To the editor,
I find it quite unsettling that four North Huron councillors – two from Blyth and two from East Wawanosh – have so boldly lied to their constituents. For some unknown reason these councillors have made it their mandate to totally remove the Howson Dam in Wingham.
Now comes the smoke and mirrors. These councillors will try to make you believe that they will be able to have the dam removed at no cost to you, the taxpayers. This is really a big fat lie!
Apparently, the township did secure an Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund grant that is specifically linked to upgrading and repairing roads, sewers, sidewalks and lighting. But can it legally be used to demolish community infrastructure?
Whether it is this year or next, these same four councillors will be telling you that they need to raise your taxes so that they can repair roads, sewers, sidewalks and lighting. Numerous times over the last four years, Chris Palmer, Anita van Hittersum, Kevin Faulkner and Ric McBurney have stated that there will be no tax dollars going toward the Howson Dam. Then, magically, they found $1,037,000 to remove the dam. That grant can’t be applied for again, so taxes will have to be raised!
How is it that four councillors who don’t live in Wingham know what is better for Wingham than the two Wingham councillors? These same four councillors voted against a committee that was willing to fundraise the money to repair the Howson Dam.
This will be your legacy, Chris, Anita, Kevin and Ric for at least the next 25 years, as people will point their fingers at you and say that you are responsible for raising their taxes. Shame on you.
Rennie Alexander
Wingham resident and taxpayer
