NDACT ‘thank-you’ event drew 1,500 to Honeywood arena

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Published on Thursday, 22 August 2013 21:01

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As many as an estimated 1,500 Food & Water First supporters kept things alive at North Dufferin Recreation Centre (Honeywood arena) Sunday as North Dufferin Agriculture and Community Taskforce (NDACT) provided space for 52 indoor vendors as a sort of “thank you” event.

The numbers might have been difficult to confirm. Nanci Mallouk, a Melancthon councillor and Museum representatives, estimated there were about 500 attending in the arena at any given point. But people were constantly coming and going, vehicles were parked along the roadway almost as heavily as at any annual barbecue, and Carl Cosack estimated up to 1,500, based on the number of riders on his hayrides.

Mr. Cosack is the spokesman for NDACT and was chairman of Sunday’s event. NDACT is currently following through on its quarry victory by promoting a concept of Food and Water First for all rural planning.

“You can’t grow food in a Petri dish. Maybe you’ll be able to in 100 years but, if so, let the people a century from now plan that way. Right now, food depends on farmland. If a country can’t grow enough food for its people, and has to import its food, it is no longer sovereign.

“Why would you make a one-time use (a pit or quarry) out of agricultural land that could grow 20 tons an acre,” he asked rhetorically.

“This is not a political issue.” Conservation of farmland “is just better planning.” Mr. Cosack said he and NDACT are grateful to the media, and in particular to Dale Goldhawk, who dedicated broadcasts to the mega-quarry issue and is continuing to support NDACT’s efforts.

Mr. Goldhawk was also at the NDACT thank-you event as a speaker Sunday. Members of his audience said he was supportive of efforts to protect farmland and water sources. Joan Lever said he “seems to be following what’s happening up here” and getting the message out to lots of people.

Bill Lishman and his “wild goose guide” ultra light aircraft were welcome visitors to the event. Mr. Cosack said the Lishman craft “buzzed” one of his hayrides when it was at the Jeremy Little property at the top of the Niagara Escarpment overlooking the farmland that would have become a megaquarry.

Those trips to the top of Ontario proved to be a delight for visitors from outside the region, many of whom said they had previously had no idea of what the area offers.

It might have been their first opportunity to have a first-hand glimpse of the rare water and land resources Dufferin County offers.

Those resources appear safe for now. But NDACT is maintaining its vigilance and awaiting with interest the report on the Aggregate Resources Act review – which is presumably due soon.

By Wes Keller

Published in the Orangeville Citizen, Aug. 22, 2013

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