CATHY FOX – LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE

SHAWVILLE – About 20 people attended a council meeting in Shawville, April 23, in order to voice their opinions and ask questions about a motion on the agenda regarding council rescinding its earlier support of the MRC Pontiac’s proposed Energy-From-Waste (EFW) incinerator project.

Council allowed residents to speak and ask questions before the vote on the motion was held. A number of people addressed council:

Janet Atkinson, a cottage owner who provided copies of a study on the state of incineration in North American cities, asked why the MRC would invest in incineration when big cities are moving toward zero waste solutions.

Christine Armitage asked whether support for every clause of the original motion would be rescinded given that it included environmental studies. The new motion makes support conditional on further study of environmental impact, which could cost up to $30 million. Council said support for all aspects would be rescinded and no large monetary amounts would be considered.

Linda Davis asked for assurance that if any further studies are funded by private individuals, they be fully vetted since even the mafia has been investing in garbage projects.

Jim Coffey asked why council wouldn’t go a step further than staying neutral, given that a significant number of citizens are unsupportive of incineration. Coffey noted it would be a positive, proactive move to make a statement clearly opposing the project, taking the lead to educate other communities about zero waste initiatives. Mayor Bill McCleary said council will take it one step at a time.

Armitage noted Otter Lake’s council not only rescinded their support, but also added a motion to support recycling and other waste recovery efforts. In response, Councillor Sharpe asked that a clause to explore zero waste as a garbage solution be added to the motion. She said she hopes residents are willing to invest the same effort displayed in protesting the EFW project in working with council to find alternate solutions. A vote was called and the motion was passed unanimously.