The following article appeared in the March 4 edition of hte Guelph Mercury. Although not a ward 2 specific topic, there has been considerable community interest in this issue. ian
A meeting is being organized next week specifically for opponents of a proposed Sikh temple in the south end, but who’s putting it together remains a bit of a mystery.
An ad in Thursday’s Guelph Etcetera — a weekly paper published by the Mercury – twice indicates the meeting is being sponsored by the Westminster Woods Residents’ Association, an upstart group formed a couple of months ago to formalize neighbourhood opposition to the proposal by the Guelph Sikh Society.
But association chairperson Adam Minnion wrote in an email his group is not involved with the meeting, to be held March 11 at the Puslinch Community Centre.
“I’m not in a position to comment on the intention of this meeting as we would just prefer to distance ourselves from the originator,” Minnion wrote.
An official at the Puslinch municipal office said the hall was rented by Glenn Carducci, a prominent opponent of the temple and one of the creators of an anti-temple website.
“I rented it for a friend,” Carducci said Thursday, in a phone interview, adding he is not associated with the Westminster Woods Residents’ Association and does not live in the Westminster Woods subdivision.
“I am not part of their meeting whatsoever,” he said. “I have the same goal as them, to oppose the Sikh place of worship, but I am not involved with them.”
The advertisement is clear the meeting is intended for opponents only.
“This meeting is not for those who want to support this application to build a Sikh place of worship,” it reads. “If that is your goal, you will be denied entry and the opportunity to speak. You are invited to host your own meeting, which we will graciously avoid.”
Carducci said he is not planning to attend the meeting, but agreed it is not intended to hear from both sides of the issue.
“It’s not a meeting for people who are in favour of the temple,” he said. “If they want a meeting they can have their own meeting. It’s not a public meeting.”
The media is also not invited, Carducci added.
Minnion said either he or another member of the Westminster Woods Residents’ Association executive will attend “to ensure that the audience is aware that in no way are we affiliated with (organizers).”
Ward 6 Coun. Christine Billings said earlier this week nobody should be turned away from the meeting.
“If they’re having a meeting to discuss the issue it should be open to everyone,” Billings said, adding she was not sure whether she would attend.
The city’s planning department is currently examining the Sikh Society’s application, but is not expected to report back to council with a recommendation until at least May.