News Release March 24, 2004 - Carmanah Forestry
Society
Second Local Government Supports Open
Disclosure of Cathedral Grove Plan to their Community
Contrary to the dozens of letters and news
releases by Alberni Qualicum MLA Gillian Trumper, declaring
that she had full support from local governments and communities
for the Cathedral Grove Parking Lot modifications, the truth
is finally coming out. While Trumper continues with the battle
cry to "get on with it!" a delegation from Carmanah
Forestry Society (CFS) received support from a second local
government which requested a full and meaningful public presentation
and process for the Cathedral Grove plan for their local community
from (Parks) WLAP Minister Bill Barisoff. Qualicum Beach Council
had written a similar request two weeks ago.
"It's amazing that Trumper ran with this
"support" issue when in reality no one even saw the
plans," CFS's President Syd Haskell commented. In a recent
"Town Hall Meeting" in Qualicum Beach, Trumper blamed
the representatives of local governments and chambers of commerce
who she had "handpicked" for her Octover 17 "stakeholder"
meeting in Qualicum. "I can't help it if they don't take
it to their groups and didn't get back to me", Trumper
added. "She's misrepresented the truth to the public and
government and now she's blaming her friends," Haskell
concluded
"The public has been misinformed as to
the support of local governments and we believe that a proper
safety study might show that the "get-on-with-it"
plan may prove even more dangerous with the need for two left
turns on a busy winding highway." Haskell lamented. "There
are other possibilities, and a public process might be the way
to bring out these better ideas for safer parking options, including
inexpensive alterations to the present system," Haskell
added.
"We call on the Minister to conduct a
safety study before they push ahead with arrests in the Grove."
Since February 9th, protesters have been working overtime, seven
days a week to assure that logging does not take place.
"Two years ago the same District requested
the government to acquire the additional 500 hectares of old
growth Douglas Fir forest adjacent to the existing park,"
Trumper dropped the ball on that one as well," Haskell
concluded.
-30-
Syd Haskell, President
Carmanah Forestry Society
250-381-1141
www.carmanah.bc.ca
www.cathedralgrove.com
Cathedral Grove -- Save what's left!
Rainforest Tours and Advocacy
