Stacey Gaiga, Alberni Valley Times, July 29, 2010

Port Alberni is an affordable, centrally located city with easy access to great spots all over the Island. We have been struggling to transition from resource based industries to diversify our economy for future stability and fortunately, we live in one of the most beautiful places in the world; attracting retirees, young entrepreneurs, new families and commercial investment. We endure a stinky mill and get rated as one of the worst cities in Canada almost yearly yet our tight knit community endures.

One way to guarantee we don't survive though, is to add coal to this equation.

B.C. Assessment explained that bringing coal through Port Alberni will have a "dramatic and negative affect on the value of real estate." With over 500 properties on the market already, many people stand to lose. The city's tax base would decrease and if they raised taxes again to compensate, it would be political suicide.

The Raven Coal project threatens our way of life. The risks and detrimental repercussions far outweigh any benefits marketed by the company. The few jobs Raven Coal is promoting will in fact threaten many more, now and in the future: 500-700 jobs in the Baynes Sound Shellfish industry producing 39% of the oysters and 55% of the Manila clams in B.C, to start.

Besides the diesel fuel and coal dust spewing from trucks and ocean liners through the air and throughout our community and at the receiving facility, flowing into our inlet to salmon and other marine life, the most unsettling reality is the serious hazard at the Port Authority. They want to house coal in an enclosed facility, beside residential and industrial neighbours, a marine museum, a marina and boating/kayaking/kite-sailing passers-by; the storage facility will be highly combustible and susceptible to spontaneous combustion and or explosion.

This is nothing to be concerned with though, according to John Tapics, president of Raven Coal. When I replied by saying "The only people who will benefit from this coal project are the shareholders and himself," he was silent and just stared at me.

Stacey Gaiga
Port Albernii.

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