Proudly serving the community of Essex and surrounding areas.
Vol. 135
A LOOK INSIDE Watson pumps up supporters PAGE 2 _______________
Thursday, September 17, 2015
Issue No. 37
Council vows no new housing developments until flooding issues are resolved
Essex Council Notes PAGE 3 ________________ Run to Remember supports Sunshine Camp PAGE 8 ________________ K of C works to keeps kids warm this winter PAGE 15 ________________ Block Party celebrates wellness
PAGE 17 ________________ Canadiens fall as 73’s raise OHA Banner
PAGE 28 ________________
Looking For A Good Home
“MAX” See Page 5 for adoption info.
Flooding Task Force member David Cassidy leaves his seat to address Council at a meeting Tuesday night.
by Jennifer Cranston At a special meeting on Tuesday to consider rezoning part of the Galos Subdivision on Morris Dr., Hundreds of angry residents flooded the council chambers over sewage back-up in their basement. They wanted all new housing construction in Essex Centre to be halted until the problem
of record flooding in the town could be solved. Councillor Larry Snively was one of a majority of Councillors in favour of halting new development. “This problem has got to be solved–plain and simple,” he said. “How can we have new development when the existing facility can’t handle the water we
have now?” Councillor Randy Voakes who was also in favour of the freeze until the problem is solved, responded. “It’s not plain and simple,” he said. “If it was we wouldn’t be here.” Voakes then addressed developer Remo Valente directly and explained that while the town welcomes
his investment, the flooding issues must be solved first. “No one has worked harder than this council, this administration or that man right there,” he said pointing at Director of Infrastructure and Development Chris Nepszy. “The first step in arresting the problem, is arresting development.”
Many spectators were belligerent and impossible to keep in order. Several times Mayor Ron McDermott threatened to clear chambers. The special meeting was held at 5 p.m. A regular meeting was scheduled for 6 p.m. where there would be further discussion of flooding in Essex Centre, with a presentation by engineers from Stantec Consulting Ltd. By the time this meeting began, residents had filled chambers at the Civic Centre until several stood behind administration and council. Police officers had also been called in. When the Mayor made a motion that only two representatives from the Town’s Flood Task Force Committee be allowed to address Council on behalf of all the residents, the crowd again became out of control. At one point David Cassidy of the Task Force stood up and walked the semicircle of councillors and administration shouting angrily. The presentation,
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