WHAT ARE THE M.O.E. AFRAID OF ?

This is the question Gail Martin poses in her Editorial in today's Elmira Independent. She also has a story titled "MOE refuses public meeting on biogas issue". Past Councillor Ruby Weber when told that the M.O.E. won't hold a public meeting in order to remain nuetral commented " I thought it was because they are not interested in hearing what people think". Dan Kennaley of Woolwich Staff suggested they had agreed to present to Council because "... a council meeting appears to be exactly the kind of "controlled environment" the MOE is looking for". All of this does raise serious questions. Whether or not one believes that the M.O.E. are honest brokers in the first place, nevertheless Gail Martin is correct that citizens deserve a public meeting held by at least an ostensible nuetral party namely the M.O.E.. I attended last night's public meeting put on by the proponent Woolwich Bio-En. I had the opportunity to chat with both Chuck and Don Martin. Their opinions and position are valid in regards to the benefits of green energy. At the same time as I pointed out to Chuck, nobody can dispute the legitimate concerns of long suffering Elmira residents when it comes to local industry polluting their environments whether odour, noise or traffic.