NIBLOCK The Georgetown Gemini United Aggregates Limited (UAL) and other long-time quarry operators on the Niagara Escarpment do not require permits for most of their mining operations under new rules announced recently by Environment Minis- ter Norm Sterling. Under the new regulation, quarry compa- nies can cut trees, remove soil and rock to the water table level in the Niagara Escarpment area before having to apply for a develop- ment permit from the Niagara Escarpment Commission -- the watchdog of the world- renowned landmark. The legislation overturns two court judg- ments against UAL that said the company required a development permit for expansion plans at the Acton Quarry. The Minister said the regulation just re-establishes the practice for permits that existed before UAL lost the court battles, but several environmental groups accuse the government of doing an end-run around the law protecting the es- carpment. In late summer, environmental groups were angered when the province proposed a regu- lation to exempt UAL and other aggregate producers from requiring Niagara Escarp- ment Planning and Development Area per- mits. The new regulation means that compa- nies will still need a permit at the point when their quarry reaches the water table and they need to pump water to mine the limestone. Local environmentalist Rita Landry, who, with the help of the Sierra Legal Defence Fund, privately charged UAL with mining without a required development permit, said that the new regulation sends three troubling messages to Ontarians. "First, it says that when citizens want to enforce environmental laws, the government may change the rules to benefit industry. Second, it sends the message that the govern- ment believes the unique and treasured es- carpment is no longer worth protecting. And it sends the message that, despite a Ministe- rial change in the Environment and Energy portfolio, the Harris anti-environmentagenda is full-steam ahead," Landry said, noting that the private prosecution against UAL will continue. NEC Director Nars Borodezak said he expected that the Commission would look favourably on the new regulation. "All it does is confirm that the way we were doing business in the past was the right way, so we lost no authority," Borodcezak explained last week. "We will be expecting UAL to file for a development permit." WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 1996 HI-TECH WIZARDS: Glen and Judy Harr ie ison, owners of Ashteq Business Systems, Georgetown. The Streetsville couple decided to open their business in Mountainview Plaza after scouting the area and finding Georgetown has a great business climate. Town supports GTA marketing plan Saying that the Town's fu- ture depends on the co-op- eration and participation of economic development within the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), Halton Hills WE'D LIKE 10 MAKE THIS PERFECTLY CLEAR. | MOUNTAINVIEW RD. | TRAFALGAR RD | We are Halton Region Planning and Public Works and for the next few weeks we'll be cleaning out the water mains on the streets in.the area shown on the map above. We're working through the water system a few streets at a time. We'll drop off a bulletin to your home or business giving you a couple of days notice when we'll be working on your street. 'During the cleaning, we'll be flushing out a lot of discoloured water. We don't want that ending up in your home. So, please remember: Y Please do not use your water or flush your toilet between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm on the day we're working on your street. Y Afterwards, flush out your own system by running your cold water until the water runs clear. Turn on the cold water in your basement and the tap in the highest part of your home. Thanks for your help and sorry for the brief inconvenience. After this work is done, the drinking water will be clean for years to come. We think you'll like the way we've made things perfectly clear. Questions? Call Betty Young at 878-8113, ext. 8145 Halton Region Planning and Public Works Mayor Marilyn Serjeantson urged Council to be part of a new GTA private-partnership marketing alliance, last week. Although councillors agreed they would support the initiative, they had ques- tions about how much it would cost. The GTA Marketing Alli- ance will market the com- petitive advantages and busi- ness opportunities inthe GTA to prospective investors, and Serjeantson, named as an al- ternate Halton representative on the GTA Marketing Alli- ance Board, pitched its ben- efits at last week's Council meeting. "In my estimation we have the most to gain, especially in our situation," Serjeantson said, noting that the Town was 20 minutes from the air- port and close to both the 401 and 407. "Our whole industrial des- ignation forthe future is green fields. "We need as much eco- nomic exposure as we can getand we should be there (at the GTA Marketing Alliance) fighting for our fair share," Serjeantson said, adding that the Town didn't have the money for an effective mar- keting campaign. Each of the five regions in the GTA will be required to pay $80,000 annually to be- long to the Marketing Alli- ance and Serjeantson said she thought it would be fair to have the Region pay $40,000 and each of the four munici- palities pay $10,000. Ward 4 Councillor Al Cook noted that the budget request was for this year only and questioned if the Town's share would automatically increase next year. That led Serjeantson to suggest that Council join for this year and re-assess involvement next year. Serjeantson also said that she is attempting to find sources to supplement the Town's share ofmembership and will report back. Other members in the alli- ance are 35 local and regional municipalities, and the GTA Boards and Chambers, rep- resenting the private sector. Gas bar-car wash approved The owner of a proposed gas bar-car wash at the eastern entrance to Georgetown will have to be environmentally- conscience and recycle the water used. Subject to site plan approval, the gas station-car wash will open on the former Little's Trailer Sales property at the corner of McFarlane Drive and Guelph Street. Council approved a Committee of Adjustment decision to amend the bylaw to allow a drive-through, touchless car wash as an accessory use on the property. Eighty-four per cent of residents in the neighbouring Sands Condominium oppose the plan, complaining that it would cause noise and traffic problems, but the Committee said those issues could be resolved through the Site Plan process. Constables from Halton Regional Police conducted Operation Impact target- ing impaired drivers and seat belt violators, from Oct. 5 to 18. Police stopped 4,346 vehicles, conducted 17 Operation Impact successful road side sobriety tests, is- sued five 12-hour suspen- sions, and one person was charged with impaired driving. At that time, 28 people were charged with failing to wear seat belts.