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Harrison's mayor responds to public letter

No 'secret deal' with local developer, Facio says

Harrison's mayor Leo Facio took a few moments in a recent council meeting to defend himself, following the distribution of a disparaging letter throughout the Village.

The letter, sent out to Village mailboxes through Canada Post in early April by resident and business owner John Allen, states that the community is being "deceived" by Facio through an OCP amendment. The amendment, which has received third reading and is awaiting adoption, states council will review and amend resource land designations to respond to current information and changing conditions.

Allen's letter mirrors statements he has made at council meetings and a public hearing set out for the OCP amendment. He believes the amendment is too ambiguous. But the letter also accuses the mayor of making a "secret deal" with Peter Kingma, a developer whose company owns a large parcel of land that is piecemealed across the Village.

"I have never been an associate of or partner of or close friend of Mr. Kingma, or belonged to his company or had any dealings with his company, ever," Facio said at the Apr. 15 council meeting. "I think it's terrible this kind of literature can be in people's mailboxes. I did not slip any weasel words into the OCP as Mr. Allen has stated."

news@ahobserver.com

 



Jessica Peters

About the Author: Jessica Peters

I began my career in 1999, covering communities across the Fraser Valley ever since.
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