Suddenly when two members of a church group dare smoke marijuana in the name of religion within city limits, the wheels of government begin to roll. Amen for perfect timing. Last month, city council directed staff to take action regarding the Kanmet site after neighborhood complaints about members of the Church of the Universe moving into the vacant industrial building. Area residents want the church out and the city to do something to clean up what they fear is a contaminated site threatening the environment. The church uses marijuana as a sacrament and neighbors say that will attract trouble to the area.
Police say they have had no problems with the church.
Staff were also directed to investigate the site under city zoning and fire regulations, related to church members living in what's an industrial building. Mr. Long said he invited Regv. Michael Baldasaro and Rev. Walter Tucker to Kanmet after they were kicked out of a Guelph foundry by city officials there. Mr. Long said he needed their help to keep Kanmet secure from vandals. A city purchase of the Kanmet site may not be an easy sell to council - not with the Church of the Universe perhaps coming along as part of the deal.