Marathon Delegation Meeting With Ministers At 2013 OGRA/ROMA Conference
TORONTO, ON – This week, a delegation from the Town of Marathon, including Mayor Rick Dumas, Councillor Terry Fox, Works & Operations Manager Brian Hyshka and CAO Brian Tocheri, are attending the 2013 ROMA/OGRA (Rural Ontario Municipal Association /Ontario Good Roads Association) Combined Conference where they have requested meetings with several Ministers to discuss issues affecting their municipality. The theme of this year’s ROMA/OGRA annual conference: Adding up the New Fiscal Reality.
The began for the Marathon delegation Sunday evening (Feb.24) with a meeting they requested with Minister of Environment, the Honourable James Bradley, regarding the province’s recycling programs and the former Marathon Pulp Inc. property.
WHAT THEY WILL DISCUSS/BRING TO MINISTER BRADLEY’s ATTN in regards to Provincial recycling programs: The community of Marathon has been actively recycling for 15 years. During that time, the municipality has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars better positioning ourselves to divert more and additional streams of waste and educating the public. We agree it is the right thing to do, but it has been difficult. MOE’s administrative and operational procedures for its diversion programs are extremely frustrating – particularly for a small municipality. For example, payments are slow, communications weak and waste service monopolies have little accountability for efficiency and effectiveness.
In regards to the Former Marathon Pulp Inc. Property: “In April 2012, the owner of the property, Tembec Industries, issued requests for proposals for the sale of the assets of Marathon Pulp Inc. In May 2012, Tembec selected a preferred proponent. The proponent’s business model includes environmental remediation while the site is concurrently redeveloped for industrial purposes. The developer has planned sustainable businesses that will employ displaced workers and benefit the local and regional economies. Negotiations with the MOE for authority to transfer the property have been painfully slow from everyone’s perspective. We hear again and again that the “Province is open for business,” yet we see more evidence to the contrary.
Although we respect the confidential nature of these discussions, the Town of Marathon is concerned that the delays in reaching an agreement with the investor will continue to erode the facility’s value, enhance environmental issues, and delay – or perhaps completely eliminate – a real opportunity of putting people and resources back to work.
The Town of Marathon would like the opportunity to elaborate on the economic potential of this site and the need for the MOE to work quicker in resolving outstanding issues with the proponent and Tembec.” Marathon OGRA/ROMA Delegation
Today (Tuesday, Feb.26) the delegation has meetings scheduled with Minister of Natural Resources, the Honourable David Orazietti (MPP Sault Ste. Marie) and Minister of Transportation, the Honourable Glen Murray.
The discussions with Minister Orazietti will include the issues around Marathon’s Long Term Waste Management Options, Aggregate Permitting, and also updating the Minister in regards to several matters of local/regional interest including including the Bearwise Program; Stillwater PGM Mining Development; and Marathon Pulp Mill.
WHAT THEY WILL DISCUSS/BRING TO MINISTER ORAZETTI’s ATTN regarding Marathon’s Long Term Waste Management Options:”On October 31, 2012, the Town of Marathon withdrew its application to the ERT for approval of the proposed Deadhorse Road regional landfill site. This was as a result of strong opposition from Pic River First Nation as well as financial and challenges associated with operating a site 64 km away from Marathon. Following an all-party meeting with representatives of Pic River, MNR, MOE, and MMA&H that failed to identify any constructive results, the Town of Marathon and Pic River agreed to forge ahead in attempting to solve Marathon’s and MNR’s (Pic River’s) respective landfill issues. The Town of Marathon would like to update the Minister on this long standing issue.
In regards to Aggregate Permitting: The mining industry requires access to aggregates in order to operate. The permitting process is onerous resulting in significant costs and approval delays. Furthermore, the MTO has first right of refusal on aggregates and is retaining prime aggregate areas without permitting. This causes private companies to go further away from their construction area to get aggregate, which increases costs to the company, which could deter development.
The Town of Marathon would like to discuss the aggregate permitting process with the Minister and seek ways in which the process can be streamlined.” Town of Marathon OGRA/ROMA Delegation.
The delegation has also requested a meeting with the Minister of Transportation, the Honourable Glen Murray which is scheduled immediately following their meeting with Minister Orazetti. Among those issues Marathon Council plans address with Minister Murray is a follow-up from the 2012 OGRA/ROMA conference when staff of the MTO advised that they were working with Stillwater and awaiting a traffic impact study and would work with the Town in ensuring safety and efficiency measures are addressed. Stillwater’s subsequent Traffic Impact Study indicated no major road improvements will be required to Highway 17 or Peninsula Road to accommodate the proposed mine development.
“The Town of Marathon would appreciate the opportunity to discuss the traffic impact study with the Minister and seek MTO’s concurrence that only minor upgrades will be required to safely facilitate worker and highway traffic as a result of the project as construction and operation of the mine will result in additional truck, worker and supplier traffic along Peninsula Road and crossing Highway 17 to the mine site.” Town of Marathon OGRA/ROMA Delegation
OntarioNewsNorth.com will be speaking with Mayor Rick Dumas following the conference to learn how these meetings went in regards to the success of the delegation in bringing important issues to the attention of the ministers involved. SUBSCRIBE to our English channel at www.youtube.com/KarinaHunter to receive notification when the interview is available to view.
