A contrast of values
Troy McWhinney of McWhinney Real Estate is pursuing a business venture to frack under his very own Centerra development community. In his January 19th presentation, explaining the plan as best he can in his terms, he touts his developing education on the topic of fracking, admitting he even asked “what are chemicals”? The financial benefit to him is obvious. But any benefit to the community is fuzzy at best and fraught with huge and demonstrated risk as we have seen in Firestone and other communities.
The irony is that McWhinney markets his Centerra Community from his own website as “…attractions, such as open space and trails, encourage active lifestyles and a family-centered demographic, as does the new 10-acre, Early Childhood through 8th grade High Plains School. Plus the High Plains Environmental Center, 275 acres of permanently preserved lakes, wetlands, and trails, connects residents and visitors to natural habitat, wildlife and provides hands-on environmental outdoor education and activities ….”
McWhinney’s plan is to undermine his own development and the surrounding community with 26 horizontal drilled wells. That same community in which families purchased homes and apartments from his development by trusting the environmentally family-friendly vision he portrays.
Although extensive concern and protest is being raised by the community, members of the Loveland City Council seem to have an affinity for McWhinney and his projects. Will the community concerns be addressed, the values and environment protected? Or will the developer be allowed to pursue an environmentally unfriendly project?
To the residents of Centerra, Boyd Lake, and North-East Loveland, this is a significant and highly concerning threat to their future environment.
To Troy McWhinney, this is just another business venture in the line of many. The contrast in values and motives could not be greater.
– Darren Duerksen – Loveland Resident
Link to full LTE at The Reporter-Herald.
