I received a disturbing email tonight from a good friend, former Councillor Chuck Charlebois. It is very disappointing to learn that the Federal Government is reinstituting this oil tank farm use on the City's beautiful waterfront. Sadly, it is being reported on TheCornwallDaily.com that both Mayor Bob Kilger and MP Guy Lauzon were “not aware of anything going on there”.

PHOTO CREDIT - ChooseCornwall.ca

Stoney Point - December 5, 2013 - I received a disturbing email tonight from a good friend, former Councillor Chuck Charlebois. When I was first elected to Cornwall City Council in 1994, I was appointed to the Waterfront Development Committee and proudly served as Chuck's Vice Chair. In the mid to late 1990's, our Committee fought hard to see the successful removal of the unsightly oil tank farms near the harbour.

Countless Waterfront Committees since have sought to see those lands move forward as envisioned in the 2006 Waterfront plan. Unfortunately, land ownership challenges with the Federal Government have delayed those plans moving forward for over a decade now.

It is very disappointing to learn that the Federal Government is re-instituting this oil tank farm use on the City's beautiful waterfront. Sadly, it is being reported on TheCornwallDaily.com that both Mayor Bob Kilger and MP Guy Lauzon were “not aware of anything going on there”.

Clearly, MP Lauzon needs to answer for this debacle. How can he let this happen? Where are you Guy? You need to make this right.

Below is the email from Mr. Charlebois. More to come on this topic...
Only in Cornwall you say

They say its none toxic material that will fill those tanks. Does the lease say only none toxic materials can be used in the future? No one knows Will transports load product at the site for delivery to other sites What's the traffic impact, no one knows.

Will this give the neighbourhood and the Le Village area more heavy truck traffic and associated noise?

Apparently the powers to be checked with the City and where advised of the Waterfront plans for the area but that was not good enough.

They, Transport Canada apparently take the position that they need to generate money. Sounds good, however, could they of sold the property instead?

Would there be interested parties willing to buy or lease the lands and make it more compatible with the Waterfront plan dated 2006 and Cornwall Harbour project 2013?

Would the local developers be interested in buying or leasing the property including the Harbour? No one asked them.

Ah, but they say only a bit of the tanks will be visible, Oh really. Will this site be under site plan control and will they be required to assure noise buffers are in place and some kind of buffer to make it aesthetically pleasing? No one discussed that with residents, the BIA or current developers etc.

Where's the communication here?

Please let your thoughts on this issue be recorded and e mail Tina Morris at Transport Canada Tina.Morris@tc.gc.ca

At the very least the City should ask for a copy of the lease please use your reply all feature to reach all in this email.

Stop the project Now before they pour the cement slab Citizen of Cornwall are owed that much