Local residents exposed the duplicity

Editor:

I thank Clearview Township’s Deputy Mayor, Barry Burton, for responding to my concerns in last week’s letter.

Mr. Burton did point out that the Beeton Woods landowner was caught illegally cutting trees in January 2012. However, he neglected to mention that the landowner’s name is Tecumseth Estates Inc.  He also neglected to mention that the company had a residential development plan filed with the township when the special agriculture permit to clear-cut trees was requested from Simcoe County.

Beeton Woods was located along an old rail line, a proposed Trans Canada Trail route, so many residents felt affinity for the protected woodlot.

It was the local residents that exposed the duplicity and who convinced AWARE Simcoe to fight.

When Tecumseth Estates Inc. withdrew the proposal for residential development, AWARE Simcoe lost the legal suit. Simcoe County allowed the special agriculture permit and the residents of New Tecumseth lost one of their last woodlots.

Rick Milne, Mayor of New Tecumseth describes AWARE Simcoe as “a group that is trying to help us run a better government and be our eyes and ears out there”. AWARE Simcoe stood with the residents to hold Tecumseth Estates Inc. and Simcoe County to the intent of the law.

Simcoe County’s legal costs were $23,485, however, the County only opted to recover an arbitrary $5,000 that will be used to “plant trees”. Tell me again that Simcoe County is not in vindictive pursuit of a SLAPP.

Donna Baylis,

Dunedin.