Don & Julie Joyce's Letter To The Editor

Below is a copy of a letter we have sent to both the Napanee Beaver and the Kingston Whig-Standard. We will modify this letter and send copies to the reeve and all councillors.

See you at the meeting on Sunday.

Don and Julie Joyce

To the Editor:

We are writing to express our opposition to the proposed intensive hog farm operation on the Slack property located in Erinsville, near Beaver Lake.  The arrogant disregard of one self-serving property owner will destroy the quality of life for all other property owners and taxpayers for many kilometers surrounding this repugnant venture.

As the owners of cottage property on Beaver Lake, we spend all summer, every summer enjoying the rustic, peaceful beauty of this quaint corner of Ontario. The fresh air, clean water and quiet rural setting is what attracted us and led to our decision to invest hard earned dollars into property there.

We make a point of spending our money locally. We shop in and around Tamworth and hire local trades people as the need arises. We had been in the process of hiring tradespeople to take on some interior renovations at our property. The prospect of significantly reduced property values, foul air and polluted water has caused us to put these plans on hold. We believe it would be foolhardy to sink any more money into a holding that could soon lose up to 50% or more of its value. At the proposal stage, Mr. Slack's venture is already negatively impacting the local economy.

We could sell, but who would want to buy this property?  How enjoyable will an early evening canoe trip be with fecal scented air and coliform-infused water? Water-skiing will only be possible in a well-sealed biohazard suit.

Even if we retain ownership of our property, how much time will we want to spend in this soon-to-be toxic community? All four of our family members are asthmatic.  Our lungs could not withstand the increased air-borne ammonia and foul scent that accompanies the regular agitation of the manure holding tanks. Will we have to truck in water to wash ourselves and our dishes? Certainly, the lake water would not be fit for use. What about the local wildlife, already threatened by zebra mussels
and over development? Will high-coliform counts and ammonia run-off be the death knell for that fragile ecosystem?

Who will pay the increased cost to maintain local roads that will be strained by the dramatic increase in heavy trucks required to regularly transport livestock and manure? The province has already downloaded responsibility for the former Highway 41 to the municipal level. The township is struggling to maintain local roads under current conditions.

The only answer will be increased costs to local taxpayers with decreased enjoyment of the local environs. All of the benefit will be to Mr. Slack.

What benefit will this proposed operation be to the local community? Mr. Slack has stated that it will bring approx. 1.5 jobs to the area. Impressive. Factory farms are real money making ventures for the primary operator. Mr. Slack believes he is sitting on a real gold mine. Unfortunately, hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of dollars will be lost to local businesses as cottagers desert the area in droves.

What of full-time residents in this already economically depressed area? Will they be able to afford to abandon their primary dwelling or will they have no choice but to endure the negative health and economic effects of the factory farm? Will Tamworth and Erinsville be the ghost towns of the future?

It is time for Mr. Slack to stop trying to hog the benefits of Erinsville for his porcine venture. He needs to tuck his curly little
tail between his legs and retreat from his ill-conceived and selfish plan.

Sincerely,
Don and Julie Joyce