Gifts and Gripes ~ BFI Garbage Dump Proposed Near Blackie

Dear Editor:
I hope by now that residents of the MD of Foothills are aware of the proposed garbage dump about to be presented to the MD Council. I am not a resident of the MD, but would live “downstream” should this monstrosity be allowed to exist and threaten our groundwater, our wildlife, our road safety, and air quality, to name just a few of the detriments. Groundwater contamination knows no boundaries or county lines.
Every week, the (BFI) Prairie Sky Resource Centre is touting its so-called benefits to the community, yet, there are very few people who can truly see or believe the benefits they boast about bringing to the area.
I would like to find one realtor who will put in writing that property values go up when located near a dump. This is just one of the many claims that BFI makes, which really shows the blatant absurdity of their proposal. They have a huge marketing budget and are greasing the community wheels by donating money to organizations in the MD and presenting themselves as “green”. Their paid for articles do not represent the true impact this dump will have on this area and the people living here, and, the green veil of environmental goodness is just that - a veil. This is a dump with token recycling and composting.
Since I don't live in the MD, and therefore won't be able to have a say, I hope the fellow residents and businesses of the MD will support their neighbours out in the farming Community of Blackie in their efforts to protect this valuable area. So many generations of farm families have supported the businesses of the MD for decades and helped them prosper. The Hamlet of Blackie turns 100 years old in 2012. Is removing 960 acres of productive farmland and rewarding a dump to BFI to be its legacy? This rich historical area deserves so much more.
When you see a petition against the proposed Prairie Sky Resource Centre, please take a moment to sign and support your neighbours.

Sincerely,
Leslie Brown
Vulcan County




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