MZO Masterclass

Our Council has applied to the  Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs to issue a Ministerial Zoning Order (MZO) for Picton Terminals.  Prince Edward County Council has been ineffective in managing Picton Terminals, has given up representing County Residents, and is now looking to the province to pick up its dirty laundry.

How we have got to this point represents a masterclass in exclusionary, non-democratic (and perhaps amateurish) local government. Despite overwhelming public opposition to the development of Picton Terminals, Council has twice engaged in a secret ballot to advance the wishes of Picton Terminals. Not once has an elected official gone on record to explain what the perceived benefits of approving the Picton Terminals case may be. (In the context of what Picton Terminals wants to achieve, the issue of grain shipments is irrelevant.)

There is a veritable herd of elephants circling the Picton Terminals room, none of which have been effectively addressed to date: environmental issues, traffic, noise, a net loss to housing and farmland, the conversion of acres of farmland into a quarry, the already disastrous state of Highway 49. The vast majority of Prince Edward County’s residents consider that the approval of Council’s request for an MZO would lead to an increase in health risks, and a significant deterioration in quality of life.  

Are we sure in an objective way that these negative outcomes WILL occur  — no.  Have the proponents of the scheme demonstrated in an objective way that these negative outcomes WILL DEFINITELY NOT occur? Absolutely not.

Is it worth rushing this process through, and effectively side-stepping the need for a systematic assessment of all these negative effects?  Most people would say no. Most people do not trust that the politicians involved would have the best interests of Prince Edward County at heart. Yet the issuance of an MZO would forever eliminate the assesment of these risks, and leave future generations of County residents vulnerable to things that haven’t been properly assessed.  Meanwhile, Picton Terminals would be running all the the way to the bank.

I have written separately to the Minister to urge him to hold off the issuance on an MZO until the proper environmental, and other assessments, have been completed and the perceived benefits of the scheme have been explained to the citizens of Prince Edward County.

Walter Thompson, Prince Edward County 

Thoughtless Blocking

I am increasingly disturbed by the behaviour of some councillors around the horseshoe. During discussion of a file, these councillors tend to ask few questions or raise any substantive concerns. Most have nothing to offer towards the discussion, either for or against. They just sit there. Yet, when the vote is called, they vote against! 

Last week the County Arts Plan was presented. This 80-page document represented a year of hard work, was well presented, and will yield huge returns with a small annual financial outlay. Support of this file should have been a no-brainer — but it passed by just one vote! Most of those voting against raised no concerns. The councillors in favour spoke in huge support for the plan. This doesn’t make sense and seems to reflect “thoughtless blocking.” 

The exception for these nay-sayers, of course, is if the file happens to be one that this group supports for whatever reason. Such was the case with Picton Terminals. The public still has no idea what happened behind closed doors, but this group of opposers were all in favour of a frankly frightening and dangerous settlement. (I do note that one councillor who voted in favour raised a question which apparently led to their vote). As a concerned resident, I will be joining many, many others who will be writing to the province to Say NO to the MZO!

County staff who present at Council meetings appear to be hard-working, thoughtful and articulate. The planning staff in particular demonstrate a huge commitment to working closely with developers, outside professionals and residents when concerns are raised. Staff and many councillors are working hard to bring more attainable and affordable housing. 

Residents across the County expect councillors to bring forward issues of personal/neighborhood concern, but also to wisely consider and plan for the GOOD of everyone today and towards a healthy and prosperous County for our children and grandchildren. The latter goal is being actively obstructed by this group of opposers. My hope is that this changes — soon.

We all know that the job of a councillor is hard and often thankless and I am grateful that people step forward. It’s wonderful when there is a healthy competition for these positions. As also when voters are engaged. I hope that the public thinks long and hard when it’s time to vote again. Is YOUR councillor asking relevant and thoughtful questions at the table? Does their vote reflect a willingness to discuss, compromise and brainstorm to help EVERYONE move forward?

Penny Morris, Picton