Thanking someone you can't stand

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Published on Friday, 02 May 2014 00:13

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Hatred is a pretty strong word, and as I get older (more mature) it’s a word I’m inclined to use less and less.

A word that I once used freely now makes me bristle. Nonetheless, one of the many things that the mega quarry battle made me acutely aware of, is how the shared loathing of an entity and often the person at the helm of that entity, has a very mobilizing effect on a community. 

There were the usual community events to get the folks of Melancthon and Mulmur together to jam once in a while, though everyone would likely agree that nothing got everyone out quite like the impending environmental disaster. Goliath was in our midst and it seemed like everyone was up in arms together. I enjoyed the outing of the head of Baupost – Seth Klarman.

An investor out for only the money, who cared nothing about the social impact on a defenceless community. A community that had, in his words, the weakest regulatory environment which made it ripe for a huge rezoning application. It was entertaining to vilify him and how he looked great adorned with cartoon horns in one effigy that was circulated.

Surely the besieged community could be allowed to have just a little fun, since there wasn’t much to be had considering the financial and irreversible social costs. And somehow, even in the early days amazing things started to emerge.

Those who weren’t up to protest marches drew upon other skills. Artists against the mega quarry formed and provided a beautiful way to object. Linda Montgomery asked her OCAD students to design posters on the issue. The output from that project was nothing short of brilliant – an art show unto itself that made the rounds at events and hung in politicians offices. There were many hidden talents in the community that emerged. And for those of us that had no special skills to offer, there was getting our hands into the muck – literally and metaphorically speaking — and enjoying the sheer fun of doing event stuff together.

I thought the best friendships were necessarily formed early in life, but I have gained treasured friends and met people who are an inspiration despite the fracturing their community endured. This is a common sentiment amongst those of us in North Dufferin and beyond. So take pause this day and every day and think of all that emerges from such arduous campaigns. Thanks Seth! Finally, those who faced having a hug pit in their midst can also take some delight from the newly redone Laverty barn on Hwy. 124. Behold the Highland name is gone. Check it out.

By Shirley Boxem,  NDACT Vice Chair

Published in the Orangeville Banner, May 1, 2014

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