Orléans Chamber of Commerce

(Original writing)

Chamber joins forces with the Innes Re-Zoning and Development Group to oppose Mer Bleue snow dump

Groups collecting signatures for petition opposing proposal they say will stifle economic growth and limit employment opportunities

Orléans (March 6, 2006) - Two prominent Orléans groups have joined forces to collect signatures in opposition to a proposal that would see a snow disposal facility located in the Orléans Industrial Park off Mer Bleue Road, just south of Innes Road. The Orléans Chamber of Commerce and the Innes Re-Zoning and Development Group (IRZDG) say that putting a snow disposal facility there will stifle economic growth, limit employment possibilities and produce no tangible benefits for the community.

"The information city staff are using to back up their recommendations is more than 20 years old," said Chamber of Commerce President, Craig Bater. "Back then, this location was on the outskirts of a community of 58,000 people. Now, the population has almost doubled and there are residential and commercial communities all around it. It makes no sense to put it there now. They really need to revisit this 20-year-old decision."

The co-chairs of the Innes Re-Zoning and Development Group, Pierrette Woods and Sharon Lawrence, agree saying this land is just too valuable to give up for a snow dump.

(SNIP)