Supporting citizen participation in democracy
The public fundraising campaign of the Centre Wellington Citizens' Coalition has reached its target for settling the legal costs issue with the Township of Centre Wellington.
"We want to publicly thank the thousands of area residents who have contributed," stated Randall Howard, Coalition co-chair. "Many people in our community are clearly upset with Council's unprecedented, undemocratic, and unwarranted action against its own citizens." Howard noted that support has come not only from residents of Centre Wellington, Elmira, Guelph, and Kitchener-Waterloo, but from concerned citizens across Ontario, including Ottawa, Brockville, Toronto, Sarnia, and many other communities. Following national media attention, donations were received from across the country - one even from Japan.
The Township held over 100 appellants "jointly and severally" responsible for its own legal costs incurred during court proceedings over the slots/raceway issue. It demanded payment of over $63,000 by the end of this month. The Coalition undertook a year-long fundraising campaign to protect the appellants from possible legal action by the Township, which could have affected individuals' ability to obtain mortgages, maintain their credit ratings, and engage in business transactions.
Coalition co-chair Olga Domjan noted that some residents could have lost their homes, and that appellants who are unemployed, low-income earners, or seniors on a fixed income were all very worried. "The Coalition has effectively prevented personal tragedies from occurring. But the Township should never have started down this road. It shouldn't have subjected its own residents to such punitive, even vindictive, action for speaking up on an issue that's critical to the future of our community." Domjan noted that the successful fundraising campaign has helped to build a strong organization which is now positioned to tackle other community-wide issues.
The Coalition's fundraising efforts have reached out to the community and beyond. The Harvest Hoedown featured musicians from across Wellington County, as well as a speech by former Toronto mayor David Crombie. Maude Barlow, chairperson of the Council of Canadians, donated her fee from her speech about water resources to the Coalition. Elora's Central Pentecostal Church hosted a Gospel Music Jubilee to aid the Coalition. The Coalitions' stand received national media attention and was supported by the Canadian Civil Liberties Association.
A letter has been sent to Mayor George Pinkney and councillors asking for a meeting to discuss the transfer of funds. The Coalition has repeated its request for the Township to direct the monies raised to Groves Memorial Hospital, to bring a positive end to this longstanding and divisive issue.
"We are still hopeful at this eleventh hour that Township Council will show respect for the groundswell of discontent which has followed their decision to collect these funds from their own residents," stated Coalition co-chair Harry Panjer. "We urge the Township to follow the County's lead and choose a course of action that will bring graceful closure to this unfortunate situation."
The County of Wellington has decided to target funds raised by the Coalition toward the development of the Trans Canada Trail. A fundraising campaign will begin this spring.
The Coalition will continue in its role of promoting citizen involvement in the community with an immediate focus on the issue of conserving groundwater resources. The Coalition will be sponsoring a series of public discussions on this vital matter.
For more information, please contact
Olga Domjan 846-8532
Randall Howard 846-0550
Harry Panjer 846-9292