Media Advisory
Public Meeting to Oppose Sobey's Infill Project
(January 10/2002)-- A large number of Bedford and area residents are expected to attend a public meeting early next week to discuss a plan by Sobey's to in-fill the historic Moirs Pond.
Bedford Councillor Len Goucher, who is organizing the session, said the decision-making process at this point lies entirely with the federal government-- municipal jurisdiction occurs only after the new land has been created.
The Councillor said Sobey's Leased Properties Limited wants to infill the historic pond, which is located next to its 24-hour store in Bedford, in order to dispose of pyritic slate from the site of its Fall River shopping centre. It hopes to eventually use the newly-created land for future development.
He said he has been told by Department of Fisheries and Oceans officials that he and other residents opposed to the infilling can't appeal through the federal government's environmental process to stop the move until after the pond is actually in-filled. Initially at this level, the process is very technical in nature and limits response from area residents.
The Councillor said "It's a little late to stop the infilling, after it's been done. Moirs Pond is part of the Moirs Mill Interpretative Centre, which is a provincial heritage site. I have been inundated with telephone calls and e-mail from Bedford residents and others opposed to this move by Sobey's."
When: Monday, January 14/2002
Time: 7 p.m.
Where: Basinview Elementary School, Basinview Drive, Bedford
-30--
Councillor Len Goucher
(902) 476-0021
John O'Brien
Corporate Communications Officer
(902) 490-6531
