Northern Daily News
Kirkland Lake
Friday, January 4, 2002
Page 3
 
Council is concerned
 
by Rick Owen
 
Opposition to the Bennett Environmental proposal is not a war of areas or occupations.
 
Speaking at a press conference Thursday, Kirkland Lake Councillor Al French said the people opposing the proposed facility are malcontents some are farmers and some, live in the south end of the riding, but all are just malcontents. "We are not going to be drawn into a war."
 
French's point was backed by Mayor Enouy who said that the town has been working with municipalities in south Timiskaming, and Kirkland Lake hasn't received any official notification that municipalities to the south of Kirk land Lake are opposed to Bennett locating in the area.
 
Councillor Norm Mino said he believes that most citizens are trusting of professionals and that in the case of projects, professionals have been hired and their opinions weigh. heavily our discussions. The Ben nett proposal is no different. "I'm certainly going to put some trust in scientific knowledge."
 
Councillor Don Weisflock also attended the press conference called by the mayor and said he thinks people in Timiskaming with common sense will go to the proper source for information and will see this session for what it is. He noted, "It is the same people, with different masks."
 
Mino also questioned the need for the forum being held Saturday, saying that the same questions that will be asked have already been asked and if new questions arise, then why weren't they already posed?
 
French described the situation as "a big joke, that isn't funny anymore." He advised people who attend the forum to remember where the words come from and to do their own homework.
 
The information session is being held at Northern College on Sat. from 10:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. It will feature a panel that includes Danny Ponn, vice president and chief operating officer of Bennett Environmental, Dr. William Mills, a Bennett Consultant, Dr. Neil Carmen, brought in by Public Concern Timiskaming, and Dr. Paul Connett, also brought in by Public Concern Timiskaming.
 
Mayor Enouy said the Town of Kirkland Lake was not asked to participate on the panel.
 
The morning session will feature presentations by the panelists. In the afternoon there will be a presentation by John Vanthof, president of  the Timiskaming Federation of Agriculture. After this talk, the meeting will be opened to questions from the floor.