Letter to TNRD

Here is the letter we sent off to TNRD this week. If you have written letters and would like to share them on the blog please send them my way (sylvia@webbedfeat.com). It might inspire others to write letters as well!

July 27, 2009

Mr. Don May, Manager, Environmental Health Services

Thompson Nicola Regional District

300- 465 Victoria Street

Kamloops V2C 2A9

Dear Mr. May:

We are writing with respect to the future handling of garbage and recycling in the Lac Le Jeune area. By now you will have received several letters outlining the many reasons Lac Le Jeune residents are opposed to a change to our current system. The reasons are very obvious to residents, but perhaps not as apparent to individuals who do not spend time in our community. They include:

• Our current system works. We are especially pleased with the recent introduction of an attendant and recycling bins at our transfer station.
• The current punch card system encourages recycling. With curbside pick up there is no incentive to recycle.
• Curbside garbage attracts bears and other animals.
• This plan is in conflict with BC Ministry of Environment advice for rural communities to “seriously consider eliminating curbside pick up”.
• Several residents are part-time, making it difficult to comply with scheduled curbside garbage pick up.
• We are concerned for the safety of children who wait for school buses, given the higher risk of dangerous animals in the area resulting from garbage.
• Curbside pick up would require that we invest in new containers. It is more likely that residents will need to store these large containers outside, which is odourous and, again, will attract animals.
• Many residents have long and/or steep, gravel driveways. It is difficult to wheel containers to the curb.
• Garbage containers on the streets are unattractive.

We are permanent residents of Lac Le Jeune and are actively involved in our community. We are particularly interested in enhancing communication among our community members so that we are aware of challenges and issues and make informed choices together. We maintain the Lac Le Jeune blog (http://laclejeune.blogspot.com) where residents are posting information regarding the plan to implement curbside garbage collection. There is currently a petition being circulated that has quickly filled with signatures of local residents opposing the planned change to our garbage collection system.

We were relieved to receive your notice last week of a public meeting to discuss the future of the Lac Le Jeune refuse transfer station. To our knowledge, this will be the first time Lac Le Jeune residents have been consulted about changes to our garbage collection system. Our initial correspondence received (but not by all residents) June 22, 2009 from Mrs. Ronaye Elliott stated that the decision to implement curbside garbage collection resulted from “the meetings that I have attended to listen to the people”. It was certainly a surprise to our community that a new “plan” was already underway; we were not included in the meetings Mrs. Elliot refers to.

We understand from your letter that at the August 11, 2009 public meeting you will be outlining options for future handling of garbage and recycling. We assume one option includes maintaining the current system. We are confident that when TNRD representatives read our letters, and listen to our reasons for opposing curbside garbage collection, they will agree that our current system should not be changed.

Sincerely,

Dr. Robert C. Brown and Sylvia Currie

PO Box 5037

Lac Le Jeune, BC V1S 1Y8

(250) 377-0063

gonefishing@webbedfeat.com

cc:

Mr. Steve Wasylik. Conservation Officer Services

Mr. Greg Toma, Chief Administrative Officer. TNRD

Mr. Peter Hughes. Director Environmental Services. TNRD

Mr. Martin Dickson, Environmental Service Technologist. TNRD

Mrs. Ronaye Elliott, Director Electoral Area "J" (Copper Desert Country)