Dear Editor,
I’ve heard and read discussion about a plan to promote a “bio park” at the so-called industrial park in Litchfield. It sounds as if it could be a boon for the economy and, as usual, many ongoing jobs are being promised. In recent newspapers there were stories and letters, outlining who was for or not for the project, and what procedures of discussion were or were not followed, but no one so far has mentioned just what a BioPark would be. There have been hints that it would be a place where . . .
forest products will be transformed into pellet fuel for stoves, lignin, even food products.
For us, the general public to decide whether or not to support such a project we need to know what it is or could be. But as I understand it, what’s actually being discussed at the MRC level is not an industry, but whether or not to extend a contract for a promoter/developer, to try to influence industries to locate here in the Pontiac.
I’m wary of MRC money going toward such a speculative venture, because of history. That site has seen a stream of big time schemes and unrealistic visions of outside promoters being paid to spin dreams which then folded, leaving a disappointing mess. Here are a few considerations the council of mayors should ponder, before investing public money into another outsider’s business plan:
- Is the Industrial Park a safe place to work? I know that after the pulp mill was dismantled and scuttled, large amounts of whatever (I’ve never found anyone who would tell me what substances) were landfilled and covered over. A little more than a year ago, I toured the site and when I asked to go to the top of a hill, to get an overview of the landscape, I was told that it was unsafe without a gas mask. What’s there and what’s the danger? We should have answers to that before any new industry is planted on top of unpleasant mysteries.
- Is/are the promoters residents of the area with a long-term commitment to seeing Pontiac thrive? With the ongoing whining about Pontiac being so poor we are sitting ducks for promoters who might think we’ll fall for any scheme to make a few bucks, no matter what the job or its environmental consequences are.
- What types and quantities of wood are to be taken in for processing? Pontiac wood producers have long been subject to the whims of mills and processors at a distance. That means that much of the proceeds of the trees cut goes to fuel costs. I’m in possession of half a load of logs which weren’t shipped in time before the mill in Thurso closed. The logs were cut to Thurso specifications and are worthless to other mills, so they will now rot in place. A processing plant nearby would be a great boon, if it is consistent in its input demands.
There’s no point in publicly discussing economic development plans, if the parameters are so vague that it amounts to “wouldn’t it be nice if we had local industry?” So, let us know what the plan is, or just go ahead and vote in secret and tell us later how it turned out.
Robert Wills
Shawville and Thorne, Que.
