MILESTONES Hundreds celebrate Gord Leonard’s life

By Douglas Glynn Midland Free Press May 31 2012

WYEBRIDGE — They came to say thanks to Gord Leonard on Sunday. 

An overflow crowd of more than 300 people packed the Wyebridge Community Centre and spilled out on to the lawn to celebrate the life of a man whose legacy they will recall every time they have a drink of water. 

The farmer and nursery operator -credited with playing a key role in stopping landfill Site 41 – died earlier this month at age 64. 

His brother, Ross, recalled how Gord’s role as a husband, father, grandfather, neighbour, farmer and nurser yman expanded to include hydro-geological engineering and political lobbying. 

“He became a spokesman who could translate and relay all the various site design, water tables, soil analysis, technical reports and political statements into a language his family, friends neighbours and concerned residents could understand. 

“When Gord was confronted with information he didn’t understand, he researched and questioned everyone until he could make sense of it all.” 

When he first learned about the landfill site that was to be created next to his farm, Gord Leonard became concerned about it’s potential impact on the vast aquifer of water that stretches from Georgian Bay to well beyond the Oak Ridges Moraine. 

“Contaminate that water, and all the farms around it will die — mine included,” he warned. 

Because his farm was within three-kilometres of the proposed dump, he managed to get himself on the Community Monitoring Committee. 

Relying on his experience and documents he saw while sitting as a member of the community monitoring committee, he challenged claims that the dump would be safe because it had an upward gradient. 

“I know, from my own experience, that there is no upward gradient component to that aquifer. I’ve dug my share of wells. I know.” 

He warned that a downward gradient would actually suck escaping landfill toxins into the aquifer and affect the water supply of thousands of people. 

In September, 2009, following a summer of protests, County councillors voted to abandon the site as a landfill, effectively ending the battle GordLeonard had begun in 1984. 

“Sometimes it seems like a helluva lot longer than 25 years,” he declared when asked his reaction. 

“I’m glad they killed the site,” Leonard said. “I’m ashamed it had to come to a head like this. I’ve lost a lot of respect for the county. It used to be that (county councillors) were well-respected. I think that all changed around 2000.” 

Many people have praised his tenacity during the years-long battle. 

“We never would have won the battle if Gord hadn’t been there…had not been persistent,” said Site 41 opponent Steve Ogden.

“Gord, his wife, Bev, and their son, Darrell, jumped on it from day one. He never let go even after it seemed we had lost. Gord and Darrell somehow got hold of the details about the liner. That was the county’s Achilles heel.” 

Anne Ritchie Nahuis, another long-time Site 41 opponent, said she appreciated Gord’s dedicated service to the community. 

“Gord was one of those people whose kind deeds came easily and often. He was always in the background working diligently with his wife Bev. 

“When battling the county, he was always polite, honest and forthright. He researched the issue, understood the process and participated in a respectful manner. 

“Thankfully” she added, “he didn’t listen when people said: It’s a done deal. You can’t do anything about it’!”