Red River Coun. Brian McKinnon made perhaps one of the worst political moves in Thunder Bay’s history on Monday night.
A week after voting in favour of all 18 of Horizon Wind Inc.’s planned turbine location on the Nor’Wester Mountain range, McKinnon flip-flopped, leading the city down the road to a $126-million lawsuit.
McKinnon, believing he was making a compromise that would keep both sides happy, suggested council only approve 14 of the 18 locations.
The motion passed, and Horizon was quick to respond, filing suit in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice in Toronto.
The timing couldn’t be worse for the incumbents on council, who on Monday will face the electorate at the polls.
McKinnon, who was a good bet to be returned to council before Monday, is now likely in the fight of his life.
The turbine mess could also prove to be the undoing of Neebing Coun. Linda Rydholm, at large Coun. Aldo Ruberto, both of whom voted against signing the lease and location deal with Horizon, and could ultimately sway the vote in favour of Keith Hobbs in an already hotly contested mayor’s race.
One has to wonder about the timing of the company’s lawsuit. Hopefully city manager Tim Commisso is right and it proves to be unfounded.
A week after voting in favour of all 18 of Horizon Wind Inc.’s planned turbine location on the Nor’Wester Mountain range, McKinnon flip-flopped, leading the city down the road to a $126-million lawsuit.
McKinnon, believing he was making a compromise that would keep both sides happy, suggested council only approve 14 of the 18 locations.
The motion passed, and Horizon was quick to respond, filing suit in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice in Toronto.
The timing couldn’t be worse for the incumbents on council, who on Monday will face the electorate at the polls.
McKinnon, who was a good bet to be returned to council before Monday, is now likely in the fight of his life.
The turbine mess could also prove to be the undoing of Neebing Coun. Linda Rydholm, at large Coun. Aldo Ruberto, both of whom voted against signing the lease and location deal with Horizon, and could ultimately sway the vote in favour of Keith Hobbs in an already hotly contested mayor’s race.
One has to wonder about the timing of the company’s lawsuit. Hopefully city manager Tim Commisso is right and it proves to be unfounded.
