Re: “ ‘Free’ plant an insult, Esquimalt mayor says,” June 19.
First, I would like to correct a repeated inaccuracy in coverage of Esquimalt’s rezoning of McLoughlin Point. In July 2013, Esquimalt zoned McLoughlin for sewage treatment but included setback and community impact conditions to make it acceptable. The Capital Regional District wanted to put a bigger plant there than was allowed, and the people of Esquimalt and the region resoundingly said no.
Second, I wish to address the bribe offered by the CRD to Esquimalt. It’s absolutely repulsive that CRD chairman Alistair Bryson would offer this. When the Stanhope Farm composting facility caused complaints from his municipality of Central Saanich, the CRD shut it down, throwing organic-waste disposal into chaos in our region. Yet he wants to offer a one-time financial benefit to Esquimalt to override their concerns about something that’s not even built and not even required for another five or six years.
The Core Area Liquid Waste Management Committee has lost its way. It’s time to disband the committee, disband the Seaterra Commission, and let local leaders like Colwood’s Mayor Carol Hamilton and Esquimalt’s Mayor Barb Desjardins show us the way to work together for win-win solutions.
Susan Low
Esquimalt
