THIS WEEK

MAC WILL SHUN DEBATE

McDonald's has turned down the chance to speak at a public meeting on Thursday organised to discuss the controversial scheme to turn the White Lion pub into a drive-thru restaurant.

Mr David Ward, communications officer for London North and South, told the Observer: "We do want to listen to the views of all sections of the local community, but we don't want to attend a large public venue where we would have to give an immediate response. We would prefer to listen to people's views, digest them and then respond to their concerns." Mr Ward said he would like to hear a summary of the objections "in a more controlled environment" and has suggested a meeting of two McDonald's representatives and two from the East Grinstead Coalition Against the McDonald's Plan on neutral territory.

But protester Richard Tassell said he wanted an open meeting with the public present to hear any comments made. "It is disappointing, as I wanted McDonald's to put forward their point of view in order to be as fair as possible," he said.

Mr Tassell added that McDonald's will be represented at the meeting in spirit however, as a dummy with a Ronald McDonald clown mask on will be sitting on stage along with the speakers at the forum.

GARBAGE PROTEST AT McDONALD'S SITE

A green campaigner has collected loads of McDonald's rubbish - and taken it back to the restaurant it came from. Richard Tassell collected a big bag of litter and took it back to the Haslett Avenue outlet. He said: "I am returning the unreycled, non-bdegradable packaging to highlight the wasteful and harmful effects of the mountains of packaging used by McDonald's". He says he collected the bag of rubbish in just under an hour within a 50-metre radius of the burger joint. Mr Tassell is also protesting against plans to convert the White Lion pub in East Grinstead into a McDonald's. He said: "I hope this acts as a warning to the people of East Grinstead before they let McDonald's into their town."

McDONALD'S - WHY ALL THE FUSS

McDonald's have applied to the Council to open a new restaurant in Katoomba. The plan is to build the restaurant on the corner of the Great Western Highway and Camp St, where the Alpine Motor Inn now stands. If the application is successful the motel will be demolished and McDonald's will open their new store in mid-1997. A success in Katoomba will probably encourage McDonald's to open future stores in the Mountains so the issue could have far-reaching effects for local residents.

The anti-McDonald's forces are mobilising their campaigns - their aim is to stop the Council granting the Development Application so that the restaurant cannot be built.

[The DA will be considered by the Council towards the end of October.] [The article goes on to set out criticisms of McDonald's over 5 pages on "health & nutrition", "workers' rights", "international record", and then introduces the McLibel case including the McSpotlight URL.]

McNATURALS PROPOSAL FOR McDONALD'S

McDonald's Australia have been asked to consider opening a restaurant in the Blue Mountains "serving genuinely healthy, locally produced, environmentally friendly food" and operating under the title of McNatural's.

The suggestion has come from Brandon Raynor, a naturopath and chairperson of EarthSave (NSW) in conjunction with the Earth Repair Foundation, Hazelbrook. "We have researched many food items and packing appropriate for such a store and amongst us are experts who would be willing to advise on organic food standards and the world's best practices associated with natural foods," Mr Raynor said in a letter to Mr Charlie Bell, managing director of McDonald's Australia.

"We are aware that McDonald's served a high carbohydrate, low fat meal, that is presently not available in Australia to the athletes in Atlanta," the letter states. "With the Green Olympics coming to Sydney in the year 2000, the sponsorship of the games by McDonald's will surely come under scrutiny. "Working together we can produce a profitable restaurant dedicated to human health, dietary education, ecological sustainability, fulfilling employment and community well being.

"Your critics will be fewer, and the children of today will have an earth worth inheriting."

'UNIQUENESS UNDER THREAT

Katoomba would lose its uniqueness if a McDonald's franchise was allowed to be established on the corner of Camp Street and the Great Western Highway, Anne Elliott, of Mountains Residents for Animal Rights, said this week. While the news of McDonald's second attempt to establish an outlet in the Upper Mountains was not surprising, their desire to become "an active and valued part of the community" was laughable, she said, as McDonalds's previous attempt fractured the community.

While quick to point out new employment opportunities and a payroll of $900,000 per annum in last week's Gazette, McDonald's had made no mention of how much money would leave the area or of the serious impact McDonald's had on local small business.

"Every time someone patronises a fast food chain, they are putting another nail in the coffin of small business. All in the quest for clean toliets, cheap 'junk' food and a place for children's birthday parties!

"With over 500 McDonald's outlets throughout Australia and a corporate plan that no one should be more than five minutes' drive from a McDonald's, those of us who care about the environment, children's health and our unique Australian heritage have every reason to be concerned," said Anne Elliott.

EarthSave (NSW) are planning protests to take place on the World Day of Action Against McDonald's, Wed 16th October. People interested in this action are advised to contact Brandon Raynor on (047) 59 2460. Young and old; conservative or radical; all are welcome at this protest.

The campaign of "Belper Against McDonald's" (BAM) is gaining momentum and support. A preliminary meeting to consider McDonald's proposed development on the A6* will take place at Ripley Town Hall on 15th October 1996. BAM are encouraging local residents to attend. There have already been several letters in the local paper, the Belper News, most of which have been opposed to the plan. BAM are collecting names on petitions.

* McDonald's have applied for a store at the Orangery (a listed building), on the south side of Belper.




Tel 01773 821326

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McDonald's are trying to get permission to open a store in Belper, Derbyshire (UK) on the A6. If they have their way, the Golden Arches would be one of the first things that people would see as they entered the beautiful Peak District. What's more, they want to take over and radically restructure a historic, listed building. This is all on a road and at a roundabout which already have congestion problems. Belper Against McDonald's is campaigning against the plan. Here are details of their activities:

(1) Town Council meeting, Belper - 7pm, Tues 15th Oct

(2) Sat 19th Oct - petition and info stall on Belper High St

(3) Borough Council meeting, Ripley (when the final decision on the plan will be made) - Wed 30th Oct

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