Don’t target waste ‘messenger’

Letter to the Barrie Examiner – August 10 2010
(Re: ‘Recycling battle will create another Site 41’ in the July 23 edition of the Examiner)
This letter concerns me.
In it, the writer attacks Stephen Ogden for stopping Site 41 and sending garbage to Oro- Medonte Township.
Mr. Ogden did not decide to send the garbage to Oro- Medonte, Simcoe County council did.
It is in charge of residential waste for Simcoe County, not Stephen Ogden.
I think Mr. Ogden’s point to the citizens of Oro-Medonte is to understand the issues and obtain details of forthcoming projects that affect your community.
You have the right be involved with your municipal and county level governments, and to hold them accountable for decisions they are making on your behalf.
Do not trust the Ministry of the Environment to protect your environment.
However, if we want to talk about Mr. Ogden instead of the topic of whether a long-term contract with a private firm on Oro-Medonte’s, non-commercial municipal property, in a former gravel pit, offering no protection and posing many potential risks — let’s do that.
Stephen has dedicated his life to countless boards and charities, and helped with numerous projects.
Stephen and his wife Susan have been advocating for a complete change in our approach to waste disposal for three decades. More than 20 years ago, the ‘Why Wye Citizens Group’ tried to initiate a comprehensive recycling program including composting — for all of Simcoe County.
The ‘Why Wye Citizens Group even had provincial funding on the table. The County of Simcoe was not interested.
This would have reduced the waste stream by 35% and drastically reduced greenhouse gas emissions from landfills.
Finally, in 2008, Simcoe County started separate organic waste collection.
Unfortunately, it is easier to target Mr. Ogden than to discuss the topics at hand in a open and transparent way, which the citizens of Oro-Medonte deserve.
Anne Ritchie-Nahuis Elmvale