Interpretive Education Centre report on council agenda
Administrator | Jun 26, 2011 | Comments 11
What’s coming up at Prince Edward County council meetings. Viewers are invited to make comment on council issues, or email a more detailed comment to news@countylive.ca
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Full council and committee agendas and minutes with links to documents here:
http://princeedward.fileprosite.com/Documents/DocumentList.aspx?ID=7431
Coming up:
June 16: Committee of the Whole Meeting 1:00 p.m. Council Chambers
Heritage Advisory Committee Meeting 9:00 a.m. Edward Building
June 22:
Committee of Adjustment Meeting 6:30 p.m. Council Chambers
Planning Public Meeting 7:00 p.m. Council Chambers
June 28: Council Meeting 7:30 p.m. Shire Hall
June 30: Committee of the Whole Meeting 1:00 p.m. Council Chambers
Interpretive Education Centre report on council agenda
Prince Edward County Council will receive a ‘Renewable Energy Interpretive Education Centre’ report from the Economic Development office at Thursday’s Committee of the Whole meeting.
The report recommends staff be directed to form collaborative work relationships with renewable energy developers, local trades, skills training and employment agencies, Quinte Conservtion and the Community Foundation to further explore the options identified in the June 16 report, and other potential options, to maximize local economic and employment opportunities and report back to council within six months.
Backgroup, purpose, analysis, and comment here: http://princeedward.fileprosite.com/Documents/DocumentList.aspx?ID=45371
Also at the meeting:
John Bennett of the Sierra Club to address the committee regarding medical studies and public concerns over the potential health impacts of wind turbines.
Councillor Robert Quaiff, chair of Police Services, to speak on an auxiliary unit for Prince Edward County.
A deputation from Petty Officer 2nd Class Peter Clarabut, HMCS Cataraqui, will ask council to support and participate in a ‘Freedom of the City’ event set for Sunday, Oct. 2.
Scott Wentworth will provide a powerpoint presentation regarding the ‘Come Alive Outside’ initiative.
A letter from Dr. Richard Schabas, Medical Officer of Health, asks the county to support the efforts of the Hastings and Prince Edward Counties Health Unit to reduce the risk of West Nile virus illness in the area.
Committee of the Whole agenda here:
http://princeedward.fileprosite.com/Documents/DocumentList.aspx?ID=45372
Filed Under: Local News
Re: an interpretive cente paid for by Gilead
This company has an obvious conflict of interest, well documented on this site and elsewhere. Some of Gilead’s expected profit will fund Gilead’s interpretation of why this mostly-taxpayer-funded boondoggle is/was worth it? Give us a break.
If the Sierra club can present their findings, then Nature Canada and other groups should be allowed to present as well. And so should a representative from the University of Barcelona, which convinced the Spanish government to demolish a wind farm in that country because it was in a migratory bird route (see link below). How can we make that happen?
http://www.spainreview.net/index.php/2011/05/18/most-of-a-33-windmill-wind-farm-have-to-be-demolished/
There is so much more that our generation can do to stop the destruction of the climate than put up a few Wind Turbines in an ecologically sensitive environment while destroying the habitat and killing endangered or threatened species. Wind Energy is part of the answer – it just has to be done in a way that doesn’t create more damage or harm.
Todays kids will inherit the worst of the climate crisis and we will have the distinction of doing our best to avoid conservation and renewable energy solutions. Expect our grandchildren to be embarrassed.
Not true John what the majority of councillors are doing is acting in the best interests of the community and not jumping at something just because it was mentioned once by a councillor before the last election. Thanks to those councillors who are taking their time to consider all aspects of a situation before jumping on a band wagon that might be going nowhere.
True to form, the majority of Councillors are giving no consideration to the needs of our young people who need to be prepared for the realities of the 21st century.
Sanity prevails!
I’m pleased to report that Council voted 8 to 4 to defer consideration of this project until questions about the impact of turbines on human health have been resolved.
Coun. Terry Shortt made the point very effectively that it would be inappropriate to collaborate with wind energy developers on any project while Council’s request for a moratorium on wind turbines pending health studies is outstanding.
I noticed that John Bennett of the Sierra Club will be at the meeting to address council regarding health issues on IWTs. He is not a medical doctor, nor is he a health expert. Why, and by whom, was he invited?
Too bad most councillors did not attend the health symposium held at the Waring House a few months ago. They should have invited one or two of those Medical experts to speak on the subject, not someone who is a paid strategist.
Do we put the cart before the horse. Why waste time and money on investigating something that so many people do not want to have anything to do with.
I thought the council was in debt but now we talk about interpretive centres and boardwalks. PAY OFF THE DEBTS BEFORE SPENDING ANY MORE MONEY
The idea of an interpretive cente paid for by Gilead has morphed over time into a much more ambitious proposal for an interpretive / educational / tourist centre and/or a job training and capacity building initiative, funded by renewable energy companies — especially by wind developers active in the County.
But Council wants a moratorium on wind projects pending health studies, and endorses PEC Field Natualists opposition to wind turbines in our Important Bird Area. How then can Council reconcile negotiating with the companies engaged in projects that Council doesn’t want?
As an educational centre, would wind developers help fund a project that presents both the pros anc cons of wind turbines? Not too likely.
It would be very easy for this project to become an expensive boondoggle, with the County holding the bag.
And the plan would be to locate the centre in Picton, which would be cited as yet another example of everything going to Picton.
Money aside, the issue of wind turbines has been a divisive one in our community. Do we want to build a centre that will serve to focus and amplify this divisiveness?