City councillor Bernd Staeben says something must be done about the ongoing problem of illegal dumping in and around Corner Brook.
Staeben is chair of the City of Corner Brook’s protective services committee, which has yet to meet to discuss the latest instance of dumping to make the headlines.
As reported in Tuesday’s edition of The Western Star, a large amount of trash was left on the side of Lady Slipper Road, a forest access road just west of the city, some time this past weekend.
Related stories:
Avid outdoorsman infuriated by illegal dumping on woods road near Corner Brook
“We will be meeting next week and I’m pretty sure this will be at the top of the list of things we’ll be discussing,” said Staeben.
The city’s municipal enforcement office has launched an investigation into the mess that was left. Staeben said he hasn’t gotten an update on that effort, but sources have told The Western Star that some of the trash left behind may lead to identifying who was responsible for dumping it.
If that’s the case, said Staeben, he hopes justice will be served swiftly and firmly.
“This is unacceptable behaviour and something needs to be done now,” said Staeben.
The city uses surveillance cameras to try and catch illegal dumpers, but Staeben doesn’t think they’ve been set up in the Lady Slipper Road area.
“Maybe it is time we do that,” he said.
Coun. Tony Buckle was often vocal about the need to clean up litter from Corner Brook’s streets during his first term in office. He even initiated a successful campaign to pay people to collect discarded paper beverage containers.
He said maybe an incentive can be found for people who have information leading to the prosecution of people who illegally dump items in bulk.
“Surely someone out there knows who did this,” he said.
He echoed Staeben’s sentiments that anyone caught should face stiff penalties to deter them and any other like-minded people from doing the same in the future.
“If I had my way, anyone caught doing this would be made to clean up the streets for a month,” said Buckle.
