Some Members Of Council Just Don't Get It

Councilor Brennan

Councilor Johnstone

Really Don't Understand

At Monday's council meeting after politely listening to forty delegates speak passionately in favour of retaining the Colliery Dams and replacing them according to Councillor Pattje's earlier motion, it was clear that both of these councillors don't believe the water levels can be controlled over the winter months.

Even after Mr. Earl put forward a proposal that would keep the water levels at a safe level over the winter Councillor Johnstone asked if it would be possible. Clearly she has been told by staff that it is not possible.

Councillor Brennan in fact went on at length defending her decision to remove both dams, claiming it was not possible to lower the water levels over the winter time. I sent Councillor Brennan an email seeking clarity on her statement and asked why she was convinced that removing the dams is the only way to lower the water levels. Her response was troubling in that she said she was a councillor and that I would have to ask the engineering dept. for the answer, yet she had insisted removal was the only option. Obviously she has been told that removal is the only option, which clearly it is not.

I have now  asked Mr. Kenning for his official opinion as to whether removal of the dams is the only way to address the winter water levels in the dams. I will publish his answer here when it is received.

I suspect he will say that is his belief as that would be consistent with the answer I got from Mr. Sims about two weeks ago when I asked him the same question. Mr. Sims does not believe a siphon could be used to control the water levels over the winter. I have asked him to supply the information he is relying on to come to that conclusion, but have not had an answer.

Are Councillors Making Decisions Based On False Information?

If these two councillors have made their decisions to proceed with complete removal because they believe they don't have any other options, their decisions are understandable. However, if those decisions have been made as a result of misleading information supplied by city staff, that is something which needs addressing in a very clear and precise manner.