WOOLWICH RESIDENTS ARE VERY FORTUNATE

Currently there is an embarassment of media riches coming our way due to the attention of local as well as regional media surrounding our multitude of environmental issues. Both local papers (Observer & Independent) have been covering the BioFuel/Bio-En situation as well as the three major proposed gravel pits in West Montrose (Capitol), Winterbourne (Kuntz/Jigs Hollow) and Conestogo (Hunder). Also CKCO-TV and the Waterloo Region Record have been doing stories on both the BioFuel Citizens Committee and the local pits. Chemtura have also seen their unresolved issues displayed publicly, courtesy primarily of the Elmira Independent with honourable mentions to the other media. Just over two years ago I started the Elmira Advocate due to a perceived lack of regular media exposure to environmental problems in Woolwich Township. I wanted to help keep citizens informed and make the environmental offenders aware of public scrutiny. Currently I am ecstatic with the ongoing situation and coverage thereof.

Today's Woolwich Observer carrys this story on page 5 namely "Aggregate review to hit the road". Thanks to local pressure including municipal and our M.P.P. from Kitchener-Conestoga, Mike Harris; the review of the Aggregate Resources Act will be holding public hearings outside Toronto, including in Kitchener-Waterloo. Requests to appear before the committee should be submitted to the committee clerk at tamara_pomanski@ontla.ola.org .

Today's Observer also carrys stories on the BioFuel Rally last Monday (pg.4) and the Hunder Pit (pg.3). Mediation is underway between Bio-En and the BFCC despite municipal efforts still underway to find an acceptable, outside of Elmira, alternate location. It is my belief that these longterm efforts, while unsucessful to date, have been seriously approached by the municipality and credit should be given for those attempts to honour election pledges.