The Northern News
Wednesday, January 16, 2002
Front Page
 
Bennett opposition scorned
 
JIM PATRICK
Northern Daily News
Kirkland Lake:
 
A broadside was fired off on Tuesday against area politicians who complain about the Bennett Environmental Inc. operation, but who refuse to attend information sessions sponsored by the company.
 
Bennett wants to set up a soil treatment operation in Kirkland Lake, but has received criticism and opposition from people outside this community.
 
Kirkland Lake municipal council Tuesday mourned the lack of attendance of a Bennett meeting held last week in Englehart.
 
 Councillor Norm Mino said he was very disappointed in the response. Only 12 people showed up, one of whom was not an elected official, but who was part of a task force. Council members fear that outside municipal bodies have already made up their minds about Bennett without hearing the evidence the company is bringing forward concerning safety and operational issues.
 
Coun. Al French noted these Bennett meetings are for elected officials and he hoped for their co operation.
 
"We have a chance to network with other municipalities," he said, but add this doesn't seem to be occurring.
 
Coun. Linda Cunningham suggested the Ministry of the Environment should be advised of the situation concerning the Englehart meeting. "
 
Mayor Bill Enouy said many don't care to know about the answers Bennett has. He criticized Haileybury council's decision to deny support for the company "because it is not getting a full environmental assessment".
 
The mayor said this decision was made by the ministry and not by Bennett.
 
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The Northern News
Wednesday, January 16, 2002
Page 3
 
Bennett will bring in scientists
 
RICK OWEN
Northern Daily News
Kirkland Lake:
 
Bennett Environmental is bringing four scientists to Kirkland Lake on Thursday so the town's independent Community Advisory Committee and the public can hear the facts first hand.
 
The scientist who will be on hand are the ones that conducted the human health, ecological, air and water risk assessments in connection with the Bennett environmental proposed soil treatment facility. As well, Danny' Ponn, the COO of Bennett, will be at the meeting. The meeting will be held in the Northern College auditorium, starting at 7 p.m., and will include a question and answer period.
 
"This meeting will provide one more opportunity to be part of the environmental assessment process, " said Robert MacDonald, head of the CAC. He noted that the CAC , is a group mandated by the provincial government and has been involved in the process since the beginning. The eight member committee, representing a cross section of the community, has provided the company with ideas and suggestions which have been reflected in their studies. Ponn is also encouraging people to attend the meeting.
 
"It's important for people to get the facts before they make up their minds," said Ponn. "We want to share the information we have through these studies so residents have all the facts. "
 
Because the studies can be complex, Bennett is bringing the experts to Kirkland Lake to help people make sense of it.
 
The CAC has had a chance to review the Bennett material and they may have questions to ask the company. MacDonald said, "There is a misconception among some that the committee is somehow tied to the company. The fact is, we"are an independent body and are representing the interests of the community, but hope more people will come out for the meetings themselves."
 
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