A local advocate group called Water Wells First will continue handing out "shame awards," despite recent legal action threatened by a Chatham-Kent councillor.
The group started handing out 'shame awards' at the beginning of the year to raise awareness over what they're calling a "crisis." Water Wells First claims that the pile driving and vibrations created by wind turbines are causing sediment to contaminate the well water in certain areas.
During a public meeting Tuesday night at the Country View Golf Course, spokesperson for the group Kevin Jakubec issued another apology to Councillor Jeff Wesley -- one of the recipients of the 'shame award.'
"No personal insult was meant," he says. "I apologize to Councillor Wesley and his family again."
Water Wells First is giving Chatham-Kent Councillor Jeff Wesley its second shame award. February 24, 2017. (Photo by Paul Pedro)
Water Wells First was threatened with legal action shortly after the announcement was made and has since removed all online material regarding Wesley.
However, Jakubec adds the group will continue handing out "shame awards," saying the concept appears to be working.
"We will continue the shame award tactic because the shame award as we've shown tonight is effective," he says.
Jakubec showed part of a video posted on YouTube of the first 'shame award' being given to Boralex Inc., which is working on the proposed Otter Creek Wind Farm project.
"That was extremely important," says Jakubec. "Had we not done that we wouldn't have acquired that video, and boy is that ever worth bringing that back to the community, to show what we have to do in order to protect and prevent a water crisis."
Since posting the video online, Jakubec says the number of social media followers has been growing. He adds now that they're getting more attention from the public, he would like to see more interest from the municipality.
Jakubec says he's hoping to see councillors and even the mayor come out to a public event this Thursday to hear from a hydrologist on private studies being done on local well water.
Both meetings will be held on March 9. The first will be held at 1357 Nelson St., Wallaceburg at noon; the second will be held at 7823 BayLine, Dover Township at 1pm.
