To the Editor,
I applaud our city council for not rushing into making a decision on coal. I also applaud them for not being intimidated and bullied by the opponents of coal, with their propaganda and fear-mongering.
Prince Rupert has been exporting coal for years; it has not interfered with their fishing or tourism or caused any environmental damage.
The house I was born in had coal storage in the basement, called a coal bin, three feet from the furnace door. Coal is transported on all the rivers of Europe on large barges, and the family homes are on the back of these barges, with no ill effects.
Have any of the opponents of coal ever shoveled coal or touched a piece of coal? Coal is used to help make many products in our lives, like water filters and air filters to name a few. Could the opponents of coal live without them?
If so, they would be the ones living in caves using sticks and stones for tools.
Port Alberni is becoming known as the city against everything. My dad told me to watch out for people who dream up problems, for they are like an anchor around your neck; go out and do, and solve real problems as they occur.
Coal has been mined for more than 2,000 years and transported all over the world; why does Port Alberni have a problem with it? A stockpile of coal is no more dangerous than a stockpile of gravel, sand, rocks or topsoil.
Let’s change Port Alberni from a city against everything to one that’s for everything; and solve problems as they occur instead of making up problems so nothing ever gets done.
Help keep our young people here, for there is no place for them in a city against everything. If you don’t think the city is dying, go out and count the number of schools closed in the Valley; that is the first sign of a dying city.
Jim Irvine,
Port Alberni