Centre Wellington
Despite showcasing the support of a national watchdog group before a chamber packed with onlookers and media, the Centre Wellington Citizen's Coalition has failed to sway township council from dropping its claim for court costs related to Grand River Raceway.
"I think the council has made their position fairly well know," said Mayor George Pinkney Monday after the coalition made its plea for leniency.
"Unless someone was to bring forward a motion to re-open the direction to our solicitor, then that's certainly our position."
Silence greeted the question of whether any councillors wished to see the issue re-examined.
The coalition was ordered to pay the township and Wellington County's court costs after losing Superior Court and Court of Appeal challenges to stop Elmira Raceway from moving to Elora.
The new track is to feature 200 slot machines, which are not available in Elmira.
On July 22 a court-appointed assessor set the award amount at $86,040. On July 30 township council passed a resolution asking coalition memebres to repay the $59,800 owed Centre Wellington within six months.
Appearing before council as a delegation, coalition memebers hoped to convince council to forego or reduce the payment.
"It's my personal conviction that the coalition does not have the power to bring healing to the community, but council does," said coalition member and Pentecostal Pastor Don Rogers.
"And we only hope that you find the will to do that."
"Surely the township has a budget for legal costs," added fellow coalition member Randall Howard.
"Surely the township should budget for court challenges as part of its operations. Surely the council should expect legal costs when there is such widespread disagreement on such a fundamental issue."
Also appearing in support of the coalition was lawyer Stephen McCammon of the Canadian Civil Liberties Association, a national watchdog group.
McCammon said ordinary citizens who litigate public interest issues shouldn't be discouraged by having to pay the costs of the winning side, especially when that side is their own government.
"Democracy requires -- it depends on -- an active citizenry participating. They don't do this just by stepping forward and voting or presenting themselves as possible councillors. They do this by taking a stand between elections."
"It is our position that unnecessary impediments to such participation are impediments to a healthy democracy. Accordingly, we urge you to forgo taking costs from these residents and leaders that participated so vigorously in good faith."
With no change of heart coming from council, the coalition's last hope to see the costs reduced comes from the court-appointed assessor.
The coalition's legal team has asked him to reconsider the amount.
His decision is not expected until September.