For Immediate Release
A group of very worried residents of Fergus and Elora are about to find out just how much money their Township and County Councils are going to collect from them. On Monday July 22, negotiations will determine the final bill for two years of court costs.
Centre Wellington Township and Wellington County are seeking over $100,000 but it is expected that this will be substantially reduced. Thousands of angry villagers however say they have already raised and spent more than that to pay for their side of the two-year court battle. More importantly they feel that even one dollar paid towards councils legal fees is too much because an important democratic principle is at stake.
"How in a democratic society can it be justified that costs are claimed against citizens who have acted in the public interest?" states Harry Panjer of the Centre Wellington Citizens Coalition, (CWCC). "Council may wish for this punitive action to deter residents from participating in future decisions but the outcome will likely be opposite."
The CWCC lost its battle through the courts to bring more thorough public participation to a Centre Wellington Council decision with major community impacts. Councils decision and the process it followed to allow a slots/raceway facility to be built, has divided this storybook community. The CWCC says that the acrimony could have been avoided and is urging Council to provide leadership to heal the wounds.
"At every turn in this sorry saga, we have urged cooperation and thoughtful moderation with Council," states Panjer, "Now at the eleventh hour - with the hammer about to fall - there is still a way out which does not send a chilling anti-democratic message to community-spirited residents."
The Coalition does not want Councils action to result in decreased citizen participation in future community issues. "If Council insists on collecting its costs, wouldnt it be in the best public interest to have this money go directly from citizens to a project which benefits everyone in our community?" Panjer stated.
Panjer noted that no matter what the financial outcome, the Coalition plans to continue making a significant contribution to community dialogue on important social and economic issues. The CWCC and thousands of concerned residents want to cooperate with Council to support and foster responsible participation in their community. A public meeting is being planned for the near future.
As sad, angry and deeply disappointed local residents see it, this is not about a slots/raceway anymore and its not about lawyers fees - its about freedom of expression and the right of citizens to participate without fear of retribution.
"Our experience is a warning to other communities," states Panjer, "This is precisely the kind of situation which underscores the need for citizen participation in local governance. Small town Ontario communities need the contribution of strong neighbourhood networks. Local Councils should welcome this participation - not try to shut their citizens down and out."
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For further information please contact:
Harry Panjer 519 - 846 - 9292
Olga Domjan 519 - 846 - 8532
For additional background information go to: