New Year's resolutions

We're only a few months into 2012 and the majority of New Year's resolutions that might have been made by our town council - and many residents - are likely a fleeting distant memory.

We can guess on resolutions that were made but not kept or maybe even never made.

Zero tax increase - obviously with a 3.75 per cent tax increase for 2012 nobody will say this resolution was made or kept. It's pretty typical. There seems to be no vision here by council to come up with something really groundbreaking - mostly just more of the same. In this term of council we've already seen taxes go up by over six per cent - in two quick years.

Infrastructure - we have no new information or updates on GO expansion to Clarington, not enough progress getting the 407 built in one swoop to the 35/115 nor any excitement generated by council on Darlington new build - albeit we have some good news on refurbishment. Fighting the incinerator has been left to a local environmental group.

Council cooperation - far too many contentious votes are still split 5-2 down partisan lines with no sign of any change soon. Public bickering does not serve the public nor council. Councillors need to remember little is served by senseless opposition and steamrolling every vote doesn't make for an inclusive council.

Note: the photo you see above is of the new Shoppers Drug Mart that opened up last weekend in Courtice - the sides have been adorned with remarkable pictures depicting early settlers to the area. If you haven't seen them yet it's worth walking up there and taking a look.

Next blog I'll take a look at the direct election of our regional chair. There is an upcoming public meeting April 4 at 10am about electing our regional chair.

Big spenders on Clarington council and incinerator battle heats up

As promised way back in April here is my quick look at the election spending results.

As you can see at Clarington's 2010 election financial statements in the end the  big spenders were Ward 1 councillor Joe Neal, Ward 2 councillor Ron Hooper, Ward 4 councillor Wendy Partner and Wards 1 & 2 Regional councillor Mary Novak.

They all spent more than their opponents - in some cases more than double - to win their respective seats. Probably the biggest surprise is that Mayor Adrian Foster and Wards 3 & 4 Regional councillor Willie Woo - both of whom market themselves as prudent watchers of the purse strings and not tightwads - spent significantly less than their major opponent yet won the election.

It's been a busy few months - council has continued bickering and one councillor was even thrown out of the chambers. With the second fall of the global economy, the ongoing wrangling over new build at Darlington and the GO expansion there's going to be no shortage of topics to deal with once council comes back from its - sort of deserved - summer break. 

One of the final incinerator showdowns is Aug. 17 at the official groundbreaking ceremony and local groups are already mobilizing. There is also a lawsuit pending and the Region has asked for more time. Why? My guess is to prepare a counter lawsuit. In the past the Region has not hesitated one moment to play hardball and it looks like they are preparing their batting order.

Next blog I'll take a look at the fallout from the event.

Bring on the nuclear jobs

Clarington has officially been searching for an expansion of the Darlington facility for
years now - whether it was the ITER energy project or now with nuclear new build.

We've already got refurbishment of the existing reactors in the works and this should kick-start the new Courtice Energy Park.

Several local representatives made a strong delegation in favour of new build at the recent Darlington New Nuclear Power Plant Project Joint Review Panel held in Courtice March 21 to April 8.

Promotion of new build in Clarington is the smart thing to do - Clarington needs the local jobs and with potential new nuclear build in Ontario this municipality has the right mix to make it happen - an existing nuclear plant, political support and community support.

In a perfect world we would use almost no energy and get power from renewable resources. But given the reality of power needs in Ontario and right here in Durham that's not a serious prospect.

The recent disaster in Japan doesn't change this - we don't face a tsunami although the possiblity of a terrorist attack remains troubling - because OPG, which operates the Darlington facility, has been very clear about elevating security in the area. 

Kincardine Mayor Larry Kraemer, whose community hosts the Bruce Nuclear Generating Station, pointed out at the hearings that no matter what energy creation source is selected there are pitfalls and advantages. The advantage of nuclear is a stable source of power and jobs - both of which we need.

At the end of the day Mayor Adrian Foster, Regional Councillors Willie Woo and Mary Novak, and Local Councillor Ron Hooper did what they needed to do - sell Clarington as the best place for new build in Ontario during the official Clarington delegation.

NOTE: Don't forget to do your part on Earth Day 2011 - there are a number of events going on including a tree-planting by the Central Lake Ontario Conservation Authority.

In my next blog I'll look at the 2010 Clarington local election financial statements posted on the Clarington website.