Without consulting Seaway Grain Processors, Cornwall city council has decided to pull the plug on the corn-fed ethanol plant. Mayor Bob Kilger and 10 councillors exercised an option in the land contract that allows them to do so.

It’s been 14 years of Seaway trying to get a plant off the ground and 11 years since Seaway purchased 23 acres in the city industrial park. But with no digging in sight, it’s time to move on, city councillors argue. They want the land back.

No one begrudges the city for wanting to move on. The city and Seaway have suffered through years of false hopes. But if the city wants to move on it must have something to move on to. What is this something? There must be some new plans for the city’s about 1,500-acre industrial park that includes those 23 acres. But the fact of the matter is that the city of Cornwall doesn’t have a plan or a buyer for the 23 acres, said councillor Bernadette Clement. Meantime, about 1,300 acres in the industrial park are empty. At least Seaway was providing almost $30,000 a year in taxes.

The very least I would expect from any council is to meet with the Seaway group and come up with a final deadline to get the plant built. Seaway president Alain Leduc has even agreed to a final deadline. So, what’s the rush in giving Seaway the boot? They’ve been there 11 years. Why not agree to one more month or two? If the plant gets built, Cornwall will reap great tax benefits. If the plant doesn’t get built, why kick out a paying tenant? It’s not like businesses are stampeding to Cornwall. The city recently lost the Domtar paper mill and unemployment has been a problem. With no plans for Seaway’s land, Cornwall residents can view council’s move as kissing good-bye to $30,000 a year.

Cornwall residents should be asking their councillors the question on the minds of many of Seaway’s some 2,800 shareholders: Why? The city might have its reasons but since it’s not telling, the absence of an explanation has created a fountain of rumours.

Seaway’s only lifeline now is another meeting with Cornwall city council on March 26. The council has a duty to explain itself to Seaway and to Cornwall’s taxpayers.