Tensions between Three Rivers councillors and some residents spill over at planning meeting
CBC
Tensions are spilling over in the municipality of Three Rivers over land use, draft development bylaws and concerns about foreign ownership connected to a group of Buddhist monks and nuns who have settled in eastern Prince Edward Island.
Words were exchanged again this week between residents and the chair of the town's planning board during a nearly three-hour meeting — a meeting that saw one person storm out.
Blair Sorrey of Brudenell, a pastor at the United Pentecostal Community Chapel in Montague, started his presentation talking about how he is "appalled and sickened" by the state the community is now in. He then proceeded to talk about the increase in immigration in the region.
That touched off a fiery exchange between Sorrey and Anne Van Donkersgoed, chair of the planning board with Three Rivers.
Van Donkersgoed made it clear at the start of the meeting that the discussion had to be focused on proposed changes to the development bylaw, not immigration or land owned by the Great Enlightenment Buddhist Institute Society (GEBIS) or the Great Wisdom Buddhist Institute (GWBI).
"So you are not going to let me speak?" said Sorrey.
Van Donkersgoed responded: "If you have something to contribute to the bylaw changes, go for it."
"Well, there you have it folks — shut down."
Many of the 25 or so people in attendance then began to applaud.
Two security guards were posted outside the meeting, which was held at Three Rivers Town Hall in Montague.
Last week, the town moved one of its full council meetings online, instead of holding it in person, after somebody posted on social media that it was "time to get the guns out and sharpen those knives" with regard to land issues in the municipality.
RCMP have confirmed that they are investigating that online post.
At the planning meeting, Victoria Cross resident Janice MacBeth rose to speak about zoning issues — in particular, concerns about institutional zoning in areas where the Buddhist and nuns are living in communal settings.
"Our provincial government and our municipality is supporting the development of gated communities not open to the general public," MacBeth told planning board members.
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