Dear Editor: I would like to respond to Mr. Rod Mercer’s letter (representing Thomas Resources) published in The Western Star on March 9.
Thomas Resources continues to provide information to the public in a sporadic manner. For example, a very weak submission document, one-to-one discussions from four different tables at an “open house” forum, and the most recent letter to the editor.
The failure of Thomas Resources to make a presentation that would clearly define their proposed project and mitigations to protect the environment and the city’s water supply at their so-called public consultation has caused concern with many residents that the company is only prepared to provide minimal information and not address the concerns in a question-and-answer forum via a town hall.
Thomas Resources is playing a numbers game with residents of the city when they reference 12 to 15 were in attendance for a class project, some were looking for a job and 26 say they endorsed the project, and the total number of people who registered for the “open house” was less than one half of one per cent of the city’s population.
I attended the “open house” and this could not be called a typical public consultation.
During the evening I spoke to as many people as I could and very few in attendance supported the proposed activity.
Leaving that evening I had several people speak to me wanting a commitment that I would not support the drilling activity.
In fact, throughout the entire debate this winter, people have asked me not to support drilling in the watershed.
Finally, I fully understand my duty and responsibility as a councillor.
I take offence to the last paragraph of the letter where Thomas Resources is publicly attempting to pressure me as a councillor by suggesting what council’s duty is and how to vote with respect to their proposal.
I want to remind Thomas Resources that the city’s water supply area was created to provide a safe source of drinking water for the residents of Corner Brook and surrounding communities.
This water supply belongs to the residents not Thomas Resources and their concerns and questions are valuable to this decision.
Linda Chaisson, councillor,
City of Corner Brook
Are we "above" having a clean water source? After all, we do pay for such when that ever increasing tax bill comes in our mailboxes. Economic ideas are one thing, but possibly polluting our water source is another. Like I said before, I'm all for economic development and development of natural resources, when done responsibly.