Author, Affiliation, Date:
Amy Zoethout, The Lucknow Sentinel, 29 March 2006
Body:
Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh Township Council was asked to consider the issue of peak oil production and the impact it could have on the township.
Wawanosh resident Tony McQuail attended the March 21 council meeting to discuss these issues that were addressed at the Second U.S. Conference on Peak Oil and Community Solutions Conference held in Ohio last fall. McQuail explained to council that despite new technology and major investments, world oil discovery has declined steadily for 40 years. He added that experts are forecasting a global peak in oil in 5-15 years, with a peak in natural gas following a decade later. And while dozens of options are being evaluated and huge investments are being made, “no alternatives are clearly evident.�
McQuail said that as oil discoveries continue to decline, oil production will follow.
“This is a significant issue for our society that is very dependent on oil,� he said, adding that once oil production reaches its peak and begins to decline, this will have a huge economic impact on our local communities.
McQuail applauded the township for embracing renewable energy in the wind turbines that have been placed throughout the township.
“We have a lot of potential in our community,� he said, noting that our rural communities will be able to handle the decline of oil better than urban communities since, McQuail said, “our residents are somewhat self-reliant already - wood back up heat, access to land to grow.� He also pointed out that the township has plenty of potential with its wind generators, land base for solar collectors, woodlots and its Amish community that uses live horse-powered farming.
“Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh Township has a lot of resources to make the transition post-petroleum easier than a lot of other areas will face,� said McQuail.
He noted that the township could also look at promoting car pooling amongst its residents, since rural transportation will be a big issue for this area, as well as looking at the electrification of part of its car fleet.
“The issue is not urgent, but it is important,� said McQuail.
Ambulance satellite station
Council agreed to allow the former Ashfield municipal office to be used as an ambulance satellite station that would serve the north Ashfield and Lucknow areas.
The township was approached by Huron County requesting the use of the office for a six-month trial period. Public Works Superintendent Kevin Cook explained to council that in order to meet a 15-minute response time, a location in that area was needed. An ambulance crew would be stationed there for 12 hours a day and would need access to washroom facilities as well as an office area where the internet could be connected.
“This would be a benefit to the ratepayers,� said Councillor Carl Sloetjes.
St. Helen’s Hall Donation
The township has received a donation of $2,631.90 from the West Wawanosh Township Historians to be used for improvements on the St. Helen’s Hall.
The donation was made from a percentage of the profit made from the sale of the history book “Reflections of West Wawanosh� which was published in 1996.
The committee requested that this donation be used to make improvements to the hall, at the discretion of the hall’s committee.
Ontario Disabilities Act
Council adopted recommendations made for review of three areas that need to be enhanced for accessibility, in accordance with the Ontario Disabilities Act.
According to the act, the township must annually review three specific areas where their bylaws, buildings and operations or procedures need to be enhanced for accessibility. Those recommendations for review included the Elections Procedural Manual, 2006, the new consolidated Zoning Bylaw, as well as the Ashfield Township Park Pavilion.
In a written report submitted to council from Deputy Clerk Linda Andrew, she explained that while there may be some issues that come to light in these three areas, they don’t have to all be addressed this year. The township does, though, have to demonstrate that they are making progress on these issues towards improving accessibility.
Amy Zoethout, The Lucknow Sentinel, 29 March 2006
Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh Township Council was asked to consider the issue of peak oil production and the impact it could have on the township.
Wawanosh resident Tony McQuail attended the March 21 council meeting to discuss these issues that were addressed at the Second U.S. Conference on Peak Oil and Community Solutions Conference held in Ohio last fall. McQuail explained to council that despite new technology and major investments, world oil discovery has declined steadily for 40 years. He added that experts are forecasting a global peak in oil in 5-15 years, with a peak in natural gas following a decade later. And while dozens of options are being evaluated and huge investments are being made, “no alternatives are clearly evident.�
McQuail said that as oil discoveries continue to decline, oil production will follow.
“This is a significant issue for our society that is very dependent on oil,� he said, adding that once oil production reaches its peak and begins to decline, this will have a huge economic impact on our local communities.
McQuail applauded the township for embracing renewable energy in the wind turbines that have been placed throughout the township.
“We have a lot of potential in our community,� he said, noting that our rural communities will be able to handle the decline of oil better than urban communities since, McQuail said, “our residents are somewhat self-reliant already - wood back up heat, access to land to grow.� He also pointed out that the township has plenty of potential with its wind generators, land base for solar collectors, woodlots and its Amish community that uses live horse-powered farming.
“Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh Township has a lot of resources to make the transition post-petroleum easier than a lot of other areas will face,� said McQuail.
He noted that the township could also look at promoting car pooling amongst its residents, since rural transportation will be a big issue for this area, as well as looking at the electrification of part of its car fleet.
“The issue is not urgent, but it is important,� said McQuail.
Ambulance satellite station
Council agreed to allow the former Ashfield municipal office to be used as an ambulance satellite station that would serve the north Ashfield and Lucknow areas.
The township was approached by Huron County requesting the use of the office for a six-month trial period. Public Works Superintendent Kevin Cook explained to council that in order to meet a 15-minute response time, a location in that area was needed. An ambulance crew would be stationed there for 12 hours a day and would need access to washroom facilities as well as an office area where the internet could be connected.
“This would be a benefit to the ratepayers,� said Councillor Carl Sloetjes.
St. Helen’s Hall Donation
The township has received a donation of $2,631.90 from the West Wawanosh Township Historians to be used for improvements on the St. Helen’s Hall.
The donation was made from a percentage of the profit made from the sale of the history book “Reflections of West Wawanosh� which was published in 1996.
The committee requested that this donation be used to make improvements to the hall, at the discretion of the hall’s committee.
Ontario Disabilities Act
Council adopted recommendations made for review of three areas that need to be enhanced for accessibility, in accordance with the Ontario Disabilities Act.
According to the act, the township must annually review three specific areas where their bylaws, buildings and operations or procedures need to be enhanced for accessibility. Those recommendations for review included the Elections Procedural Manual, 2006, the new consolidated Zoning Bylaw, as well as the Ashfield Township Park Pavilion.
In a written report submitted to council from Deputy Clerk Linda Andrew, she explained that while there may be some issues that come to light in these three areas, they don’t have to all be addressed this year. The township does, though, have to demonstrate that they are making progress on these issues towards improving accessibility.
http://www.lucknowsentinel.com/story.php?id=221547
