Laidlaw Energy Group, Inc.(fka LLEG)

[rich sears]

Won’t deny there is some support for Laidlaw, at the moment. There are also many who want Mayor and Council to provide the facts as presented by experts and officials, not just Laidlaw. So that they can make up their own minds. It’s not just Mayor and Council and a hand full of NIMBY’s as some would believe.

Lorraine Leclerc Biomass Communication.
Ms. Leclerc suggests that the Mayor and Council hold a public forum to educate the people on the subject of biomass. She thinks the citizens should hear both sides of the story.

Mayor Bertrand replied that Lorraine has a great idea and it will be given serious consideration. Nothing is formalized yet but the Mayor and Council are taking steps in the right direction.

Councilor McCue added he thinks a public forum should be handled by the private sector and not the Mayor and Council.

Councilor Goudreau stated that we have public forums every week. There is a specific work session each month and the public is always welcome to attend. He is not against a public forum but affirmed that the Mayor and Council conduct a public forum each and every week for those who wish to attend. Councilor Goudreau appreciates Ms. Leclerc’s letter and encouraged her to not only attend meetings but to push others to attend as well.

Mayor Bertrand concurred and added there is too much information to be absorbed in just one night. It makes sense to break the info down into manageable bits.

Lorraine affirmed that the Mayor and Council are doing a great job and added that City Manager Pat MacQueen is an asset to the city. She explained that the reason for her letter is to get the Mayor and Council to keep an open mind and hear both sides. It seems as though they want Clean Power and are not giving anyone else a chance. Ms. Leclerc wants the Mayor and Council to stay open minded and concluded that we have to do anything we can to attract new business to this area.

Mayor Bertrand agrees with that sentiment and that the public has a right to know both sides. He personally thinks, for future generations, there is a better use for that property. A biomass just is not the right fit for the heart of the city.

Councilor Remillard remarked that Clean Power has been informative from the start and we know where we stand with them. It is hard to support Laidlaw since they have not provided the city with any information along the way.

http://www.berlinnh.gov/Pages/BerlinNH_CouncilMinutes/I022FE947

PS King, for the record, there’s another link for you.