When speaking out on a topic of great personal interest it’s often all too easy to get caught up in the moment and turn to attacks of character rather than putting together a concise argument.
Being passionate about an issue can be both a blessing and a curse.
That’s why it was particularly impressive to see Casey Wells, who has become the de facto spokesperson of the Facebook group known as Greater Napanee Residents Against the Asphalt Plant, speak to council on May 11.
Whether he intended to or not, Wells has become the face of an ever-growing group of residents expressing their opposition to R.W. Tomlinson Ltd. establishing a permanent asphalt plant at 8205 County Road 2 in Greater Napanee. The company has outlined its intentions to submit an application to the town to have the property re-zoned to allow for the plant to be constructed at the site just passed the rock cut.
Given the proximity of his property to the proposed plant, Wells has a very personal vested interest in the outcome of the company’s re-zoning application. He’s made that very clear. But he’s also clearly done his research and presented his concerns-many of which go beyond the impact a plant would have on just his family-in a civil manner to council. His objections went much deeper than simply ‘I don’t want this near my house’. His arguments were well constructed enough to give even those who would be completely neutral to the matter some points to ponder. After watching his presentation however it would be hard for anyone with ties to Greater Napanee not to have an opinion on the matter. Pro or against, there’s no denying the plant would have a major impact on the town at that location.
His cause has garnered support quickly-at last check his petition against the plant on Change.org boasts over 1,500 signatures. Keep Napanee Great signs have begun popping up on lawns across the town this weekend as well.
There is still much debate on the matter to be had and council doesn’t appear to be close to making a decision. As cut and dry as the issue might seem to those on either side of the issue, something of this magnitude is never that easy. Council has to find the balance between what’s best, what’s fair and what’s legal. All while not completely discouraging future industry and jobs down the road. As was pointed out at the meeting, once certain provincial ministries get involved and give their approval, there’s only so much a municipality can do. That’s a scenario that has played out just north in Erinsville, where Stone Mills council finds itself between a rock and a hard place regarding a hog farm-the rock being the public’s concerns over the location of the farm, the hard place being no objections reported following environmental reviews.
In the case of the proposed asphalt plant, the fact that residents are showing an interest and voicing their concerns in a professional, constructive way is great to see. In the era of social media these issues can quickly spiral out of control and any valid points can quickly get lost in a sea of accusations, insults and general nastiness. On the opposite side, apathy on the part of residents isn’t beneficial to a community either.
By keeping their concerns reasonable and legitimate, they’ve given the town plenty to consider.
-Adam Prudhomme