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Warden Tony Guergis remains convinced he did the right thing last week

Warden stands firm on Site 41 despite criticism

BY Laurie Watt July 05, 2007 11:07

Despite angry Springwater residents calling for him to quit over a flip-flop on Site 41, Simcoe County Warden Tony Guergis defended his actions by saying he voted in the best interests of the county.

More than 100 protesters gathered outside Springwater’s council meeting Tuesday, to increase pressure on the warden to live up to his campaign promise to fight Site 41. On June 26, the Springwater mayor was one of 16 county leaders who supported starting site work on the Tiny Township landfill site that will serve North Simcoe; now trash from the four northern municipalities goes to county dumps in Springwater and Oro-Medonte townships.

“I have made the correct decision for the greater good of all residents of the County of Simcoe, in this case in particular, to serve the needs of those living in Tiny, Tay, Penetanguishene and Midland,” said Guergis, who will wrap up his one-year term as warden in December.

“I have reviewed the studies, listened to the technical experts and the conclusion is that, as distasteful as landfills are to all of us including me, there is no other viable option and we must move forward. All experts say that Site 41 can be constructed to be safe (for) the environment and all water resources.”

Disgruntled Springwater resident Colin Elliott said his group will lobby his town council to publicly debate the Site 41 issue, while the group continues to pressure Guergis to resign.

“Our mayor has no conscience, so it’s hard to appeal to it. How do you shame a person who has no shame?” said Elliott.

“We’re going to pressure council to step up or get out.”

The angry protesters could not speak at this week’s Springwater council meeting, because they had missed the deadline to appear as a delegation. Elliott said his group is endeavouring to make it onto the July 17 agenda, so they may speak to council.

But Guergis said the town’s council has no jurisdiction over waste management.

“The issue of Site 41 is a county issue, and while I understand that some residents in Springwater are concerned, we won’t be debating it at Springwater council because it’s not a Springwater issue and because really, the debate is over,” said Guergis.

“Some critics accuse the county of rushing into this. But this has been under consideration since 1979. I ask you, is that rushing into it?”

Guergis added that the Environmental Assessment (EA) process is a very thorough process, which resulted in the choice of the southern Tiny Township site.

“The fact is, Site 41 has been through a very thorough business case. That’s what the Environmental Assessment process is. Over 40 sites were looked at and everyone agreed at the time it was the preferred site,” he said.

“I hear those opposed to Site 41 and I do understand their frustration, but what I think they are not willing to listen to and accept is that there are no technical arguments left to be made. I have weighed all the information and I cast my vote on June 26 because there were no other viable options.”

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