Group has new leader for well fight
The citizen group Water Wells First has a new leader and voice to carry forward its concerns about the effect a wind farm has had on private wells in the area. Kevin Jakubec is leaving the group and announced this week that Jessica Brooks will take the reins.
Water Wells First began about three years ago when some residents in the North Kent Wind project area began noticing their water wells were starting to clog with sediment after pile-driving activities started in connection with industrial wind turbines. Jakubec and others reported that pile-driving into the Kettle Point black shale geology in the sarea was releasing the sediments that were clogging the wells. The group also noted this black shale contains harmful metals such as arsenic and lead. Although Jakubec was knowledgeable on the issue, he became embroiled in controversy as he was successfully sued for defamation by former Wallaceburg Coun. Jeff Wesley for comments made about the longtime politician.
He also criticized other local municipal and provincial politicians, even after they offered help. Jakubec represented the group in court, when Water Wells First was ordered in October 2017 to cease blockading turbine construction sites.
“I appreciate everything Kevin has done,” Brooks said.
She said if it wasn’t for Jakubec, she and her husband probably would have remortgaged their home to dig another well and still had the same problem and no clue what was going on. Citing her experience with public relations in her job, Brooks said, “I’m pretty good at making my point without upsetting too many people.” Brooks said becoming the group’s leader “seems like a natural step.” She said her family continues to rely on a bypass tank that is filled weekly with municipal water that is hauled to their home by her husband, Paul.
“We don’t want municipal water,” said Brooks, who is concerned about microplastics, pharmaceuticals and algae that have been getting into municipal water systems. “I want my well back, at least I knew the water was safe, except for the black shale.”
She doesn’t believe the group can take on the owners of the wind farm — Korean industrial giant Samsung and its American partner Pattern Energy. Brooks said they need to focus on finding a solution through government. “Samsung was only allowed to do what our government allowed them to do, so, ultimately, our health and well-being is in the hands of our government officials.”