SPN Editorial: Promises, promises, promises
Commentary by Jeff Burgar
for South Peace News
Tammy Napier has a legitimate concern.
Napier is the High Prairie citizen who got the surprise of her life two winters ago. Winter was slowly wrapping Canada in its cool embrace. Flakes of snow drifted down from the sky. It was night, the wee hours of the morning. A soft blanket of snow covered the Earth as snow continued to fall.
Then, floodlights, similar to those of sentries discovering a prison break in progress, flashed to life, setting the snow ablaze with light. The thunder of diesel engines filled the air. The constant beep-beep-beep of machinery backing up and turning and backing up some more joined the cacophony. More engines starting up. More noise. More lights.
It was all, according to Napier, quite frightening the first time it happened.
In short, it was not a happy night in the Napier home right across from Carillion Canada’s yard. Carillion is responsible for snow removal and maintenance on the main highways in this area. The noise, the lights, the beep-beep-beep, all just a day in the life of what happens whenever the plows and trucks and loaders have to go to work.
So, Napier did what any normal person would do. She covered up her windows. She probably tried some earplugs. She might have thought about medication to help her sleep.
But in the end, she appealed to her local government to help in any way possible. That government would be High Prairie town council.
The wonderful news is, her local government was extremely sympathetic.
Yes, of course, Carillion is operating a perfectly legitimate business.
Yes, of course, the Carillion operation is well within the permitted uses of the Carillion land, it being an industrial area and all that.
But no matter, we’re going to talk with Carillion. We’re going to find a way to reduce the impact of their operations.
Even better, we’re going to build a sound barrier that will stop the noise.
Even better, we’re going to build a tall fence that will block the light.
Two years ago, there were a few councillors who wondered exactly how all this would happen. Maybe there is a secret plan how to do things without spending taxpayer money. Maybe they have some kind of super duper answer to this sticky situation. After all, some are sure talking that way. Wonder no more.
Here we are, two years later. Half a fence is built. None of the noise is reduced. None of the light is reduced.
And Napier is writing letters and wants to know, what about those town council promises and that super duper answer?
It's a fair question.
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