Cold doesn't deter people from gathering

Feb. 16, 2009

MIRAMICHI - When the Weyerehaeuser mill was running, Valmond Rousselle was working in their wood yard unloading trucks.

The yard was run by Coastal Millyard and he found work with them at different sites when the mill closed.

"I was one of the lucky ones."

But not everyone was as fortunate as Rousselle and about 200 people showed up at the mill Saturday morning for a rally to pressure the government to help with a potential sale get the mill open.

It was a cold morning as the crowd started to gather under an overcast sky across the road from the oriented strand board mill.

Rally organizer Dawn MacDonald passed out T-shirts with the words "help save our OSB mill" in bold print on the front and a simple "help" on the back.

There were a few complaints about the cold, but most people were prepared and bundled up in heavy winter coats and hats.

A sign planted high up on a snow bank greeted drivers as they passed men and women who handed out leaflets to any cars that stopped long enough to grab one.

Despite the occasional stopped car, there was never a build up of traffic along that section of Water Street and the rallyers stayed out of the way as much as possible to avoid any problems.

Harold Hannah was a former shift supervisor at the mill and worked there off and on through different owners since 1970.

He attended the rally because he said people don't know what's going on with the mill sale and want to see a commitment made.

"People have a concern and they're wondering what's going on."

But Hannah said he thinks the government is doing what it needs to do to make sure the mill stays open if someone buys it.

"It's no good starting it up and shutting it down in two years."

There was a hopeful atmosphere between the heavy snow banks as former employees mingled with other members of the community to talk about the impact the mill closure had on the Miramichi.

CEP Local 181 president Dwayne Hancock was another former employee at the rally and with the union patch visible on his jacket he said he was impressed by the turnout.

"I'm very glad to see the community supporting it here."

The government should do everything in its power to work with Arbec on the mill sale, he said.

"Wood allocation shouldn't have been an issue for this mill."

Hancock said he hopes the local and provincial governments realize the need for the mill in the Miramichi.

"Although the forest industry is a changing industry this was a successful mill and this mill has a future."

Although natural resources is a provincial issue, Miramichi MP Tilly O'Neil- Gordon made a brief appearance to show her support and said she was impressed by the turnout.

"I sure hope this makes an impact on the provincial government."

The rally was supposed to run until noon, but the cold and wind drove many of the supporters away as they morning wore on.

By 11:30 a.m., there were only a few people left to gather what was left of the pylons and signs.

Despite the cold, MacDonald said she was happy to see so many people show up, including local MLAs John Foran, Bill Fraser and Carmel Robichaud.

"I was really pleased with the turnout and the support that we received."

The MLAs were optimistic about the mill's sale and told the crowd they are working with Arbec to help move things forward.

MacDonald said the rallyers handed out about 200-300 leaflets to passing motorists throughout the morning and the next step is to get people to sign a petition she plans to take to the legislature when the next session opens.

"Keep the public aware of what's happening and it's our job as citizens to keep the government on their toes."

As for Rousselle, he said the Weyerehaeuser mill was a good place to work and he would go back if it reopened.

"I did work here before and I would like to come back."