By Vince Rossi
July 15, 2014
BURLINGTON, ON.
It has been suggested that I am suing a number of people who have publicly opposed the expansion of the Burlington Executive Airpark to try to shut them up. Nothing could be further from the truth.
The fact is I welcome debate on the future of the Airpark, the important role it plays in our community, and the future potential it represents in terms of jobs and economic opportunity.
The reason I am suing is because despite repeated attempts to reason with this small group of people, they continue to knowingly spread false information that is damaging both to the Airpark and to me personally.
Seven different reports by independent third-parties including Halton Region, the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Environment Canada, and Pinchin Environmental have found no safety issues with the commercial fill we have been using as part of the planned expansion of the Airpark. These same reports conclude that local well water and soil quality are not being negatively affected by any of our expansion activities.
Despite this overwhelming evidence, the opponents of the Airpark continue to engage in fear-mongering. They rely on a single report that is full of errors and omissions – so much so that it has been discredited by the provincial environment ministry.
If they were being completely transparent, they would admit that this is a run-of-the-mill commercial dispute. Nothing more.
The leader of this group owns a horse farm just north of the Airpark. She apparently feels that we cannot co-exist even though the Airpark at its current location since 1962. It’s equally apparent that she feels she is unlikely to gain much sympathy if the public knew the true nature of the dispute, and that it revolves around her own financial interests.
Despite all the evidence to the contrary she and others insist in referring to the single flawed report. Trust me, if I could get them to stop suggesting that local well water is being contaminated without having to go to court, I wouldn’t be in court. As it is, going to court is my only recourse.
The Airpark is a key transportation and training facility that also provides a vital humanitarian role, facilitating organ donation flights and patient transfers to local hospitals that don’t have heli-pads or landing facilities. Police, military and search and rescue teams regularly use the Airpark, as well.
In short, the Airpark is an essential community and regional asset, and the case for expansion is compelling. It will create even more opportunities for employment, training and economic development in our area.
I welcome discussion on the future of the Airpark and I am more than happy to work with my neighbours and the community at large to find a way forward. My only request is that we stick to the facts.
Vince Rossi is the owner of the Burlington Executive Airpark.
Seriously Rossi?
You are suing the Burlington Gazette because it published information along with photographs and the editor’s informed opinions about what you have done to rural Burlington…and yet you have no problem with expecting it to publish your own information and opinions on this matter?
Have you not just proved the value of inclusive and participative dialogue amongst concerned citizen in this region which the Burlington Gazette provides us – the very same value you are trying to ban?
Case dismissed, Rossi. And that’s strike four.
Mr. Rossi, what about the fact that you’ve apparently damaged the Sheldon and Cousins properties – to the point that I understand you’ve rendered their properties unsaleable in the future.
Flooding, towering landfill hills abutting their properties,(look at the photo within this article), complete loss of scenic value, ponding, damage to their lands, west nile virus mosquito populations – these and other negative conditions have been reported to be as a direct result of your fill operation for the LAST FIVE YEARS.
From all that I’ve read and heard, you’ve destroyed the ability and rights of these folks to enjoy and work on their lands.
You never seem to mention the parts of Ms. Warren’s and Mr. Dennis’ public statements that reveal this issue. Why is that?
Are you guilty or not guilty for causing such horrific damages to the neighboring landowners, Mr. Rossi?
Mr. Rossi: There is no DEBATE once you ruin property and lives.
In actual fact, the ‘debate’ that Regional Council had over a year ago on June 19, 2013, in response to your destructive fill operation and your ‘flight of fancy’ to expand the airpark, already took place. And in case you forgot, you lost.
Just like you lost the hearing in October and the appeal last month. Strike three, Mr. Rossi.
That debate is available for all to view on Halton’s Region’s website:
https://sirepub.halton.ca/mtgviewer.aspx?meetid=1093&doctype=AGENDA