Hydro Sale Rally Planned

Tuesday, 27 May 2014 18:38

The sale of Woodstock Hydro to Hydro One has left some customers in the dark about why they weren't allowed to have their say.

WOODSTOCK -- A public rally is being planned for next week next to City Hall regarding the sale of Woodstock Hydro after some citizens felt left out of the city decision to press forward in selling Woodstock Hydro shares to Hydro One for $46.2-million.

Rally organizer and former City Councillor Dave Nadalin says the lack of public consultation and lack of public meetings around the sale of the utility made a rally necessary.

"It should have taken place given the fact that the word was out there If anything it was needed to sort of educate the public about this. It goes along with the Art Gallery decision, there is merit and possibly there's other things, but it should have been educated to the public beforehand, and that's what upsets a lot of people, when these decisions just happen."

Nadalin called the Mayor's remarks, (that anyone had a chance to consult council about Woodstock Hydro since October) a smokescreen and a red-herring, saying the announcement of the agreement to sell last week without a even a public meeting creates suspicion, especially since Woodstock tax payers are the lone shareholder of Woodstock Hydro.

Councillors also voted in favour last week of holding public meetings on June 16 to which Mayor Pat Sobeski says residents can come and ask questions and look at the entire deal with Hydro One staff in attendance.

"You need a formal public process to deal with issues," says Nadalin. "Anyone can call a councillor or call the mayor and ask questions and discuss it, but to have a forum like a public forum where there's interaction as Tillsonburg has done is really the only responsible way a council should go in a democratic society."

Nadalin adds he feels the group of tax payers who felt "by-passed" by the decision is growing.

"It's getting a good reaction and I'm actually kind of overwhelmed with some of the conversation. I knew there was a group that were upset, but I can see this being really a feeling of discouragement across the community,"

There is also concern with the legality of the short notice for the meeting last Wednesday to pass a purchase by-law by Council, something Nadalin says provided little or no opportunity for Council to consider discussion from the public, the sole shareholder of the utility.

Nadalin says he's also included himself on the council agenda for next week to discuss the issue.

Next week's rally happens Thursday, June 5th at 5:30pm on the Reeve Street side of Woodstock City Hall.