THE MINES ROAD QUARRY - Comments by Larry Rockwell

My name is Larry Rockwell. I live at 125 Rockwell Drive in Mount Uniacke. I have lived at the same address since 1984 and grew up in the community.

With respect to the June 2022 Edition of the Uniacke Newsletter, I am also a "concerned citizen". I am concerned, surprised and disappointed that the editors of the Uniacke Newsletter would allow people to express their apocalyptic views about the Uniacke Mines Quarry, while hiding behind a curtain of anonymity. The construction of a rock quarry that could be in the area for a long time needs to be debated, but debated in an open manner, with the opinions and views based on facts, not on something that may have been read on Facebook. Who are these "concerned citizens"? How have they been personally affected to date and how do they expect to be affected in the future?

The present quarry operates under government regulations and is monitored. An application for a large expansion would require a complete environment assessment, with a corresponding increase in government oversight. The expansion would happen over many years, with a number of presently "concerned citizens", including myself, no longer around. Expansion approval would give a semblance of long-term job security to quarry workers, truck drivers, etc. and encourage them to reside in the community.

The condition of the Mines Road is undoubtedly a nuisance to those living along it, and to those around the Cockscomb Lake. It is a gravel road, and not a well-constructed one at that. It was thus before the trucks arrived. Prior to the quarry there probably was not enough traffic to justify major improvements. Now there is. As to the quarry itself - it operates under government regulation. It is on a height of land with no water courses to carry sediment. No results of any adverse tests as to sediment or air quality were mentioned in the Newsletter. Blasting takes place three or four times a year. Four thunderclaps a year, surely greatly out-performed by Nature, is hardly a great burden, even to those living closest to the quarry.

I found it rather amusing another "concerned citizen" followed a loaded truck to HRM and felt this was a bad thing. The "quarry", as I understand it, is a subsidiary company, engaged in the business of producing and selling aggregate. The trucker, company, or individual, buys the product at a competitive pit price, then transports it to the final customers, be they in Mount Uniacke, HRM or Timbuktu, at a higher price, to cover haulage fees, truck driver salary, purchase of truck, fuel, maintenance, etc. The final price for this truckload of gravel is further increased by 15% GST, 8% going to the provincial government. The "pit price" goes to pay the worker's salary, return on the owner's investment, purchase and maintenance of machinery and supplies, etc. Money does stay in the community, and with permanent jobs, more would do so. There are third generation families living in Mount Uniacke engaged in the trucking business and whose living depends, in part, on the ability to purchase and sell aggregate at a competitive price. I suspect that currently, Tim Horton's would miss the truckers. Some aggregate is used locally. I spoke with a trucker recently who delivered a load from the quarry to Partridge Lane at the request of the purchaser, because it was cheaper, given the short haul, than obtaining it elsewhere.

Route One through Mount Uniacke is a major, busy, provincial highway. It is not a side street. Jamming a children's playground up against the side of it, with no provision for parking, or other safety measures, will not change that fact. If I were a parent, or grandparent, with children accessing that skate park, I would be a VERY "concerned citizen".

For those readers who have already forgotten, my name is Larry Rockwell. I live at 125 Rockwell Drive in Mount Uniacke.

And hey, the Butchart Gardens are located in an old rock quarry.

Larry Rockwell

UNIACKE NEWSLETTER COMMENT: Please note that NONE of the comments / revelations made above, previously OR before and after these thoughts in ANY written or verbal comments / submissions to the Uniacke Newsletter are made by the editors of the Uniacke Newsletter. This is a community Newsletter and we follow the reactions of our readers near and far regarding the sharing of their experiences within and around our community of Mount Uniacke to understand and hopefully maintain a peaceful and pleasant living environment.