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January 26, 2007
Developer hires renowned lawyer in land dispute with Mohawks
DESERONTO, Ont.
A Kingston developer at the centre of an Aboriginal land dispute pledged to forge ahead with his $35-million development plans for this eastern Ontario waterfront community.
And to help him in his fight, Intergroup Financing AG president Tim Letch has hired prominent civil rights lawyer and environmental advocate Clayton Ruby to represent him in any ensuing court proceedings to keep and develop the land.
“I’m going to go into a courtroom in a suit and tie and resolve this,” Letch said.
“I’m tired, as are the people who actually live in Deseronto. I want to get this moving along and develop a project to benefit the community at large.”
Last October, Letch’s firm announced plans to build on a waterfront portion on the east side of Deseronto — a $35-million development hailed by municipal leaders at the time as a sign that “Deseronto is open for business.”
In the weeks following the announcement, however, protesters who said they represent the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte held a blockade-style demonstration, claiming the land is owned by Mohawks as part of what’s known as the Culbertson Tract, a 375-hectare parcel starting at the Bay of Quinte and stretching north three concession roads.
The land claim, which was filed in 1995 and never resolved, essentially bisects the town of Deseronto.
Municipal officials quickly disavowed any involvement in the project, and earlier this month a federal negotiator was appointed to negotiate a settlement.
However, the appointee is only dealing with the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte to resolve the ordeal, Letch maintained, which prompted the developer to contact Ruby’s firm in Toronto.
“I feel that we have been misrepresented as to who owns the land. I could go on and on and on, but the bottom line is, I own the land.”
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