Residents voiced strong opposition during a recent government meeting regarding a proposed development project that threatens local wildlife and the environment. Community members expressed their concerns about the logging of mature pine trees, which took 33 years to grow, and the potential construction of hotels and golf courses in the area.

One resident, Diane Bedard, highlighted the lack of access to the proposed hotel site, questioning how visitors would reach the location and whether it would attract enough traffic to be viable. Another speaker, who has lived in the Ahochi Hill Wildlife Sanctuary for two decades, emphasized the importance of preserving the land for wildlife, particularly the tortoises that have thrived in the area due to conservation efforts.

Concerns were also raised about safety issues related to increased traffic from the proposed development. A resident described the dangerous conditions of exiting their driveway onto a busy road, where the speed limit is 55 miles per hour. They warned that the proposed access point for the development is poorly situated, posing significant risks to both residents and drivers.

The meeting underscored a collective plea from the community to reject the rezoning and any deviations from current land use regulations, as residents fear that the proposed development would irreparably harm the local ecosystem and their quality of life.