To the editor,
Congratulations to our newly-elected council in what proved to be a resounding win for incumbent council members, as well as our three new members.
As evident by a record turnout in voters (59.31 per cent), you can’t say democracy in South Bruce is dead. And considering the unprecedented number of debates held before the election, voters were adequately informed of all issues at hand and where each of the candidates stood on them. That of course includes whether or not this municipality can show a compelling level of willingness to be host to the NWMO’s proposed DGR (deep geological repository). And on that point all candidates, including newly-elected Mayor Mark Goetz, promised this would be done by way of a formal referendum.
However, what was in question, and where candidates from Protect Our Waterways greatly differed from incumbent council candidates, was exactly when that referendum would be held. And according to Mayor-elect Goetz, that will require further public information meetings so that “all the cards are before us and on the table.” Goetz had also pointed out in some of the debates that there was great desire by residents to learn more about the DGR. At least from those “willing to listen.”
If anything, this election proved by an overwhelming majority that indeed the constituents of South Bruce want to learn more and be better informed on the DGR before voting in the promised referendum. I only hope that in the coming months that we enter a learning process of both the pros and what has been sadly lacking under the NWMO’s narrative – the cons – of this DGR!
Just “imagine the possibilities” if we were allowed to learn both sides of the DGR issue before we finally voted on our willingness.
David Wood
Mildmay
