Dear Editor:
Re: Coal dust raises questions, Letters, The Record, April 3.
Former U.S. president Thomas Jefferson is quoted as saying, "All tyranny needs to gain a foothold is for people of good conscious to remain silent."
Our friends and neighbours to the south, well versed in the consequences of that old adage, have spoken and have loudly rejected provision of a U.S. coal terminal and rail transfer facility on the west coast of the U.S.
In response, U.S. coal and rail interests have decided to route their China-bound coal through Canada, to leave a potential trail of coal dust along the tracks to culminate in a transfer/loading facility, to be approved by Port Metro Vancouver, across the river at Fraser Surrey Docks.
We friendly folks to the north are being asked to import this pollution to the detriment of both the environment and our health as pointed out in Mike Hoyer's letter.
As to the "flyer" that Port Metro Vancouver allegedly circulated about the project, I chaired the annual general meeting of the Quayside Community Board in February and, by a show of hands, nobody present had ever seen it!
Does it seem all too coincidental that Port Metro Vancouver came to New Westminster with an offer of $100,000 to help establish a marina on this side of the Fraser, as pointed out in James Crosty's February 20 letter?
Am I just a cynic or were they trying to buy the City's silence, and hence consent, for the Surrey coal facility on the other side of the Fraser?
In my view, what's mined in the U.S. for China should be transported in the U.S to China.
As reported in the media, our sister municipality is not being silent as shown by the "No Black Rock In White Rock" rally held recently and attended by concerned citizens from both sides of the border, including citizen advocate James Crosty.
The Quayside Board is also not prone to being silent on this important issue, as shown by the extensive material on our website, quaysideboard.com.
To add our voice in protest, we are planning a local event to try to stop yet another incremental degradation of our air quality - a big issue to those of us with breathing problems.
I really don't want to add "black lung" to my existing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or add coal dust to diesel residue in my condo.
I am not silent and I do not consent.
E.C. "Ted" Eddy, director-at-large, Quayside Community Board
