My position on Council’s foolish anti-pet by-law

The anti-pet by-law passed by Haldimand's existing councillors makes it illegal to buy a goldfish or a budgie, but acceptable to have a pot-bellied pig or bison. Let's repeal this foolish by-law and work on the REAL problems in the County! Vote for Merlyn Kinrade.

While the county is facing serious economic problems Council felt the need to pass a new anti-pet by-law in August 2010. Suddenly 70% of all pets sold in pet stores across this province are now illegal in Haldimand. If your child wants a goldfish, a canary or budgie then you can no longer purchase these pets if you live in Haldimand County. However, you can get your child a pot-bellied pig or a bison. Pet supply retailers and the Killman Zoo have contacted the candidates to see which are willing to repeal this law.

The Cayuga Chamber of Commerce asked all Ward 2 candidates to answer the following question, “As one of several Pet Stores in Haldimand, we would like to know your views concerning the amendment to the by-law on Purchasing and Keeping Exotic Animals. Careful reading of this amendment reveals that it is no longer legal to purchase many ‘exotic’ animals including all reptiles, snakes, budgies, and the Guinea pig?”

Simcoe Reformer: Candidates ‘team up’ on Caledonia & wind turbine issues

Working together is nothing new for 'Open for Business Candidates' - 'Smokeshacks' news conference at Queens Park Media Studio, Dec 04/07: (L-R) Doug Fleming, Merlyn Kinrade, Brian Hagan, Gary McHale.

Candidates team up on Caledonia issue

by Monte Sonnenberg
Oct 18/10 

Three candidates in Haldimand have teamed up to bring block voting to the county.

Merlyn Kinrade of Caledonia, Gary McHale of Caledonia, and Doug Fleming of York are running for councillor positions in wards 2 (Cayuga), 3 (Caledonia) and 4 (Hagersville) respectively.

The three are campaigning on a common platform and are advertising themselves as a package deal. If elected, the trio will control half the councillor votes around the council table.

Don’t miss Doug Fleming at Ward 4 debate in Hagersville

Dec 04/07: 'Illegal Smokeshacks' news conference in Queen's Park Media Studio with (L-R) Doug Fleming, Merlyn Kinrade, Brian Hagan, Gary McHale.

The Ward 4 debate will be your final opportunity to compare an ‘Open for Business’ candidate with the competition side-by-side.

The Caledonia debate [see also] held last Wednesday was terrific – the packed room left knowing they had a clear choice, just as they do in Ward 4 – the status quo attitude of helplessness we’ve seen in Haldimand for four years versus leadership, determination and commitment to justice – from a man who spoke out for his community during its darkest times.

Cayuga debate attendees like ‘Open for Business’ candidates’ research

The Mayoral All-Candidates Night, sponsored by the Haldimand Federation of Agriculture was held last night at the Haldimand Agricultural Community Centre in Cayuga.

Although the debate itself was for mayoral candidates, all Haldimand candidates were permitted to have a display table, and Merlyn Kinrade, Gary McHale and Doug Fleming took full advantage to share their well-researched materials and expertise on important topics such as the land claim crisis and concern over wind turbines.

They received a very positive reception from many attendees who crowded their table,and who especially appreciated their research into the wind turbines issue. One commented that Doug, Gary and Merlyn had more answers than those already on Haldimand Council.

Kinrade, Fleming, McHale receive endorsements from Wind Concerns Ontario

We are pleased to announce that Doug Fleming, Merlyn Kinrade and Gary McHale have all received endorsements from the leading wind turbine moratorium advocacy group Wind Concerns Ontario:

Wind Concerns Ontario endorses the following candidates:

• Haldimand, Ward 2 – Merlyn Kinrade
• Haldimand, Ward 3 – Gary McHale
• Haldimand, Ward 4 – Doug Fleming

Merlyn meets concerned citizens re wind/solar farms

Last night Merlyn and the other ‘Haldimand is OPEN for BUSINESS’ candidates Gary McHale (Ward 3) and Doug Fleming (Ward 4) met with residents concerned about wind and solar farms planned for Haldimand County. 

Opposition to wind farms, in particular, is growing across the province – including in next-door Norfolk – due to concerns over their effects on human and animal health as well as the dangers they pose during catastrophic failures and/or fires.

“Last night, Norfolk council approved a motion to support a moratorium on the erection of any industrial wind turbines until rigorous scientific research has been conducted. The county will be joining 58 Ontario municipalities and 410 European organizations of the European Platform Against Windfarms (EPAW) who are seeking a moratorium.”

Key Resources

• Wind Concerns Ontario (very extensive list of resources)
• Wind Turbine Syndrome News (operated by Dr. Nina Pierpont, MD, PhD, author of Wind Turbine Syndrome

Human Health

• Dr. Nina Pierpont, MD, PhD, author: Wind Turbine Syndrome
• Calvin Luther Martin, Ph.D.: Your Guide to Wind Turbine Syndrome
• Wind Concerns Ontario feature: Health
• Wind Concerns Ontario: Videos
• Simcoe Reformer, May 26/10: Council supports moratorium [REPRINT]

Animal Health

• Wind Concerns Ontario, July 07/10: Kill rate of hawks, owls and other raptors most alarming (Wolfe Island, St. Lawrence River)

Safety – Fires & Structural Failures

• YouTube video (news report): Wind Power Can Be Dangerous (1.16)
• YouTube video: Wind Turbine Fire (0.49)
• YouTube video: Wind Turbine Accidents (0.55)
• YouTube video (news report): Wind Turbine Collapses Near Weatherford OK (2:18)

Off and running!

Campaigns for the three ‘HALDIMAND is OPEN for BUSINESS’ candidates opened with a bang today with their first co-op ad – a full page in today’s Regional News.

Merlyn and the other candidates need your help to make Haldimand the kind of place you want to leave your children to grow up in.

Let’s put Haldimand County BACK in BUSINESS together

Welcome to my 2010 municipal election website. As you can see, it is under construction. Subscribe to my email service at the top of the right sidebar to be automatically kept up to date of new developments in the campaign.

Merlyn