Re: Comments by William MacLean, Wildflower Marijuana Inc. CEO, in a recent edition of The NEWS.
As a resident of the River’s Edge community, I was disappointed to read the comments by MacLean in reply to the firm community opposition to their venture. A good corporate citizen would have engaged the community directly affected by the proposed operation in advance of applying for a licence for such activity. In this case, there was no such dialogue with the community that would be potentially affected by this development.
The proposal to build such a facility at this location, a decision which was made by just a few people, is strongly opposed by the majority of the many residents who would be affected by such development.
A corporation which is interested in environmental sustainability would understand that placing an operation at this specific location over a stressed aquifer is untenable, and furthermore would have recognized the several direct impacts on air and water quality, sparse water resources, community road access and traffic congestion, wildlife (light and noise pollution) and on the quality of life and welfare of the residents of the community, many of whom have invested their life’s savings in building a special place to reside.
River’s Edge community is situated in the Englishman River catchment area which is rich in natural flora and fauna, hosts sensitive and already threatened ecosystems, and has high value for the many recreational opportunities it affords. A good corporate citizen also would understand the unsuitability of this venture to be located adjacent to a retreat centre and summer camp for children.
Initial dialogue with our community in an open and transparent manner would surely have lead MacLean to conclude, as the community has, that there is nothing of benefit to the community of River’s Edge in having such an industrial agricultural facility located at the proposed site. It would degrade our community values and quality of life substantially.
Tim EnglandNanoose Bay
