Letters

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Like Council, they are hiding their commitment to bring the worlds largest nuclear dump to Saugeen Shores under the guise of a search for more information. They are now attacking members of the community who have the courage to challenge a process that could bring all of Canada’s Radioactive Nuclear Waste to Saugeen Shores. Like most reactive leaders, they are attacking the symptoms: signs and acts of protest, while ignoring the real problem, the lack of leadership, from a Council that has stopped listening to their constituents.

Your elected Council, has unanimously rejected your concerns and is following the Nuclear Waste Management Organizations manual on how to deal with people who oppose the dump. Councils complete lack of response to February correspondence from Chief Kahgee, the Chief of Saugeen 1st Nations objection to this process, is further evidence of the influence of the NWMO on this Council.

Local residents who oppose the Nuclear Dump are now being victimized, accused of being: book burners, promoters of horror films, part-time or new residents with no rights, radical and uninformed and finally this week, cheaters who are misleading others.

The Southampton Residents Association has 700 members who represent a cross section of this community. Some are third generation families who have lived and worked in this community for decades, others are retirees who were attracted to the vision of this community with its pristine beaches, world class sunsets, and the quality of life in this small and united community. Our Association has chosen to Champion the Vision of Saugeen Shores that makes it a special place, one of the few special places like this left in the world.

The Southampton Residents Association has a solid record of positive community leadership including support for community projects like: the historic lighting on High Street, the Jubilee Assessable Park and the Southampton Memorial Hospital Auxiliary.

The SRA supports Nuclear Energy, we recognize the importance of Bruce Power and OPG in the production of clean, cost effective energy for the province as well and the positive economic impact on our community. We acknowledge a need for a long term plan for the management of used Nuclear Fuel which is important in the pursuit of a new build at the site.

This process may make economic sense to OPG, and the Nuclear Industry; the Nuclear Waste Management Organization will spend millions trying to convince us that this is the best place for Canada’s nuclear dumpsite. Our position is simple, we know that Bruce Power is currently operating the largest nuclear facility in the world. We do not believe it makes sense, to also locate the largest nuclear waste dump in the world, here on the shores of Lake Huron. The research is clear, the stigma attached to a nuclear dump will reduce property values and will have a negative impact on tourism, and will deter future retirees from coming to Saugeen Shores.

During the next 15 years of process and hearings, there will be no new jobs, the community will face years of indecision and conflict, followed by 20 years of a boom bust cycle of 500 construction jobs, followed by 400 operational jobs and then eventually 100 permanent jobs.

Some of our supporters are employees of Bruce Power and OPG who share our concerns Those of us who are opposed to the Nuclear Dump do not have a conflict of interest, we are not acting in self interest, we are involved because we care about the future of Saugeen Shores. We are being attacked by articles written by authors, who have family working in waste management at the Bruce, by current employees of Bruce Power and by retirees from the nuclear industry who have family members with applications for employment with Bruce Power.

We are not radical, tree hugging, anti-nuclear protestors; we are your friends, neighbours, and caring residents of Saugeen Shores who have the courage to endure the insults and name calling. Why, because we believe the local Council’s decision to enter a process that could bring all of Canada’s Highly Radioactive Spent Nuclear Fuel to Saugeen Shores will change this special place forever. We do not want our community to be branded as,” Canada’s National Nuclear Dumpsite.”

Ken Robertson

President

Southampton Residents Association

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Friday, July 06, 2012