Page 4 - June 15, 2017

Editorial
Plan review
should help, won’t
stop legal battle
It may seem like stalling, but we think giving Lambton County’s dra o cial plan another go-over isn’t a bad idea.
e planning document has been in the works for more than ve years now. ere has been lots of time for public input - we covered meetings with well over 100 farmers who voiced their concerns several years ago.
But recently, a group called the Concerned Landown- ers Legal Fund has been raising dire warnings about the e ects of the plan on private property owner’s rights.
Its spokesperson, Elizabeth Davis-Dagg, contends if
the county agrees to the plan, which lays out natural heritage areas showing wetlands all over the county, property owners won’t have full access to their land anymore. She says they will be unable to build or farm it for fear of damaging wetlands.
e group has threatened legal action and the county’s lawyers are looking over their concerns. Some politi- cians believe their concerns are exaggerated.
But some believe if the plan were explained to the concerned citizens, a lot of the worry would be eased. Others believe some changes are still needed to the document which will shape development for the next 10 years. We believe all that is possible during the four months ahead.
We also believe that though some or all of these goals could be accomplished, it is unlikely Lambton County politicians and sta will be able to please everyone - particularly when it comes to natural heritage areas. at’s provincial jurisdiction and likely will remain a thorn in the county’s side for years to come.
e review will allow time for cooler heads to prevail and minds to be changed, but it is unlikely to stop a legal challenge.
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Page 4
The Independent
Thursday, June 15, 2017
Our Story
Long before the current Petrolia Farmers’ Market opened behind the Petrolia Library, the local market was held next to the Town Hall. This picture from Petrolia Heritage, shows the opening day in Sept. 13. 1913.
Petrolia Heritage Commi ee Photo
Giving thanks for the Garden Fairy of Petrolia
Heather Wright
My gardening prowess or lack there- of has long been fodder for jokes in my family, by my friends and neighbours and even in this column. But I have no fear of that teasing anymore for I have been visited by the Garden Fairy.
Recently, friends began to inquire about my gardens. “Are you going for that long-grassy look this year?” asked one with a grin. I smiled and joked about lack of time and thought nothing more of it. Except when I climbed the steps each night.
Of course now he knows he should have been more gracious
Each day, since the heavens began to open in March and pour forth rain, I walk up my front sidewalk, glance at the owerbeds and heave a sigh before opening the door to collapse on the couch.
Then, Monday, Barry phoned in shock. The owerbeds were practically, well, owerbeds.
to the Garden Fairy since I’m so pleased.
Each day, the “wild owers” grew
a little wilder. The “prairie grasses” grew a little taller. My desire to do something about the growing concern was far less than the energy I knew
it would take to accomplish the task. So, each day the sigh grew larger as I passed by.
The weeds had been mysteriously pulled and placed on the grass during one of the hottest days of the year.
Now, many of you - including my friend Karen Douglas who is one of the best gardeners I know - may not believe in the Garden Fairy but I do.
He was so ummoxed that when the Garden Fairy poked its head up from among the remaining weeds, he blurted out
I choose to believe that Fairy is like a kind neighbour who just likes to help a friend. And I thank that Garden Fairy named Karen.
“What are you doing here? Don’t you have anything better to do with your life?”
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