Environment key for Fort Erie mayor hopeful
George Jardine says green concerns not being considered in planning decisions
A desire to protect the environment spurred George Jardine’s decision to run for mayor of Fort Erie.
A resident of Black Creek, near the Niagara River, he wants more town planning decisions made based on environmental protection and principles.
“I don’t need the money, I’m not doing this for the money,” said Jardine, a retired safety inspector with General Motors and former Chippawa businessman.
“I’m doing this because my wife and I fought tooth and nail for the health and safety of the environment. That’s why I joined the Green party.”
A frequent candidate for town council in the past but never elected to office, Jardine faces a tough run for mayor against incumbent Wayne Redekop and Ward 2 Coun. Stephen Passero.
The municipal election is Oct. 22.
Jardine is especially vocal about the sewage lagoons in-
stalled years ago to service the Black Creek and Douglastown neighbourhoods, near Netherby Road and the QEW.
He said a permanent sewer connection leading from there to the Anger Avenue pollution control plant is needed to protect the Niagara River from overflows at the lagoons.
He also supports waterfront protection. Jardine said he opposed the housing plan proposed — and ultimately rejected — at Bay Beach, and he is also against a condominium project planned for Waverly Beach, which would include a 10-storey apartment building with other residential development.
That project was approved by town council, but is currently held up before the Land Planning Appeals Tribunal.
“Waverly Beach never should have happened,” Jardine said. “They want to build a 10-storey tower there, that’s the worst possible place … I’m not against 10-storey towers. There are places for them,” but not there, he said.
He said the mayor should be more responsive and attentive to the public’s concerns.
Running in Ward 6 in the 2014 municipal election, Jardine finished fourth among five candidates. In 2010 in Ward 6, he also finished fourth in a field of five.