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February 16, 2007 - 5:18AM

Foes voice concerns on Chandler Covance lab

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Chris Markham, Tribune

Dozens of Chandler residents turned out as promised Thursday to voice continued opposition to drug-tester Covance’s plans to build a large laboratory in their city.

About 30 people picketed outside before a meeting at Chandler-Gilbert Community College by city and county officials to address questions related to industrial development in Chandler Airpark, which includes Covance.

Resident Jennifer Hill said the meeting left her “scared.”

“There’s too many things we don’t know,” she said.

About 100 people attending the meeting knew the discussion would revolve around Covance, which plans to build its $125-million facility near Gilbert and Queen Creek roads by 2009.

Opponents say they’re afraid the company will bring disease, air and water pollution, and animal cruelty to Chandler.

The crowd, overwhelmingly opposed to Covance, appeared frustrated with city staff who could not answer many questions about the firm, specifically because it has not yet filed for city permits.

And audience members eventually received a tonguelashing from City Councilman Matt Orlando after several continually interrupted staff members.

Orlando, who hadn’t planned to speak, abruptly took the stage at one point, telling the crowd he was “appalled” by its behavior.

“Let’s have a little decorum,” he said. “This is not how democracy is run.”

Hill responded: “If you can’t answer our questions ... that’s where the frustration comes from.”

Covance is a global contract laboratory company headquartered in Princeton, N.J. The company conducts laboratory testing of drugs under development for other companies, some of which involves using animals.

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