The war of words over the Hamilton Conservation Authority’s move to limit public access to a popular Ancaster artesian well is boiling over, with hints of legal action against a group of diehard opponents.

Ancaster Coun. Lloyd Ferguson raised the possibility of getting a restraining order against Save Our Spring at the Dec. 7 board of directors meeting, objecting to “slanderous comments” about his role in the dispute.

These include describing him, in a letter and on the group’s website, as a “champion of only one solution, privatization” and as an opponent of reclassifying the well “to allow free continued access,” he said.

“I don’t know where that comes from. It’s not true,” Ferguson said before agreeing to defer any discussion of legal action to a private session later in the meeting.

If my councillor wants to take me to court for challenging his decisions, then I’m up for that.“I think all of you know I’ve never once raised selling this to Nestlé or any other private operation,” he said. “They’re not telling the truth.”

Contacted afterwards, Ferguson said the authority is taking action but he can’t divulge details because they remain confidential.

Read More on hamiltonnews.com

THINK before you sign, because what you are signing recognizes your and ALL Ratepayers loss of ownership and free access. Please read to the end.
Behind SOS is a core group of concerned citizens / water warriors.

We’re not in agreement with the changes being implemented, and we have created a Ratepayers group to pursue and exercise our legal rights so as to advance our initiative and to quash this unfounded change to public access.

We’ve uncovered several details:

• that there is NO “ Order to comply” as we have been told there is.

• There is NO Directive, from the medical officer of health, for this locked fence, pay-to-play swipe card, and waiver that’s scheduled Jan 1, 2018.
As per Lisa Burnside: “……HCA has not received any type of order or directive from Public Health Services so I do not have that information to provide. I have attached the HCA Board motion as it shows the whys and wherefores for the change. It is the details of the change in operations that was reviewed with Public Health Services.” Lisa Burnside, CAO of HCA, Nov. 20th 2017.
Therefore what legal authority does HCA have for breaking the covenant with the public and installing physical barriers to the Ratepayers of this community?
Other compelling details we’ve uncovered:

• Surprisingly, almost 2 yrs. after initial contact with Public Health, Our group discovered that the Health Unit only became aware of the details of the land deed covenant requirements of the owner (HCA). As per Eric Matthews (PHS) Oct. 12th 2017, who informed us that PHS only learned of the specifics late summer 2017.
• First Nations, as of Monday Dec 4th, had not been notified of changes in the protocol, by HCA. It was through this Ratepayers Group that the MNCFN became aware of this.
• All options have not been considered. i.e. simple notice stating ‘water is no longer potable’ as offered to other Hamilton Sites that had to adhere to this changed regulation.
• Lastly, Cllr Ferguson, is on record, stating that he will rescind the sale[ownership] condition as per Ancaster News Article dated Oct. 5 2017. “Ferguson said the sale condition should still probably be rescinded”

Therefore, we ask you to join us, please engage with the Ratepayers Association and please consider donating to our legal fund: http://bit.ly/2wXFVzI , for we are moving forward on this indiscretion on the part of HCA and our city representatives and employees.
We need your strengths, expertise and donations to further this cause.

PAWS Ratepayers Association Inc. [ Protect Ancaster WellS]

Please contact us:
Joel Moran, Marcia Hicks: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Erin Davis: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Johanne Silvestri: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
David Murray: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Darrell Ryckman: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.