I am writing in response to Brenda Jordison’s letter regarding what she sees as bullying tactics by the residents of Tanner Ridge towards Foundation Organics.
No one involved here is ganging up on a poor defenceless business owner. Never mind that this business should never have been set up on a farm in the first place because it is in an industrial, rather than an agricultural, concern.
The business in question has behaved in a disrespectful manner towards its neighbourhood since it began.
Central Saanich bylaws have been flouted (the District has filed suit against Foundation Organics) and the operations plan it submitted to the CRD hasn’t been abided by, including such things as doors have been constantly left open when the plan stated they would be closed and compost is reported to have been sold when agricultural compost is to be exclusively applied to the land it was made on.
This is not a poor little business trying to get by and get along with its neighbours. This is an aggressive, law-flouting business that is polluting the air in Central Saanich and not even trying to make nice with the community.
It’s also more than just a bad smell we’re dealing with.
Many of us have developed acute sinus and respiratory problems or those with chronic health issues have experienced exacerbation of their symptoms.
Bottom line: this is an unhealthy, unfriendly and inappropriate industrial operation that does not belong in a residential neighbourhood and it most certainly should be shut down.
The residents of Tanner Ridge and Martindale Valley are the ones who have been bullied by Foundation Organics and now we’re fighting back.
Andree Penrice
Central Saanich