The South Marysburgh Mirror FYI By Barb Proctor Municipal Councillor for South Marysburgh I’m going to quote some of a recent email that | re- ceived from a notorious county blogger: “My God, Barb, | can’t figure you out on the wind issue. You must have a political death wish.” My wish is not to further or salvage my politi- cal career but to make fair and equitable decisions at the council table. To that end | have been character- ized by some as invisible, indecisive, incompetent and in cahoots with the wind developers. At the beginning of this council term in 2010, our Mayor cautioned that council approach issues with an open mind. | recall this specifically with ref- erence to our Economic Development Strategy de- bates. | believe that to be good advice on all munici- pal matters. Also, since the start of this term of council | have been repeatedly questioned on “my position” on wind energy. When an elected official adopts a specific position or jumps “all in” on either side of an argument, it certainly prevents balanced decision making for a municipality of 10 townships. | have stated many times that the Green En- ergy Act is flawed and needs extensive inclusive re- dressing. It has triggered so many irreversible conse- quences. It could be scrapped altogether but we are still left in this current situation. The consequences of the legislation have severed friendships, families and communities. The prospect of wind operations in our community has brought out the worst in eve- ryone, ‘for’ or ‘against’ them. Here is an account of our most recent local wind controversy. These facts are a matter of public record at the clerk’s office or on the county website. ® On Jan. 22, 2013 an invitation was circulated to small rural municipalities across the province by Wainfleet Township on Lake Erie to attend a symposium to “Band together to form a united front against the Province of Ontario’s Green En- ergy Initiative.” April 9th Council approval of March 28th Com- mittee of the Whole: Merten’s motion to support Town of Wainfleet resolution to request meeting with Premier Wynne for “A broad discussion ° eabout possible amendments to the GEA“ regard- ing local decision making with regards to wind ener- gy applications. Proctor voted in favour. e Also, council approval of item 7.5 March 28th Committee of the Whole to appoint Councillor Quaiff “as representative on behalf of Prince Ed- ward County” to Central Advisory established to facilitate Wainfleet resolution. e Days Prior to the advisory appointment by coun- cil, Proctor contacted Mayor by email asking if there were terms of reference for this Advisory Committee. The Mayor responded by email to say there were no terms of reference. Proctor voted in favour of appointment of Councillor Quaiff. e No subsequent Advisory Committee Reports or Minutes made available to council regarding business of that Committee. e April 23, 2013 Council approves motion to re- solve that PEC be declared an unwilling host to wind energy. This motion did not go to Com- mittee of the Whole as per usual procedure where discussion provides opportunity for input from staff and council. e Days prior to council meeting, Proctor requested, through the county clerk, a staff report to under- stand the implicati that this declarati would have for the amalgamated single-tier mu- nicipality of Prince Edward County with regards to planning and policies, and ultimately the way the county would do business in the future. The clerk reported back to say that such a report had been declined. e During the discussion of this motion at the April 23rd council meeting, Proctor stated concerns regarding future implications of approving the resolution. The Mayor responded by saying “things couldn’t get much worse than they are now.” The motion to declare Prince Edward County an Unwilling Host to Wind Energy passes 11 to5. Proctor opposed the motion. Other municipalities have been faced with this same question, do we declare to the provincial government that we are unwilling hosts to wind en- ergy? Loyalist Township, our neighbours to the east, which includes Bath and Amherst Island, consulted their legal staff prior to a declaration and they were (Continued on the next page}