View topic - Provincial Tory nomination bid in Lanark - Frontenac - L& :: Free Dominion - Principled Conservative - Party and Canadian Politics

Local Author to Contest Provincial Tory Nomination in Lanark – Frontenac – Lennox and Addington

Godfrey, ON (November 15, 2006) – Local author and political activist Brent Cameron officially announced today his bid for the provincial Progressive Conservative nomination in Lanark – Frontenac – Lennox and Addington.

Citing the poor performance of the McGuinty government, and area MPP Leona Dombrowsky, as motivation for running, Cameron remarked that “while Leona has left this riding to contest next door, she has left the people of Frontenac and Lennox & Addington counties a sorry legacy. She had a chance to be a strong advocate for people here, but it never did happen.”

Despite the change in boundaries, Cameron is confident that he can also represent the priorities of Lanark County. “Some of my mother’s side of the family originally came from Weymss in Tay Valley Township. I’ve also had the opportunity to work with people from Perth, Smiths Falls, and Carleton Place in my role in the federal party over the last couple of years. Norm Sterling and his team have done a solid job in Lanark and I want to build on that.”

Cameron holds an Honours Degree in Political Studies at Queen’s University, and a Certificate in Municipal Administration at St. Lawrence College. He has held positions with the federal Ministry of Labour, SES Canada Research, and with Harry Danford, former MPP for Hastings-Peterborough, and Parliamentary Secretary to Ontario’s Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs until 1999.

He is a former member of the Community Editorial Board of the Kingston Whig-Standard, and a former Chairman of Central Frontenac Community Services Corporation – a non-profit organization providing services to seniors, disabled adults, and children.

He has also worked on national campaign tours for two Canadian Prime Ministers, Joe Clark and Brian Mulroney, and currently serves as Vice-President to both the federal Conservative and provincial PC organizations in LFL&A.

Currently, Brent works in a research group within Queen’s University, and is a board member of the Commonwealth Advantage – a trade facilitation programe co-sponsored by the Canadian Advanced Technology Alliance. His first book, “The Case for Commonwealth Free Trade”, was released in March of 2005.

Married to Jodi Warne, they have 2 children and reside on the family farm at Godfrey.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Contact Brent Cameron at (613)374-2641 or e-mail: cameron_brent@hotmail.com

Website: www.brentcameron.ca

Posted: 11/ 21/ 06 2:07 pm Post subject:

Is your website not up, Brent?

Posted: 11/ 21/ 06 2:12 pm Post subject:

Not yet...I have a web savvy guy who hopes to get it posted in the next 2-3 days

Posted: 11/ 21/ 06 2:17 pm Post subject:

http://www.monte2007.com/

was acclaimed last night as the PC candidate for this riding

Posted: 11/ 21/ 06 2:19 pm Post subject:

Posted: 11/ 21/ 06 2:25 pm Post subject:

Harris conservative

Posted: 11/ 21/ 06 2:39 pm Post subject:

Posted: 11/ 21/ 06 4:34 pm Post subject:

What choice does he have. the LBM party?

Posted: 11/ 21/ 06 4:51 pm Post subject:

Posted: 11/ 21/ 06 4:57 pm Post subject:

Posted: 11/ 21/ 06 5:48 pm Post subject:

Posted: 02/ 02/ 07 9:51 am Post subject:

Brent Cameron’s stand on landowner’s rights almost a decade long

Property rights, and the rights of landowners, have become an important issue in rural Ontario. The work of the Lanark, and Ontario, Landowners Associations has been instrumental in bringing this issue to the forefront of the political agenda.

Some politicians may be recent converts, and embrace the cause of property rights for the sake of gain. Those who have worked tirelessly for landowners’ rights are right to be skeptical.

Brent Cameron, candidate for the Progressive Conservative nomination in Lanark - Frontenac - Lennox and Addington, is not a recent convert to the plight of rural landowners.

In March, 2000 - almost four years before the creation of the Lanark Landowners Association – Brent Cameron took on the defence of Jack Jeffrey of Yarker, and the attempt to shut down the auto recycling business that had been his livelihood for decades.

The following brief contains the text of the exchange between Brent Cameron and Donald Coulter, as well as the response by Peter Jardine, Chair of the Cataraqui Valley Conservation Authority:

Give landowners a voice on trail; [Final Edition] - Brent Cameron, Kingston Whig-Standard: Mar 14, 2000. pg. 7

I have been following the debates and fairly frequent submissions to the Editorial and Forum pages of The Whig-Standard regarding the Cataraqui Trail. Both the proponents and detractors of the plan to convert the former Kingston and Pembroke rail line to a nature trail raise good points. Unfortunately, I believe that some very practical issues have not been addressed.

First, I would like to state that I am not opposed to a trail. If properly administered and marketed, it could fulfil the promise of economic spinoffs that its promoters often cite. Also, I have had the privilege of working with some of the individuals who are part of the steering committee for the Cataraqui Trail. I know them to be men and women of integrity who wish to promote what's good and right about our community. As a partner in a Lennox and Addington County- based business, I have seen first-hand the tangible benefits of a multi-use trail that is mere yards from our place of business.

As the old saying goes, however, the devil is in the details, and I must speak as someone whose family will be directly impacted by this plan.

My family has lived on a farm outside Godfrey for more than five generations. It so happens that the railbed in question dissects this property almost in half. As a former assistant to a member of the Ontario Legislature, I have become well acquainted with provincial statutes. One law on the status of parks and conservation areas gives a conservation authority a right of way extending onto adjacent property for up to 45 metres. A conservation authority can dictate to its next-door neighbours how they use or dispose of their property if it falls within this distance. Farmers could be told to keep their cattle 45 metres back, or not to cultivate land within this zone, even if it is land they own.

Some people might feel that this is alarmist, but I would like to share with you the experience of Jack Jeffrey of Yarker. Stricken with polio at an early age, Mr. Jeffrey has had little opportunity to make a living for himself. He accepts no charity, nor is he dependent on taxpayers' support. Fiercely proud and independent, he earns his keep by recycling car parts and taking on odd jobs. The cars he recycles are maintained in a responsible manner, and he endeavours to make sure that junk is cleaned up.

The back of his property, however, is crossed by a trail, and even though trees and shrub wood conceal any of his activities, representatives of the Cataraqui Region Conservation Authority have contacted him and, claiming that they possess a right of way on his private property, have demanded that he clear all of the vehicles within 90 days. Aside from the inconvenience, cost and logistical nightmare involved, this signals the end of Mr. Jeffrey's income and his long-fought independence.

Kingston residents who wish to understand what it is like to deal with the conservation authority need only look at the current debate surrounding citizens' use of Lemoine Point.

As I indicated earlier, I do not oppose a trail, but I cannot support one unless two conditions are met.

First, the Cataraqui Region Conservation Authority must agree to an amendment of the law and to a right of way that extends 7.5 metres from the middle of the trail to either side. This is the right of way that the former K&P railway exercised for more than a century, with no ill effect to anyone.

Second, the management of the committee is almost devoid of anyone who actually owns property that shares a fence line with that railbed. Just as residents of Kingston would not accept city councillors from Sydenham or Sharbot Lake,it is not unreasonable that the people most affected by this plan be represented as well.

I would encourage all interested parties - landowners, naturalists and recreation enthusiasts - to consider these points. Above all, I challenge the Cataraqui Region Conservation Authority to take a stand that shows respect for ratepayers in the community.

Brent Cameron
Yarker

Trail supporters sensitive to landowners' concerns; [Final Edition] – Donald M. Coulter, Kingston Whig-Standard, March 29, 2000, pg. 9

As a proponent of trails, I am dismayed at the misinformation that has been put forward by those who apparently are opposed to trails and against using abandoned railway right-of-ways as recreational linear parks. The letters to the editor from Brent Cameron ("Give landowners a voice on trail," March 14) and Edward Kennedy ("Trail advocates are out of line," March 27) are examples of such misinformation.
Mr. Kennedy may have taken much of his misinformation from Mr. Cameron's letter. However, he also called trail proponents "inconsiderate and selfish" and put forward more misinformation.

The Cataraqui Trail runs from Smiths Falls to Strathcona and passes by the rear of Jack Jeffery's property east of Yarker. Mr. Cameron wrote that he was not opposed to trails, but was opposed to provincial statutes that allow conservation authorities to dictate land usage on private property adjacent to parks and conservation areas.
I know of no such statute that is applicable to the Cataraqui Trail, or to the proposed K&P Trail. Mr. Cameron confuses these trails in his letter. The statute in question may be the one that is applicable only to the Niagara Escarpment, to prevent further development and erosion.

The Cataraqui Region Conservation Authority owns the Cataraqui Trail and its authority does not extend beyond the area of the right- of-way of the former CN railway. This area varies along the route, depending on the location of former sidings and station areas, and is generally defined by existing fence lines. No sidings or stations existed near, or on, Mr. Jeffery's property, and the fence lines there are clearly defined. Mr. Jeffery and any other adjoining landowner is free to do what he wishes with his property, within municipal statues and zoning restrictions.

Mr. Cameron claims that Mr. Jeffery was contacted by the conservation authority, which told him it possessed a right-of-way on his property and ordered him to clear junked cars and trucks from the property within 90 days.

This is an example of misinformation. The Cataraqui Trail right- of-way is only that of the former CN railway and is not on Mr. Jeffery's private property. When the conservation authority contacted him about the junked cars, it requested the removal of only those vehicles behind his property that were on the Cataraqui Trail's right-of-way.

No time limit was mentioned, and only two or three vehicles that were blocking the railbed drainage ditch were involved. What was not mentioned by Mr. Cameron is that, previously, Mr. Jeffery had been ordered by Stone Mills Township to clean up all of his property. The conservation authority had nothing to do with that order.

Another item of misinformation is the claim that the Cataraqui Trail's management board (referred to as "the committee") is almost devoid of people who own property adjoining the trail. The management plan of the board provides for two positions on the 25- member board to be reserved for adjacent landowners. There is also a position for agribusiness, and one for business. In addition, the other groups represented on the board, such as the nine municipal representatives, may also own adjacent land.

At present, at least four sitting members of the board own adjoining property and more members own businesses or land close to the trail. Combine these with the municipal representatives, and the wishes and interests of adjacent landowners are well represented.

Misinformation about the trail in Mr. Cameron's letter was repeated by Mr. Kennedy. Mr. Jeffery was not ordered by the conservation authority to relocate the used cars on his property away from the trail. The conservation authority, in fact, has no right to determine or regulate how adjoining landowners maintain their property.

Mr. Kennedy also wrote that he had been informed of a situation in which a landowner felling trees on his property was told to desist. There have been cases of landowners dragging or transporting timber or trees along the trail, destroying the trail drainage and surface, or where the cut trees were actually on the trail's right- of-way and not on landowners' property at all. The case Mr. Kennedy heard about may have been one of these cases. A landowner can fell all the trees he wants on his own property, but he must get approval to use the trail for any but the acceptable usages.

Rather than being inconsiderate and selfish, trail proponents are very sensitive to adjacent property owners' concerns and are tired of the misinformation that is being spread by some.

Donald M. Coulter
Kingston

Rails, trails and landowners: Rural residents will bear brunt of rails-to-trails development; [Final Edition] Brent Cameron, Kingston Whig-Standard: - April 10, 2000, pg. 5

After reading the letter by Donald M. Coulter ("Trail supporters sensitive to landowners' concerns," March 29) concerning earlier submissions by myself and Edward Kennedy, I have to ask: what authority or knowledge base is Mr. Coulter using to support his allegations?

While it is correct that the initial contact instructing Jack Jeffrey to move the wrecked cars from his property was made by the Township of Stone Mills, it was made on behalf of a complainant that happened to be the Cataraqui Region Conservation Authority.

Working with Mr. Jeffrey, we had been able to garner support from members of township council to resolve this issue. However, about two weeks later, a letter on Cataraqui Region Conservation Authority letterhead arrived for Mr. Jeffrey. The edited contents are as follows:

“Dear Mr. Jeffrey,

As you may be aware, the Cataraqui Trail is a four-season shared- use recreational trail, which runs behind your residence. The trail is owned by the Cataraqui Region Conservation Authority and managed by a community-based volunteer management board...

At the present time, we are maintaining and developing the trail for future generations to enjoy. We would request that the old salvaged vehicles, which are at the back of your property, be removed from the right-of-way of the Cataraqui Trail.

Scott Kiar
Trail Supervisor”

The letter clearly states that the vehicles in question are on Mr. Jeffrey's private property - his side of the fence. It also states that they lie on the trail right-of-way. Maybe Mr. Coulter can shed some light on this, but I reason that the only way this is possible is if the right-of-way takes in the property that Mr. Jeffrey holds legal title to - and on which he pays taxes.

I have received fundraising material from the Cataraqui Trail and have seen listed the names of those who sit on its board. There are at least 15 names on that list. If Mr. Coulter can show me the names of at least five who own property sharing a fence line with the Kingston & Pembroke railbed, I challenge him to do so.

While Mr. Coulter is mulling over these points, I would like to ask him another question: Why were representatives of the conservation authority reluctant to answer the fundamental questions members of South Frontenac Township council asked about the costs and liability of the trail - unless they approved the trail in principle first? I am wondering if Mr. Coulter would buy a car without being allowed to look at it, let alone take it for a test drive.

I believe Mr. Coulter displays little regard for those whose lives will face the greatest impact from this plan - rural residents who, by and large, earn a living from the land. That attitude is reminiscent of the early colonists who thought they could buy off the ignorant local inhabitants with firewater and a few glass beads.

It is even worse when you hold out two seats on a 25-member board as some symbol of reaching out to adjacent landowners. That would not even qualify as token representation.

Mr. Coulter's letter does raise an interesting question: how did he know the content of the original correspondence between Mr. Jeffrey and the Township of Stone Mills?

To my knowledge, Mr. Coulter is neither a member of township council nor of the township's staff. Possibly Mr. Jeffrey shared the contents of the letter with Mr. Coulter, but he claims he did not. So how did Mr. Coulter obtain this private and confidential information?

In closing, I would advise Mr. Coulter and his associates that if their goal is to see this trail come to fruition, they should spend less time picking on affected citizens and more time trying to build bridges with us.

Brent Cameron
Yarker

Rails, trails and landowners: Development of trail network would benefit Kingston area; [Final Edition] – Peter Jardine, Kingston Whig-Standard, April 10, 2000, pg. 5

The Whig-Standard has published letters recently that express opinions and concerns about regulation and management of trails in the greater Kingston area. These letters have demonstrated a significant need to clarify the status of these trails, and the Cataraqui Region Conservation Authority's regulation and management of them.

In these letters, there have been statements made regarding Jack Jeffrey and his property near Yarker. Mr. Jeffrey's property is located adjacent to the Cataraqui Trail. The Cataraqui Trail runs along the former CN line from Strathcona to Smiths Falls. This former rail line is now owned by the conservation authority. We are working with several organizations and municipalities to develop this into a multi-use trail. It is scheduled to open this September.

The second rail line that has been referred to is the Kingston & Pembroke rail line, which runs north from Kingston to Sharbot Lake.

These two former rail lines intersect at Harrowsmith. Several local groups have come together to try to develop a trail on the K&P line as well. At this point, it is still a proposed trail. Bell Canada currently owns it. It will not be developed as a trail without both municipal and community support.

In January, Mr. Jeffrey was asked by Cataraqui Trail staff to remove some debris that was located on the Cataraqui Trail property owned by the conservation authority. Mr. Jeffrey has agreed to do so when the ground is dry enough to get equipment to the site. This is acceptable to us.

At no time has the conservation authority asked Mr. Jeffrey to do anything further on his property. In fact, there is no legislation or regulation that entitles us to do so. Regulations made under the Conservation Authorities Act of Ontario, our governing legislation, allow us to determine what types of activities take place on our properties. These regulations do not extend any powers of management beyond our property lines. We, of course, carry liability insurance that requires due diligence in the management of risk on the trail and the conservation authority pays property taxes on all of its owned properties. The suggestion that we have any legal authority outside of our property lines is totally inaccurate.
The Cataraqui Trail has a management board, which is composed of representatives from the municipalities, trail groups, landowners and the conservation authority. Where possible, we have tried to include landowners that live adjacent to the trail. In the initial proposal to councils, the proposed K&P trail has a similar management board makeup.

The Cataraqui Region Conservation Authority's mandate in the community is to preserve, promote and educate the community about the environment, through a municipally appointed board and a volunteer foundation. We have 21 members appointed by the 15 municipalities we serve. The conservation authority controls more than 10,000 acres of land that include significant wetlands, forest and natural areas, including Little Cataraqui Creek, Lemoine Point, Lyn Valley and Mac Johnson wildlife areas.

We possess only the will of municipalities, and their citizens, in the advancement of long-term environmental goals. It is the responsibility of the conservation authority to serve, not to dictate, within its jurisdiction. The direction that we receive from municipal councils decides the actions that we take. I find it unfortunate that we have, at times, become a lightning rod for debate, many times with significant lack of understanding or comprehension of what kind of organization we are and how we are governed.

It has been a great source of pride for me to be associated with the Cataraqui Region Conservation Authority, its staff, its board and foundation. I have always found them to be credible, responsible and conscientious in their efforts and their respect for community and individual rights. The work of past members of this authority has given our respective communities a rich and enviable natural resource. Conservation is not the work of one citizen or one community. It is the responsibility of all to provide green space and responsible environmental management for the benefit of future generations, and those are goals I will always be quick to defend.

The development of a regional trail network is a great project that will benefit all the residents of this area. It will attract tourists to our area and provide recreational opportunities for residents and visitors alike.

Peter Jardine
Chairman
Cataraqui Region Conservation Authority

As a result of the negative publicity generated by this story, the organization attempting to purchase the K & P railbed for a trail, SEORTA, experienced a dramatic loss of financial support.

In order to cover the shortfall in funds received from the trail organizations, the Cataraqui Area Conservation Authority was forced to sell property beside the Cataraqui Golf and Country Club, at the foot of the Rideau Trail. A luxury home subdivision now sits on that land.

Seven years later, the K & P railbed still remains undeveloped, and Jack Jeffrey still continues to operate his business.

Posted: 02/ 02/ 07 9:58 am Post subject:

Land owner rights alone do not make a conservative. His resume smells Red Tory to me and if he worked on campaigns for Joe Clark, then enough said.

Posted: 02/ 02/ 07 10:39 am Post subject:

I am what I am, and I will make no apologies.

I saw a guy who was working hard to earn a living, and was having his rights taken away. I stood up and fought. The fact he is still going strong is proof positive.

No offense, but sitting on your computer and talking the talk doesn't prove anything either.

At least I have more to show for my efforts - a property owner's continued enjoyment of his land - than a bunch of posts racked up on a forum.

Did I help Clark? Yes. I also supported Mike Harris, Stephen Harper, and serve as V-P of Scott Reid's association - the same Scott Reid who brought together the people who would eventually form the Lanark Landowners Association.

That makes 1 Red Tory, 1 Blue Tory, and 2 former Reformers by my count.

Posted: 02/ 02/ 07 10:53 am Post subject:

	The time now is 09/ 02/ 10 3:52 pm
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