Villagers gathered in a historic stone hall last night were shocked and outraged to hear that their own Council has made them personally liable for more than $85,000 in court costs that were incurred by council itself.
Until the complete amount is paid, none of the people on Council's list of appellants can sell their house without Council taking $85,000 off the top. Even worse, until this is settled, no appellant will be able to renew a mortgage or borrow money. People who own a business will be cut off from transactions through the County or Council. Residents were told that the total is getting larger every day as interest costs have been mounting for months.
For background information go to the CWCC website at: cwcc.info
"This could have a traumatic effect on many families. In many cases there are husbands wives and grandparents who are all liable" stated Olga Domjan of the Center Wellington Citizen's Coalition (CWCC) which has been trying on the residents behalf to get Council off this destructive path.
The CWCC has asked to meet with Mayor George Pinkney.
"We urge council to work with us to find a solution that will not further divide this community" stated CWCC member Harry Panjer. "They still have an opportunity to step back from this dangerous precipice."
At the meeting many options were put on the table and CWCC members reached a consensus on next steps.
"The Centre Wellington Citizen's Coalition is a grass-roots organization which will work with appellants to democratically decide on a course of action." stated Harry Panjer.
The CWCC will be communicating with each of the appellants. A community information and action meeting is being set up for Monday July 29.
A production crew from the CTV network program "W-5" has begun an investigative program on the situation in Centre Wellington. The cameras captured the following comments from other villagers.
"Surely council does not want to become infamous for taking unprecedented action against its citizens. We are aware of no other action of this magnitude by any council anywhere in Canada"
"Even one dollar paid to council on this basis is too much. There's an important democratic principle at stake which cannot be compromised"
"Surely we can find a win-win solution that will not further divide this community"
"Every dollar demanded by council robs worthy causes of badly needed donations. There's only so much money to go around."
"This action is intimidating for everyone. It's a threat to citizen participation in our community and sends a punishing message to everyone who wants to have responsible input into community issues".
"Council has the legal right to collect these court costs but we question their moral right. The courts only gave them the right to seek these costs. Council itself has decided to do so".
"This action by our county and our council is wrong. Dead wrong. We fully expected them to back off. Then we fully expected a dramatic reduction. Today's result and Council's refusal to comment shows once again that our local political leaders 'just don't get it'"
"The money that they want from good people in this community represents less than half of one percent of their operating budget". "Why they are doing this? If it is to be fiscally responsible with taxpayers money the public needs to be reminded that Council has effectively just given what amounts to a grant at the taxpayers expense of almost ten times that amount to the Woolwich Agricultural Society."
"The Citizens of this community have already raised funds through community donations to pay their own court costs of over $100,000. What Council and the County may try to collect is their own costs. This should be a normal cost of doing business".
"Whatever happens next --we're here to stay. This entire debacle only goes to show that we need a strong voice for citizens."
-30-
Olga Domjan 519-846-8532, Harry Panjer 519-846-9292