Nothing can get a group of residents more riled up than local politics.
Federal and provincial issues, religion and the like get their share of discussion around the water cooler or the coffee klatch, but if you want to make sure you get into an animated discussion, just bring up the topic of local politics.
In Barrhead, there are two topics sure to elicit an opinion: amalgamation and the aquatic centre. No matter which side people fall on these issues, it is likely that the majority of people will have a strong opinion.
For residents in the Fort Assiniboine region it looks like a proposed gravel pit will also be one of these issues.
In January, Lafarge Canada submitted a development application, which, if accepted, would allow them to open a new gravel pit just outside the hamlet of Fort Assiniboine off of Highway 33, near the Fort Assiniboine river bridge.
Even though the application is still in the early stages, a number of people have already voiced an opinion on the proposed gravel pit, including Barrhead County.
Although the decision of whether or not to accept the proposal in large part will fall to Woodlands County council, Barrhead County council have voiced their concerns about having a potential gravel pit in the area and the effect it would have on their residents.
Barrhead County Council is especially concerned about the gravel pit’s operating hours. At the Feb. 3 regular council meeting, a number of councillors questioned if it was necessary for Lafarge Canada to operate the pit 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
County Reeve Bill Lee said, he for one, would like to see the gravel pit take Sunday off so there would be one day a week during which residents could travel on area highways and not be confronted by a number of large, gravel hauling, semi-trucks.
Unfortunately, like it or not, gravel pits are one of life’s necessary evils. No one really wants them, especially if they are going to be located close to a residential or environmentally sensitive area. Yet their product is necessary for a huge majority of construction projects. Without gravel, there is no concrete and the majority of building projects would come to a halt.
That being said, this proposed gravel pit in Fort Assiniboine should not be automatically approved. Time needs to be taken to examine all the facts and give residents the opportunity to learn about the project and voice their concerns.
Woodlands County council should be given credit for doing just that. They realize it is an important issue for their residents and have scheduled an open house followed by a public hearing on March 30 at the Fort Assiniboine Legion.
Hopefully both will be well attended. Although local politics may be one of the surest ways to start a debate, it is one people do not really get a regular opportunity to participate in. Fort Assiniboine residents here’s, your chance to do exactly that.
