Haldimand is shut out of the $450 million of Provincial money. Wow! I am really getting anoyed by the treatment this County is receiving from both the Province and the Feds. Apparently it is possible to receive Provincial money to build a new rec centre, but when Haldimand County wants to upgrade waste water infrastructure in Hagersville to increase capacity and thus attract more business to the area, it all of a sudden seems to be impossible to get hard needed dollars for that! The County is only looking for $8.4 million for that project!
Furthermore, there was some money available from the Feds to replace cast iron water mains in Dunnville, a photo-op was set up and a cheque for $1.265 million was handed over by our MP Diane Finley, but now it has become clear that that money was not even formally approved.
What is the cause from all this? Does it have to do with the internal problems our council ha(s)d in order to function as a cohesive unit? Is it because the continuing problems in Caledonia? Is it because the County is looking for compensation in a recovery program? Is it because there are several community groups working on their own agenda and creating a blurry picture of what is best for Haldimand County? It may be a bit of everything at this point.
Maybe the Province and the Feds will not take us serious because of these issues and figure that there are only 45.000 people to please in the area. I think our council has decided to unite (except for councilor Dalimonte!) and I think the residents should unite as well behind their council! (I still do not like the way they work together).It is time to resolve the outstanding issues.
