Petition started at anti-biomedical incinerator emergency meeting in Ryley

Residents of the Village of Ryley held an emergency meeting at the Legion Thursday night to organize themselves against the G-M Pearson bio-medical waste incinerator project proposed for Beaver County’s Equity Industrial Park just east of the village.

The residents became upset after reading an article in an Edmonton-based newspaper which indicated that Ryley Mayor Brian Ducherer thought the project was a good one.

Meeting organizer Jolene Wigington stated prior to the meeting: “The Village Council doesn’t think the people are opposed.” She said the (council) will try to sell the village’s wastewater to G-M Pearson, which needs water for its cooling process.

“Without that (water) I don’t think G-M Pearson can operate,” she said. Those attending the meeting spent much of the time discussing how to persuade the village they are not in favour of helping G-M Pearson establish itself by using the town’s wastewater.

A petition is being circulated throughout the village with 20 per cent of voters needed to sign to present to council requesting it hold a plebiscite on the issue. People started to sign up after the meeting ended, with Dale Roth and Janet Peterson stating they would be going door to door in Ryley for people to sign the petition.

“I’ll go to every house on my hands and knees,” said… for more see the Feb. 24/15 Mercury