MEETING HIGHLIGHTS

NDACT held a public meeting at the Honeywood arena on Saturday January 16. The room was at capacity.

Media were there, including CTV and Rogers. Michael Daniher, spokesperson for Highlands (hi!!) taped every word. And of course the Shelburne Free Press was NOT there, but that would be because they got the date of the meeting incorrect in their paper. Wes was probably there the next day, and now will be reporting that there is such a decided lack of interest that no one showed up.

Mayor Fawcettl lost a niece and was at her funeral and to be fair, the location was not accessible and Councillor Kumprey was not there. Deputy Mayor Hill, Councillor Elliott and Councillor Crowe were all there and their attendance was appreciated and noted. Mayor Fawcett, so sorry for your loss.

There were several speakers, so each day I am going to profile one and their message.

The first person to speak was Stephen Ogden. He has been fighting Site 41 for 27 years. His message was one of hope and to never give up. I am sure over those 27 years he had various government officials, the press, neighbours and probably former friends tell him to give it up, it is a done deal. Where have we heard that before? Where have I heard that before? From government officials, the press, neighbours and some former friends.

It turned out, however, he was right. The "science" behind Site 41, that the proponents, the Ministry of Environment, the hydrogeologists, the planners and everyone told him was sound, turned out, well not to be so sound.

As Stephen pointed out in his speech, the MOE can only peer review what is provided to them....guess who is doing the tests to provide to the MOE? Well, the proponent of course. Do you think they are going to provide faulty data? You would think not, but that appears to be what happened in Site 41's case, but no one, without Stephen Ogden's dogged search for the truth would have known that before it was too late.

Is his battle over? No, but onward he soldiers.

Check out Site 41's website for the latest news wherein the MOE has admitted there DOES appear to be a problem with the science and they might have been wrong in supporting the studies all along:
http://stopdumpsite41.ca/?p=3373

Tomorrow: Council of Canadians highlights.

Watch for it Mike!