Dear Editor,
Re: Blackie BFI proposed dump
We were alarmed to hear that a BFI landfill in Edmonton was on fire for two days this month. Edmonton residents were advised by Health Canada to stay indoors because the fire was causing potential health risks.
This incident only added to the concerns of Blackie and area resident proving fires are indeed a risk factor at dumps.
This community does not want the proposed BFI dump built so close to a major explosives plant and less than 2 km from Blackie. It was not that long ago we had a grass fire during harvest that got extremely close to the Orica Explosives plant and the village had to be evacuated. That is a reminder to us the inappropriate and unsafe location of this proposed dump.
We are very aware dumps are a necessity. Why don’t we use modern technology to contain and process Canadian garbage?
BFI claims they will recycle as much of the garbage as they can (the profitable metals, etc.) but there will be a lot of garbage that can’t be reclaimed to make a profit they will simply bury it.
Many of the Blackie area residents were born and raised in Southern Alberta, as were our forefathers. This is a beautiful area and over the years new families have moved into our district to enjoy the peace and quiet of the prairies. Members of the Blackie community have established their homes, businesses and farms in this pristine part of Alberta where the air and water is clean and pure. These are rare commodities in most parts of the world.
We are not militant, nor are we anti-Alberta who stand against progressive business. We are a small, proud, prairie agricultural community. We don’t want the dump in our back yard.
We have taken the time and made the effort to listen to BFI representatives so that we could understand their proposal and make an informed decision. We have have made a informed decision that the community does not want it.
We believe the proposed BFI dump would not be beneficial to this agricultural community. Unfortunately, we have been forced to lobby for a cause we should not even have to fight. Safety for our neighbours, our families and our children are a priority.
Tammy Meadows , Sharon Cooke and Cheryl Emblau
Committee for the Blackie Residents Against the Proposed BFI Dump.
