Arthur Caldicott, Alberni Valley Times, July 20, 2011

Re: "Raven will respond to public comment period," (Alberni Valley Times, July 5)

Compliance Coal Corporation's John Tapics says he's pleased with the results of the comment period and the positive comments he's seen about his proposed Raven coal mine.

His sunny disposition is to be envied.

Others have been reviewing those comments too. Of the 2,665 looked at so far, virtually all - more than 95% - are either concerned with or are flat out opposed to the whole scheme.

To look at the facts, and see what Mr. Tapics sees, is to deny reality, or to twist it out of shape to serve your own purposes.

Mr Tapics and his shareholders stand to gain a great deal if this mine goes ahead. The communities and environment of the Comox Valley and Port Alberni - not so much.

His objectives and ours are a world apart. On the one hand, tonnes of dough. On the other, well, that's what those 2,665 letters are about - runaway climate change, runaway trucks, Alberni Inlet turned into toxic soup, an obliterated shellfishery in Baynes Sound.

Once again, readers should check out what Mark Twain had to say about mines.

Arthur Caldicott
Victoria

© Alberni Valley Times 2011

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