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Deferral was better than defeat for Kanata South Councillor Peggy Feltmate Tuesday, as her colleagues on the city’s planning and environment committee tore apart her motion to provide relief money to thrice-hit flood victims.
Feltmate’s ward includes the Glen Cairn neighbourhood that was hard-hit by stormwater floods and sewage backups during the heavy rains of July 24.
Some of the residents also suffered flooding in 2002 and 1996, leading Feltmate to propose a $1,000 grant for anyone whose house had flooded on July 24, 2009, and twice previously, within the past 15 years.
The motion proposed setting up a $1.2-million fund for the grants.
But several councillors felt the motion was unfair to residents who had suffered repeated floods, but would not be eligible for money because their homes did not flood on July 24.
“I think it’s well-intentioned, but I think it doesn’t take into account the fact that flooding happens, sewer back-ups happen, across the city for a number of reasons,” said Knoxdale-Merivale Councillor Gord Hunter.