Wabush residents still fighting for their say on amalgamation with Labrador City - Action News
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Wabush residents still fighting for their say on amalgamation with Labrador City

Rita Pynn isn't sure if she wants her town to amalgamate with Labrador City; she just wants the opportunity to vote on the issue and to know exactly why council is against it.

Some residents say town council hasn't explained why there won't be a plebiscite

Wabush council chambers was at its capacity of 40 last month. Residents brought a petition requesting a plebiscite, and several people were asked to stand outside. (Jacob Barker/CBC)

For the second time, Wabush town council has decided not to have a plebiscite on amalgamation with Labrador City.

That decision isn't sitting well with some residents in the community.

Last monththe town hall reached its capacitywhen a group of residents presented a petition to council, asking it to revisit its decision not to have a plebiscite.

Rita Pynn, who represents thegroup of concerned citizens, said they want to know why council doesn't want any input from the community.

"It seems they're just saying nowithout us, without the residents, knowing why they are saying no," said Pynn.

Rita Pynn says council should at least issue an explanation for denying her group's request for a referendum. (Jacob Barker/CBC)

In June, the council indicated it would reconsider its decision, but on July 5 it issued a notice thanking the residents who attended the meeting with their petition, but reaffirming it would not be having a plebiscite.

"They have no respect for the opinions of the people of Wabush," Pynn said. "They just blatantly said no.They don't care what anybody else says."

Man in dark suit
Wabush Mayor Ron Barron said council would discuss the request to revisit the decision on the plebiscite, and on July 5 council issued a statement saying it upheld its original decision. (Jacob Barker/CBC)

While Wabush Mayor Ron Barron has said publicly that he is against amalgamation, Pynn has yet to make her decision on the issue.

What she's fighting for is her right to vote on it.

"If this is going to be a detrimental thing to our community, then people may say no," Pynn said. "But we haven't been given the right to have that vote, and we haven't been given the information."

Read more from CBC Newfoundland and Labrador

With files from Labrador Morning and Jacob Barker