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Wal-Mart site blasted
PETER COWAN, Guelph Mercury
GUELPH (Aug 6, 2004)
Wal-Mart attracted a lot of people last night, but they weren't in the mood for shopping.
Burlington's Vickey Chen received an e-mail about the Wal-Mart planned in the north end of Guelph and felt so strongly she drove all the way to the Royal City to speak out against it.
"Wal-Mart is a symbol of consumerism," she said at the Ontario Municipal Board's public hearing last night. "What it promotes is in direct contrast to what Jesus teaches through the Jesuits."
Chen, a professor of pathology and molecular medicine at McMaster University, attended a retreat in 2002 at the Ignatius Jesuit Centre which is located near the site of the proposed store. Her experience at the centre was life-changing.
"You have a national treasure," she told the board members and the over 200 people gathered at the Italian Canadian Club for the hearing.
Chen was one of the overwhelming majority of speakers at last night's OMB hearing that spoke in opposition to the Wal-Mart proposed for the corner of Woodlawn and Woolwich streets in the north end of Guelph. It was the third day for the hearing which wraps up next week.
Many of the opponents shared her views that the added noise and traffic Wal-Mart would bring to the area would be detrimental to the peace and tranquility people seek at the Ignatius Jesuit Centre.
Outside the Ferguson Street hearing, 25 protesters took part in a street theatre performance where actors used musical instruments and costume to tell the story of the City of Guelph.
"We did this to give an alternate view of the Wal-Mart story," said Brian Holstein who played the ring leader.
The story ends with the citizens chasing away from the city a person dressed as a giant Wal-Mart.
"It's almost a pre-game rally," Holstein said.
He said the groups aim was not to influence the board members but to encourage people to speak up on the issue.
Inside the meeting, one of the few people who spoke in favour of Wal-Mart's application was failed 2003 mayoralty candidate Bill Craven.
Craven called the Jesuits "hypocritical" for opposing Wal-Mart when they are already selling meat and produce themselves and have office spaces at the retreat centre. He reminded the board of a 9,000-name petition signed in 1999 supporting a Wal-Mart in Guelph.
Last night's meeting remained under control but was interrupted by board member Robert Boxma after spectators clapped after one person's presentation.
"Did you not hear the first thing in my opening remarks? No applause," Boxma said.
After that, to support speaker people gave the thumbs up sign, until Boxma stopped that too.
With 60 people pre-registered to speak in the four hours allotted, the board made the unusual decision to take written submissions. Anyone wanting to have their views considered may submit them at Guelph City hall before the end of Monday next week.
Those submissions will be read by the board. Lawyers for the city, Wal-Mart and Residents for Sustainable Development can highlight sections to bring to the board's attention.
John Newstead, who was scheduled to speak as number 57 on the list, was not impressed by the decision to cut off submissions.
"People are being denied the right to speak," he said. "This should be run better."
Newstead said the board should have foreseen this and added a second night.
The hearing will continue next week.
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