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Forest companies cancel Alberni council appearance

Forest companies pull out of scheduled Alberni council meeting, citing ‘safety concerns’
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Local forest companies will not be making an appearance at the city of Port Alberni’s next council meeting. NEWS FILE PHOTO

Local forest companies will not be making an appearance at the city of Port Alberni’s next council meeting as planned, citing safety concerns.

“For safety reasons, they have withdrawn as a delegation,” said Alicia Puusepp, manager of communications, on Thursday, Dec. 7.

Following concern about locked gates and back road access around the Alberni Valley, the city announced at an Oct. 23 meeting of council that they would be inviting Island Timberlands and TimberWest to a future meeting to discuss the policies of the two companies and to hear public complaints.

READ: City of Port Alberni jumps into locked gate fray

During a Monday, Nov. 29 meeting of council, Councillor Chris Alemany asked when council would be hearing from representatives from local forest companies, and the answer was the Dec. 11 regular meeting of council.

Notices were immediately posted to Facebook about the Dec. 11 meeting, recommending that local forest users attend the meeting—one of which garnered 275 shares over a week.

Puusepp said that the city is still in discussions with Island Timberlands and TimberWest to see how they can most effectively work with citizens. A meeting between the city, the forest companies and the public is not completely off the table, but it may not happen in a council chamber setting.

“At this point they need to determine what is the most appropriate venue or forum to hold this discussion,” said Puusepp.

elena.rardon@albernivalleynews.com



Elena Rardon

About the Author: Elena Rardon

I have worked with the Alberni Valley News since 2016.
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