Nelson Aggregate issue: “Let them eat stones”

By Wendy Gabrek New Tecusmeth Times

Myrtle Brighty, a 90 year old resident of Kingsmere Retirement Living in Alliston, is taking a stance against the proposed gravel pit in Adjala–Tosorontio. On her own volition, Myrtle created a petition that she took door-to-door in the residence, explaining the issues surrounding the gravel pit and the potential environmental impact. She achieved 77 signatures in just a few hours.

Taking things one step further, Myrtle is now working with Janet Bubgell, a former municipal councillor and activist (who has presented her anti-gravel pit opinions to Adjala–Tosorontio council). Together, the ladies held a letter writing forum on Monday afternoon. The deadline to halt the process of constructing a sand and gravel pit in Tos is Monday, March 9th, through the Ministry of Natural Resources. The MNR must resolve all written objections before the process can continue.

Although Myrtle has no children to continue her family name, she says what she’s doing is important, and she feels obligated to take a stand. “They’ll ruin the atmosphere, the environment and the water,” she told The Times. The proposed gravel pit, owned by Nelson Aggregate Co., would be located on the 13th Sideroad at the 5th Line in Tosorontio. The project would likely bring one truck every 85 seconds through the Alliston community, en route to destinations in Barrie and Toronto.

With the population expected to double in New Tecumseth over the next 15 years, those fighting the gravel pit ask, “What will our future generations eat if all of the prime farmland is taken from us to build pits (that are never rehabilitated)? Stones?”. Bubgell will be submitting the letters by the March 9th deadline to the MNR and hopes this will stop the process for further review on the impact this will have to water, endangered species of birds that use the land, roadways and the environment.