Councillor Mortelliti responds to last week's editorial

In regard to my notice of motion calling for a council resolution to oppose a natural-gas fired power generating facility within King Township, I would like to respond to your editorial of April 16, entitled "Mortelliti's motion maybe jumping the gun."

Your editorial stated: "Assuming a property in King gets the nod (and it's important to point out that nothing has been decided yet), then the Township will be called upon to deal with issues of zoning, building permits, etc. Does the municipality want to go on the record of having opposed something before it was even formally proposed? Is there not a danger that such quick action could come back to haunt the Township, in the event of an appeal?"

In regard to dirty industry within King Township, I believe it is never too soon to say "no," even at the risk of "jumping the gun."

Fundamental to the submission of this motion is that I believe that we need to be on a path that fosters a culture of conservation, combined with the advancement and utilization of clean renewable resources. With each passing year, we endure more smog alerts and ever increasing changes in weather patterns. It is becoming clearer to me that this is an issue of significant socio-environmental impact.

Per Township staff report JR-2008-03:

"Should it be determined that no proposal provides sufficient benefits to warrant the establishment in King Township, council could refuse to support any of the applications. Its is not clear at this point if the Township's support or refusal to support any particular proposal will ensure or preclude the ultimate site(s) selected by the OPA."

I have gone along with the premise that if King is selected; we need to be prepared for it. And if we have no choice in this matter, then I believe council has been responsible by being proactive in preparing for its inevitability. But that should not preclude this council from taking a position now.

I believe our primary responsibility must be in securing the necessities of clean air and water for ourselves, and our posterity. And if we can't entrust our government with that responsibility - then who can we?

Furthermore, if there are members of this council who believe that this could possibly be a good thing for King Township, then here is their chance to explain why to the people who elected them. But aside from any "benefits" that a gas-fired power generating facility might provide for this Township - and this is what makes my answer to the following question an easy one - at what price do we trade the clean air over King Township for smog?

For me there is no price - it is simply not for sale. And for posterity, I will be requesting a recorded vote.
Cleve Mortelliti,
Councillor - Ward 1,
Township of King