Dear Editor,
Shortly before the referendum I read in the news where Mayor Mark Goetz said he was hopeful that this process would lead to a more unified community.
Well he was right on one point … the overall turnout was close to 70% indicating a unified concern over the vote and an understanding that the outcome could be life changing for all of South Bruce residents. And above all … that everyone had a say in it. It was also a turnout more than enough to make the final vote binding on council. And the headlines will read South Bruce supports hosting site for deep geological repository!
But the reality is different.
This municipality is dead even split on the proposal. And if you’ve lived in this community long enough you are probably not surprised by the outcome. You may recall the Mike Harris years of the forced amalgamation of Mildmay-Carrick and Teeswater-Culross, only to be followed by futile local efforts to de-amalgamate. Small was indeed beautiful and manageable at one time.
And through the years I would have to say, every council was aware of that divide and made every effort to make non partisan decisions. Equitable decisions and policies that were made for all residents.
It is only too bad that by the binding dictates of this referendum, and a split vote of 51 to 49 they must now make one that will only divide this community even further.
David Wood, Mildmay
