By Haldimand Press staff
NANTICOKE—This past Tuesday, Haldimand County Council voted 4-2 in favour of keeping it’s divisive Minister’s Zoning Order (MZO) in place related to the development of a new community in Nanticoke.
The issue, a centrepiece of Mayor Shelley Ann Bentley’s campaign, has been dividing both the public and Council since it was first announced at a Council in Committee meeting in March, 2022.
In last fall’s Municipal election, the current mayor based her campaign around the issue, with her ‘Say no to the MZO’ signs visible around Haldimand.
Mayor Bentley attempted to have the vote deferred until after the June 19 Ward 4 By-Election, stating that it was paramount to wait until the seat was filled, so that residents of the ward might have a voice in the proceedings.
Bentley further argued that more consultation needed to be done with Six Nations of the Grand River before making a final decision on the MZO.
Bentley’s deferral request, supported by Ward 2 Councillor John Metcalfe, was ultimately voted down as the remaining four councillors voted against the mayor on the issue. The final 4-2 vote again saw Metcalfe back the mayor, while Councillors Stewart Patterson, Dan Lawrence, Patrick O’Neill and Rob Shirton voted against rescinding the MZO.
The vote follows two public consultation meetings organized by the County, during which members of the public were given the chance to speak directly to Council on the matter.
Look for more in-depth coverage of Council’s discussion on the issue in next week’s edition of The Haldimand Press.
