Man. It's a good thing I have a thick skin!!

A good friend of mine sent me a reply he received from Mayor Lehman. The Mayor suggested he visit the following site and all would be answered and he could then feel all warm and safe and cuddly.

:Took the chance of enquiring of Mayor Lehman about the "facts" to which he referred. He directed me to the following link: http://www.barrie.ca/Living/projects/Documents/2012-05-24-Golder.pdf

===================================================================

The following is excerpted from The Advance. The full article can be seen at:

http://www.simcoe.com/news/cityhall/article/1364622--barrie-hid-contamination-developer

 

Barrie hid contamination: developer

“Negotiations didn’t get to the point to (discuss soil conditions),” - Barrie's infrastructure and development manager Richard Forward

Related Stories

• Allandale contaminated: court documents
  BARRIE - The Allandale Station – where crews worked to restore the historic station as well as build a tunnel...

BARRIE - Barrie staff knew the Allandale Station site was contaminated with mercury as early as February 2010 – but didn’t tell an appraiser, as talks with a developer faltered during 2010.
Nor did city staff tell councillors until just a few weeks before the decision to stop talks with the Correct Group Inc. (CGI), a division of the Correct Group of Companies, in December 2010.
A confidential Barrie memo dated Nov. 29, 2010 was the first time city staff told councillors about the dirty soil, although the city staff knew months beforehand. The memo was made public as part of court documents in a $28-million civil lawsuit launched by CGI against the city. CGI claims Barrie broke a preliminary agreement, breached confidentiality agreements and bargained in bad faith.
“Negotiations didn’t get to the point to (discuss soil conditions),” infrastructure and development manager Richard Forward told The Advance, when asked why staff kept the mercury contamination details private for so long.
“When you get to the point in negotiations where you talk about soil conditions, you come up with a soil remediation plan – but we didn’t get there.”
Mercury levels were deemed to be safe for industrial uses, he added, citing a city-commissioned examination that reported a level of 0.65 micrograms per gram.University of Toronto physical and environmental sciences assistant professor Carl Mitchell said that level is significantly higher than Ontario’s standard for parkland – which was one of the proposed uses in Correct’s plan.“I would say the typical background concentration in Ontario is 0.1 micrograms per gram to 0.15 micrograms per gram, so I’d say that’s four to five times (that level),” he told The Advance.
Low concentrations of mercury fall to earth in rain, as clouds pick up emissions from coal-fired power plants, he explained. Most of human exposure to mercury – which adversely impacts the central nervous system and could cause memory loss and aggressive behaviour – comes from fish, Mitchell said.
In January 2010, Barrie retained Golder Associates to examine the station site. The firm issued reports in February, April and July 2010.
Samples along the berm that runs along the north side of the site – the Lakeshore Drive area where the tracks once were – contained “metals including mercury”, but were below the “industrial/commercial standard … for potable groundwater use and coarse-textured soils”, the city acknowledged as it released a Golder Associates technical memo from May 29, 2012. The memo did not cite the specific level.
The report, however, adds should the site be used for a “more sensitive” purpose than industrial, such as parkland, two soil samples contain mercury above the acceptable standard – but still not dangerous. One was nearer Tiffin Street, on a grassy area where the lawn bowling club was located, where the highest concentration of 0.65 micrograms per gram was recorded.
“Potential direct contact with the soils on the site by the public, including children, is not expected to cause harmful effects,” the Golder Associates memo concluded.
But as part of the Allandale redevelopment plan, CGI had publicly talked about a plan that combined offices, retail and a hotel/condo, and when work began, a new YMCA was part of the plan.
“CGI views the city hiding the facts of the contamination to be in complete bad faith,” said CGI president Alan Furbacher.
“The city had previously stated that the lands were free of any contamination. The city obviously had concerns as they hired Golder on Jan. 27, 2010. CGI wonders why this information was not released then.”
In the November 2010 confidential memo that acknowledges contamination, Barrie staff estimate cleanup would cost $405,782.
“(Among) cities across North America investing in revitalization in their downtowns, it’s common to address soil issues,” Forward said.
He added Barrie did not inform a real estate appraiser in August 2010 about the contamination, because it was looking for a baseline value for the land.
“Appraisals start with certain assumptions to get a fair baseline. They don’t factor (contamination) in.”

When did Forward take out his Real Estate Appraiser's Licence?
Of course you factor in contamination. A contamination/brownfield designation also devalues the properties adjacent to the Brownfield.

Too bad Gowan Street owners.

========================================== 

==========================================

The professor who I will bet is more knowledgeable than the Mayor and Golder when it comes to the health of humans contradicts The Mayor and Golder.

But, let us also not forget the other bad stuff in the soil.

How about the lead - 100% more than allowed. They took lead out of paint years ago. No lead in childrens toys. Lead was used to make coloured dies brighter and glossier. They recently found lead in some toys made in China.

Benzene and a bunch of other "enes" are present and deadly. They cause cancer.

And Chromium! Don't get me started! Erin Brokovitch!!?? Enough said.

===========================================

 

Allandale contaminated: court documents

Related Stories

• Barrie hid contamination: developer

BARRIE - Barrie staff knew the Allandale Station site was contaminated with mercury as early as February 2010...

BARRIE - The Allandale Station – where crews worked to restore the historic station as well as build a tunnel and another GO station – is contaminated with mercury, a confidential Barrie report says.
Made public as part of a $28-million civil suit launched by the Correct Group of Companies (CGI), the Nov. 29, 2010 staff report says, “Environmental Assessment work indicates that there is mercury contamination on a portion of the property."
Barrie estimates cleanup would cost $405,782 – including $240,000 for hauling away contaminated soils.
Barrie has not reduced the $3-million price it’s demanding for the station lands. Indicom Appraisal Associates told Barrie it did not consider contamination when setting the price tag in August 2010, another case-related document says.
The price is one key element in CGI’s lawsuit that includes a certificate of pending litigation, which prevents any further action on the site.
Barrie is attempting to remove the certificate in court July 3.
“The city will resume efforts in connection with Allandale when the status of the certificate of pending litigation is known,” said Barrie’s legal services director Ingrid Peters.
When the city called for proposals in 2008, it asked for plans for a nine-acre site. Correct, along with the YMCA of Simcoe Muskoka, responded with a plan for stores, offices, a hotel/condo and a state-of-the-art Y.
Barrie chose Correct and the Y, agreeing to sell the nine acres for $2 million in May 2009.
In January 2010, the Y pulled out. On Aug. 20, 2010, Barrie obtained the appraisal for $3 million.
Correct offered $2.3 for just over five acres on Nov. 12, 2010, and on Dec. 6, 2010 – a month after the confidential report that acknowledged mercury contamination – Barrie told CGI its talks were over.
Barrie has since sought other partners, and went into exclusive talks with Mark Porter in February.
The suit has stalled any progress on the site.
Barrie is to appear in court July 3 to attempt to remove a Certificate of Pending Litigation.

==================================================================

       A little history on the development of the Allandale Station Lands and Allandale Train Station.

The 'Y' proposed to develop 9.1 acres called The Allandale Station Lands. They would also renovate the old Allandale Train Station.

They were a little long on desire and short on expertise and funds.

So, Councilor Alex Nuttall contacted Alan Furbacher, the President og The Correct Group. He was asked if he would be interested in working with the 'Y'. He said yes.

The Mayor of the day and the Clerk of the day signed a preliminary agreement with the 'Y' and The Correct Group. This agreement led the 'Y' and CGI to believe they were to move forward with the development.

Because the land was designated a Brownfield site it would be necessary to carry out an environmental assesment and ultimately provide the Ministry of the Environment a document called - Record of Site Condition (RSC).

The city will try to tell you the RSC wasn't needed because the land will remain commercial. But the drawings provided by the 'Y' and CGI clearly showed parkland and residential. The city in principle accepted the drawings/plans. So a RSC was required. To date, no RSC has been filed with the MOE.

Which brings me to this. The city boasts they have fully complied with the MOE, consulted with them throughout and have letters from the MOE telling Barrie they were doing a terrific job. Pardon my French. BULLSHIT.

The first date the MOE viewed the site was in June 2012.

The Allandale GO Station had already been built!
The Allandale Station was renovated already!

Where was the RSC!!!

Richard Forward in the preceeding "Advance" article states:    

“Negotiations didn’t get to the point to (discuss soil conditions),” - Barrie's infrastructure and development manager Richard Forward                     

OH Puleeze!!

The city knew about the contamination even while selecting the 'Y' and CGI to be the developers.

Richard Forward sits(sat) at some point on the Board of Directors of the 'Y'.

Richard Forward knew about the mercury contamination.

People including children use the 'Y''s facilities

That is what the 'Y' is all about.

How come Richard Forward didn't tell the 'Y' about the mercury lead and all the other harmful stuff?

Why didn't Richard Forward tell the 'Y' that to clean up the site it would cost $405,782? Why was the site being cleaned up? From what?

The 'Y' quit the project citing finances. CGI promised the city and the 'Y' that it was fully capable of building the whole site as per the plans and it would lease the 'Y' back to the 'Y'. Terms of their proposal would allow the 'Y' at any time to purchase their portion at today's price plus the building cost. That is a nice proposal. The 'Y' said NO. Why? Maybe they knew about the mercury?

The CGI people didn't learn about the contamination until after they launched their lawsuit.

The city had already offered the site for sale in 2009. Forecast/Porter did drawings and made a bid. The 'Y'/CGI did drawings and submitted their bid. And an un-named proponent also
did drawings and submitted their bid.

As we know, the 'Y'/CGI were selected and signed a preliminary agreement. In good faith, a preliminary agreement would need all party approval to dismantle. CGI , even after the 'Y' left was willing to proceed.

The city really acted petulent and in bad faith. Then CGI sued.
The city is trying to skate. The President of CGI opened the door and asked our Mayor to sit down with him and renegotiate. The Mayor refused. Outright. The Mayor has a fiduciary responsibility to protect the public purse. He should have discussed the situation with CGI.

Which brings me to the following:

===========================================
The 9.1 acre Allandale Site is deemed a " Brownfield ".
Barrie changed the name Brownfield to "Contaminated Site".

There are specific steps that must be taken when dealing with a Brownfield according to Barrie's own Official Plan,
============================================

3.8.1.1.1 CONTAMINATED SITES

a) Where a change in land use is proposed and either the previous or current use has the potential to have caused environmental contamination (i.e. industrial to residential), the site shall be decommissioned and/or cleaned up by the owner/applicant to the satisfaction of the City and the Ministry of the Environment.

This site was first put on the market in 2009!!

b) A Record of Site Condition and Certificate of Property Use in accordance with the Environmental Protection Act shall be prepared for contaminated sites and filed for public

access with the Environmental Site Registry.
 

A Brownfield is perceived by many as an indication that the property has existing contamination. As noted previously, this is not necessarily the case, and the value of a property

as well as the surrounding lands could decrease as a result.

=========================================
To date no RSC has been filed by the city of Barrie. Either for the Allandale Train Station Renovation or the Allandale GO Station.

Why Mayor Lehman?

=============================================


 

 

Here is a site diagram from Barrie's Planning Act.
No mention is made of the time frame the site was used for waste disposal.
The Allandale Community and the Allandale Station Lands lie within this area shown with the hash marks.

Below is the Lake Simcoe Watershed map which also emcompasses the Allandale Community and Allandale Station Lands.

Below is a chart from one of the Golder Reports. Notice their comment about possible fill placement.
Notice also that they are primarily looking for metals.

Golder in its report makes particular note about their Health and Safety concerns when working at Allandale.

Golder Engineer's Report Phase II

If you would like a pdf copy of this report, send an email to me at:

ramsayresources@yahoo.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

More crap to deal with than any man should have to!

This is from Barrie's Official Plan

(g) Development shall be directed away from hazardous lands

adjacent to streams and lakes that are impacted by erosion

hazards. The erosion hazard limit of lakes and streams shall be

determined using the guidance manual prepared by the Ministry

of Natural Resources.

(h) Development shall be generally directed away from hazardous

sites such as areas of unstable soils. A geotechnical soils report

shall be required prior to any development within or adjacent to

hazardous sites. This report shall be prepared to the satisfaction

of the City and the Conservation Authority.

This drawing shows Hotchkiss Creek Watershed which runs directly
through the Allandale Train Station Site and on into the bay carrying with who knows what kinds of deadly toxins. Hotchkiss Creek watershed takes in the garages on Gowan
and the car lots on Essa and some of Tiffin. Don't get me started.

Chromium-6 – the Erin Brockovich Chemical – Is Widespread in U.S. Tap Water

Tests find cancer-causing chemical in 89 percent of cities sampled

Chromium-6 in tap water of 35 cities averaged 3 times California's proposed safety goal

*Geometric average based on level of chromium-6 measured in 35 U.S. cities and a statistical estimate for the four cities where no chromium-6 was detected. The lowest level detectable by these tests is 0.02 ppb. For the purpose of calculating the nationwide average, the concentration of chromium-6 in these four cities was assumed to be 0.01 ppb, or half of the lowest detectable level.

**"Proposed safe limit" is California EPA's proposed public health goal (OEHHA 2009).

Source: EWG-commissioned testing for hexavalent chromium in tap water from 35 cities.

Executive Summary

Tap water from 31 of 35 U.S. cities tested contains hexavalent chromium (or chromium-6), the carcinogenic “Erin Brockovich chemical,” according to laboratory tests commissioned by Environmental Working Group (EWG). The highest levels were detected in Norman, Okla.; Honolulu, Hawaii; and Riverside, Calif.

Despite mounting evidence of the contaminant’s toxic effects, including a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) draft toxicological review that classifies it as “likely to be carcinogenic to humans” when consumed in drinking water, the agency has not set a legal limit for chromium-6 in tap water and does not require water utilities to test for it. Hexavalent chromium is commonly discharged from steel and pulp mills as well as metal-plating and leather-tanning facilities. It can also pollute water through erosion of soil and rock.

The National Toxicology Program has found that hexavalent chromium in drinking water shows clear evidence of carcinogenic activity in laboratory animals, increasing the risk of otherwise rare gastrointestinal tumors (NTP 2007, 2008). In response to this study and others, California officials last year proposed setting a public health goal for chromium-6 in drinking water of 0.06 parts per billion (ppb). This is the first step toward establishing a statewide enforceable limit (OEHHA 2009).

Levels of the carcinogen in 25 cities tested by EWG were higher than California’s proposed public health goal. Tap water from Norman, Okla. (population 90,000) contained more than 200 times California’s proposed safe limit.

Millions of Americans drink chromium-contaminated water

EWG’s investigation is the broadest publicly available survey of hexavalent chromium to date. The 31 cities with chromium-polluted tap water draw from utilities that collectively serve more than 26 million people. In California, the only state that requires testing for hexavalent chromium, water utilities have detected the compound in tap water supplied to more than 31 million people, according to an EWG analysis of data from the state water agency (EWG 2009).

Top five chromium-contaminated cities tested by EWG

City	City Population	Hexavalent Chromium Contamination Level in Tap Water
Norman, Oklahoma	89,952	12.9 ppb
Honolulu, Hawaii	661,004	2.00 ppb
Riverside, California	280,832	1.69 ppb
Madison, Wisconsin	200,814	1.58 ppb
San Jose, California	979,000	1.34 ppb

EWG's tests provide a one-time snapshot of chromium-6 levels in 35 cities. But chromium pollution is a continuous, ongoing problem, as shown by the annual water quality reports that utilities must produce under federal law. Over the years, nearly all of the 35 cities tested by EWG regularly report finding chromium (in the form of total chromium) in their water despite using far less sensitive testing methods than those used by EWG.

The total number of Americans drinking tap water contaminated with this compound is likely far higher than is indicated by EWG's tests. At least 74 million people in nearly 7,000 communities drink tap water polluted with “total chromium,” which includes hexavalent and other forms of the metal, according to EWG’s 2009 analysis of water utility tests from 48,000 communities in 42 states (EWG 2009).

The EPA has set a legal limit in tap water for total chromium of 100 ppb to protect against “allergic dermatitis” (skin irritation or reactions). Measures of total chromium include the essential mineral trivalent chromium, which regulates glucose metabolism, as well as the cancer-causing hexavalent form. Preliminary EWG-commissioned water tests found that in most cases, the majority of the total chromium in water was in the hexavalent form, yet the EPA’s legal limit for total chromium is 1,700 times higher than California's proposed public health goal for hexavalent chromium. This disparity could indicate significant cancer risk for communities drinking chromium-tainted tap water.

The EPA’s new analysis of hexavalent chromium toxicity, released in draft form in September 2010 (EPA 2010a), cites significant cancer concerns linked to exposure to the contaminant in drinking water. It highlights health effects documented in animal studies, including anemia and damage to the gastrointestinal tract, lymph nodes and liver.

Industry deception delayed protections

The plight of the cancer-stricken residents of Hinkley, Calif., who in 1996 won a $333 million settlement from Pacific Gas and Electric Co. for contaminating their tap water with hexavalent chromium, was the basis of the 2000 movie “Erin Brockovich,” starring Julia Roberts.

Subsequently, a 2005 Wall Street Journal investigation and a separate EWG report based on court documents and depositions from a similar lawsuit in Kettleman City, Calif. revealed that PG&E had hired consultants to publish a fraudulent analysis of cancer mortality in Chinese villagers exposed to hexavalent chromium, in an attempt to disprove the link between the chemical and cancer. The study was published in the respected Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, and scientists and regulators — including the EPA — cited the fraudulent article in research and safety assessments. The journal retracted the paper in 2006 in response to EWG’s request for corrective action.

California officials then conducted a rigorous re-assessment of the study data, finding a statistically significant increase in stomach cancer among the exposed. Their analysis is consistent with laboratory evidence from the National Toxicology Program and others showing that hexavalent chromium in tap water causes gastrointestinal tumors in multiple species.

Industry has sought for more than six years to delay state-mandated regulation of hexavalent chromium in tap water in California. Aerospace giant Honeywell International Inc. and others have stalled the adoption of the advisory public health goal by pressing for additional external scientific peer review. California’s Department of Public Health can neither set nor enforce a mandatory tap water standard for hexavalent chromium until the goal is finalized.

Recommendations

At least 74 million Americans in 42 states drink chromium-polluted tap water, much of it likely in the form of cancer-causing hexavalent chromium. Given the scope of exposure and the magnitude of the potential risk, the EPA should move expeditiously to establish a legal limit for the chemical in tap water and require water utilities to test for it.

The state of California must establish a strong standard for hexavalent chromium in tap water immediately. A truly health-protective hexavalent chromium regulation will reduce the cancer risk for Californians and serve as a model for the nation. With an enforceable standard already six years past the statutory deadline and the health of millions of Californians at stake, the state cannot move too quickly.

 ==================================================================================

Chromium-6 Is Widespread in US Tap Water

Cancer-causing chemical found in 89 percent of cities sampled

Laboratory tests commissioned by Environmental Working Group have detected hexavalent chromium, the carcinogenic “Erin Brockovich chemical,” in tap water from 31 of 35 American cities. The highest levels were in Norman, Okla.; Honolulu, Hawaii; and Riverside, Calif. In all, water samples from 25 cities contained the toxic metal at concentrations above the safe maximum recently proposed by California regulators.

The National Toxicology Program has concluded that hexavalent chromium (also called chromium-6) in drinking water shows “clear evidence of carcinogenic activity” in laboratory animals, increasing the risk of gastrointestinal tumors. In September 2010, a draft toxicological review by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) similarly found that hexavalent chromium in tap water is “likely to be carcinogenic to humans.”

In 2009, California officials proposed setting a “public health goal” for hexavalent chromium in drinking water of 0.06 parts per billion (ppb) to reduce cancer risk. This was the first step toward establishing a statewide enforceable limit. Despite mounting evidence of its toxic effects, the EPA has not set a legal limit for hexavalent chromium in tap water nationally and does not require water utilities to test for it. In 25 cities where EWG’s testing detected chromium-6 — in the first publicly available national survey for the contaminant — it was found in concentrations exceeding California’s proposed maximum, in one case at a level more than 200 times higher.

At least 74 million Americans in 42 states drink chromium-polluted tap water, much of it likely in the cancer-causing hexavalent form. Given the scope of exposure and the magnitude of the potential risk, EWG believes the EPA should move expeditiously to establish a legal limit for chromium-6 and require public water suppliers to test for it.

Letter to Metrolinx/GO

Good morning.

I live in Barrie in the Allandale Heights area.

Lately I have been contacting as many people as possible to discuss a serious contamination problem

in the lands at Allandale Station Lands.

This contamination consists of, but is not limited to, Mercury, Benzene, Lead and Chromium VI.

I believe a first environment assessment performed in 1996 identified some of this contamination.

In 2009/2010 Engineering firm Golder, on behalf of the city of Barrie, performed many environmental assessments and discovered worrisome contamination. In fact they recommended to the city of Barrie that they should remove as much of this contaminated soil as possible.

Metrolinx/GO later installed a secondary station and platform on these contaminated lands.

Were you informed about the contamination? Were your contractors informed about the contamination? If mercury is present, Department of labour insists individuals wear respirators and clothing that can be disposed of at the end of each day. Were the employees properly protected.

Piles of excavated and contaminated soils were placed onto the Allandale Station Lands, already contaminated, for up to 2 years. It would seem this soil was then placed back onto the GO lands.

During the time these piles sat on the Allandale Lands they would have leached their toxins into the lands.

I would hope that Metrolinx/GO would challenge the city of Barrie for FACTS. And at the same time,

in a socially responsible way point out to the citizens of Barrie and our visitors that there is a contamination

problem at your Allandale GO Station. This GO station sees many hundreds of people visit it each weekday. They are being exposed to contaminated run-off when it rains and to contaminated dust when the dry winds blow.

I hope to hear from you and to discuss my concerns.

 

 

This is a city drawing from the Allandale Community improvement plan.

The plan is dated September 2009.

It is covered under -

SCHEDULE A TO BY-LAW 2007-084

 

You will note that the GO Station for Allandale was slated to be located

in a much different place than it is in now.

When the city called for tenders to develop the Allandale Station Lands they used this survey of the area. Actually they would have provided a Site Survey that looked much like this picture but it would have carried more information such as surveyor's marks.

The developers would have relied on this survey to prepare their presentation documents. These documents would have shown a plan view on the survey indicating the placement of buildings, parking sidewalks and landscaping.

However, with the GO Station now moved to a location where it eats into the space allotted for the developers. It shows the city is not playing fair in its bidding process.

The winning developer, CGI Group, is now suing the city of Barrie for upwards of $80 million.

This could all have been avoided if the Mayor and Council had played fair.

The developer, CGI even called Mayor Lehman to ask for a meeting where they could settle this problem. Mayor Lehman did not consult with council. He just outright refused to meet. He cannot do this under the law.The Mayor
should have consulted with Council.

 

My main concern throughout all that I write is the safety of the Barrie Public and visitors to this city. I believe and it has yet to be proven that our drinking water has been compromised.

Stand up and be counted. Write to the Mayor and your councillor and demand they own up and come clean.



Just read an Engineer's Report on the soil and site conditions at the Allandale Train Station. Wow. Have we got some dangerous things happening
Site contamination where lead levels are 100% over acceptable. Run off into the storm sewers and into Lake Simcoe suspected.
Email or phone the City Clerk and ask for the cities site report from back in 2010.
It supposedly shows mercury contamination. Mercury is one of the most toxic metals known to man and woman. Mercury can breach the placenta and enter the fetus.
Scary Huh??
Why didn't the city let its citizens know?

Settle the Lawsuit Pretty Please!!



 

Please Leave me a comment

for all to see!

 

If you would like a pdf copy of

any of the environmental reports

send your request indicating which report to:

 

ramsayresources@yahoo.com



 

 

 

 

 

OOOPSY!!

 

The city of Barrie continues to spend our money.

They installed a really large storm sewer recently

intended to connect the end of William Street to

Kempenfelt Bay.

 

However, instead of taking the route most direct, the city, for some reason, took a hard right at the end of William Street, down Gowan to approx ½ way on the Allandale Station Site. They then took a hard 90-degree left turn and ran the large sewer through the contaminated lands.

 

I don’t get it. I really don’t. The city could have ran

The sewer across Gowan and connected to the short service road that leads to Lakeshore Drive. And thus avoid the contamination. They should have and could have avoided screwing up the site for further development. They could have followed the course I have outlined, and then after the developer who takes over the site starts to build he could run connecting sewers.

 

Of course that would happen if the city of Barrie finally decides to listen to reason. If the city of Barrie saves the hard working taxpayers a lot of grief and extra money by settling the CGI lawsuit quickly.

 

The city of Barrie is wrong. There is a bunch of contamination remaining at the site. They should have told all of the prospective developers and the citizens about the contamination a long time ago. If they had we wouldn’t be in such a bad position.

Look, when they installed that big sewer they rested it on a bed of sand and gravel. So now the chemicals and metals and other bad stuff just whoosh towards the lake, into the bay.

 

The city of Barrie needs to stand up and protect its citizens. Our health is directly at risk. They must check into what the levels of contamination are and figure out a way of cleaning up the bay.

 

Right now, the city of Barrie has dug up a lot of soil and trucked it away to a company in the Toronto area.

This company, Green Soils, is charged with “cleaning the soil of poisonous/hazardous materials”. Then under MOE guidelines it will dispose of this soil. And this process is very expensive.

 

Just as soon as the contaminated soil was removed, new soil arrived. Now the city of Barrie is involved in a process of “cover and mitigate”. That means spreading new soil on top of whatever bad stuff remains. Then planting grass and flowers and maybe trees.

 

I doubt any new contractor will be willing to think about developing this property. Why would they?

 

Rumour has it that the contractor who installed the storm sewer was not aware of the contamination on site. And was pretty shocked when he found out!

You see, if there is any risk to his employees from say higher than acceptable levels of Mercury, his employees must use respirators when working at the site. And they must dispose of their clothing each day.

Mercury is very serious contamination. A drop the size of the head of a pin will contaminate 25 acres of water.

WOW!! And mercury will pass through the placenta into the fetus. It is the only metal known to be able to do this.

 

I grew up with many relatives who owned construction companies. I knew when I was as young as 10 to stay away from Mercury.

 

But Mercury is not all of the bad stuff that contaminated the soil and now I believe has trickled into the Bay and our drinking water. There is lead, benzene, chloride, sodium and that real bady – Chromium.

 

Erin Brokovitch is a real person and now is an environmental lawyer. Julia Roberts portrayed her in a movie bearing her name. She fought against the establishment who tried in every way to thwart her efforts. Chromium was the culprit and it was having a deleterious affect on the health of a community.

She studied hard and fought hard and even though she had not yet become a lawyer she won. And won big. $300 million dollars.

 

Yes we have a lawsuit against us the citizens of Barrie. And I wish the city of Barrie would just end it. Meet with the CGI people and work out a settlement. Because if this drags on and the proper remediation is not performed on the Station lands, we the citizens of Barrie could be in for a huge Class Action lawsuit.

 

Please. Mayor Lehman and Council. Fix this problem. Please!!

 

 

 

You can help!!

 

Call on the Mayor and your Councillor to put

An end to this!

 

Ask them to settle with the developer and save us a whole bunch of money!

 

 Here are two more important reports!

 

June 12, 2012

 Click on each page for a larger view

 

 



 

 

 

 

September 27, 2012