Sandra Kinart speaks to Sarnia City Council on May 30, 2016. BlackburnNews.com photo by Stephanie Chaves.Sandra Kinart speaks to Sarnia City Council on May 30, 2016. BlackburnNews.com photo by Stephanie Chaves.
Sarnia

VOCV Pleads Its Case To City Council

The Victims of Chemical Valley voiced its opinion and concerns with ongoing remediation at Sarnia's Centennial Park.

Sandra Kinart spoke on behalf of the group Monday.

Kinart, who lost her husband to mesothelioma 12 years ago, says council's decision to have a hill with encapsulated contaminated soil near the Missing Worker Memorial is a slap in the face.

"So you're putting that asbestos hill right next door to us, and I have to say I really don't want to have that happen and I don't know anybody in this room that want's to have that happen," says Kinart.

"That's like plunking your tombstone right in front of you every time you go there, thats essentially what you're doing to us."

Councillor Mike Kelch, who revealed during the meeting he undergoes yearly tests for exposure to asbestos, says he understands the groups concerns however, supports the direction the city and council has taken.

"This is something that needs to be done systemically we need to have a plan, the MOE has approved it, the Ministry of Health, the local health examiner they have been with us since day one and we're following their guidance, and I think we're on the right path," says Kelch.

Approvals for remediation have taken longer than expected and the park will not fully reopen to the public now until November.

The original goal was Labour Day.

Victims Of Chemical Valley members at Sarnia City Council May 30, 2016Victims Of Chemical Valley members at Sarnia City Council May 30, 2016

Victims Of Chemical Valley members at Sarnia City Council May 30, 2016Victims Of Chemical Valley members at Sarnia City Council May 30, 2016

Victims Of Chemical Valley members at Sarnia City Council May 30, 2016Victims Of Chemical Valley members at Sarnia City Council May 30, 2016

Victims Of Chemical Valley members at Sarnia City Council May 30, 2016Victims Of Chemical Valley members at Sarnia City Council May 30, 2016

Read More Local Stories

Rogers Centre in Toronto before a game between the Blue Jays and Baltimore Orioles, August 7, 2024. Photo by Mark Brown/WindsorNewsToday.ca

Scoreboard, May 13

The Toronto Blue Jays lost 7-6 in 10 innings to Tampa Bay. The Kitchener Rangers are OHL champions.