News Leader News
MAYOR ISSUES PUBLIC STATEMENT
I would like to issue a statement today as a member of the town council elected to serve the best interests of the people of Princeton.
I believe it is my duty to express my concerns about the Compliance Coal fired generating plant proposed for our area. I have spent the last eight months listening, reading and researching what the implications would be for our community and our valley.
We live in the most beautiful valley in the most beautiful province in the most beautiful country in the world and I believe we have a responsibility to ensure that we pass that inheritance on to those who will come after.
I find no fault with Compliance Coal as a company but a great deal with a provincial government that is even considering allowing outdated processes that are presently being banned in Ontario and around North America. Burning pulverized coal produces a number of different contaminants including mercury which is of particular concern. The Mount Sinai school of medicine research study is one example of the many studies on the dangers of mercury contamination, it shows that even low levels of mercury have been proven to cause severe neurological damage in fetuses and young children.
Compliance Coal and the provincial government have other options, the coal gasification process although initially more expensive, in the long range in terms of medical and environmental health will prove to be far more economic than the older technology. This process which removes nearly all contaminants has been approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and is being utilized throughout the world. In Chaplin, Saskatchewan a major mineral firm has announced a coal gasifi- cation project that will begin producing power in 2007. This plant will produce near 0 emissions making it even more environmentally efficient that the natural gas power plant that it is replacing. The technology is there, if we are going to go down the path of coal fired generating do we not deserve systems as advanced as Chaplin, Saskatchewan?
These are decisions that will profoundly affect our future, and future generations. Can we afford to be wrong? Viewed 40 years from now, given the technological advances that are taking place, how will our decisions be judged?
At this time there are no coal fired plants in BC, if we insist on going ahead with this coal generating process, one could argue that the negative impact on our tourism and real estate would be offset by the 35 permanent jobs created by this project. However is there anyone who would consider jeopardizing our health and the future of our children for any economic development?
As Gov. Jim Risch of Idaho states: "Idaho is in a unique position because we donıt have any coal fired generating power plants...While I promote economic development throughout the state the health implications of mercury emissions from coal fired power plants far outweigh any economic benefits."
On an issue as important as this we must research and investigate and become aware of the long term implications and then let our voices be heard or we will endure this development whether or not it is in our best interest.
With our childrenıs future at stake, Can We Afford To Be Wrong?
- Randy McLean
Mayor, Town of Princeton
COUNCIL ISSUES WARNING
The remains of the Princeton Hotel must be removed, or the Town will remove the debris and charge it to the property taxes.At the August 8 Town Council meeting, Council gave Steve Brodie 30 days to clean up the property before the Town does it for him.
Councillor Pam Jones pointed out that the property is not only an eyesore, it constitutes a public safety concern.
The hotel burned to the ground early this spring, leaving huge piles of debris and a deep hole alongside the sidewalk.
PGSAR RECEIVES RESCUE BOGGANS
The Princeton Ground Search & Rescue Society, with financial help from Weyerhaeuser, took delivery of their ATV/Snowmobile Rescue Boggans last week.PGSAR applied for funding through the Weyerhaeuser Corporate Giving - Canada Program and received a cheque for $5,000.00 towards the purchase of the much needed equipment.
"The team would like to thank Weyerhaeuser for their generous contribution," says PGSAR Secretary Randy Rorvik.
"The Rescue Boggans will allow PGSAR members to safely transport injured persons from the backcountry all year round."
The Boggans will also give the team the ability to transport gear and supplies to advanced camps, adding to their value.
Princeton Ground Search & Rescue team members are trained and certified to PEP Standards.
Members volunteer their time to, and respond to, missing person requests and rescues from the RCMP, BC Ambulance Service back country carry outs, and any PEP emergency requests by the Town of Princeton, RDOS, or mutual aid requests anywhere else in the Province.
"Thanks again to Weyerhaeuser for supporting the Princeton Ground Search and Rescue team," Rorvik adds.
Anyone interested in joining the team is asked to contact the SAR Manager at (250) 295-5364.
WEYERHAEUSER DONATES TO LOCAL SEARCH AND RESCUE ORGANIZATIONS
Weyerhaeuser announced donations totalling $10,000.00 to Princeton-based community organizations dedicated to saving lives and protecting the safety of rescue workers and patients at the scene of accidents.The Princeton & District Highway Extrication Society (PDHES) will receive $5,000.00 to purchase necessary equipment and fund training costs.
The PDHES provides training for highway extrication volunteers to help rescue people injured or trapped in motor vehicle accidents and other emergency incidents in the Princeton area. In 2005, the Society responded to 55 calls, rescued 17 people and treated another 50 patients at roadside.
"Without the support of community-minded corporations like Weyerhaeuser, it would be impossible for us to operate," said Peter Hardinger, President, Princeton Highway Extrication Society.
"We are a small group of volunteers with no dedicated funding and we depend on volunteer efforts and donations to provide rescue services on the highways and roads around Princeton. We extricate trapped patients from wrecked cars with the Jaws of Life and rescue people from steep embankments," said Hardinger.
"Weyerhaeuserıs donation represents one third of our annual operating costs and will let us repair, improve and upgrade our equipment and training," he added.
The Princeton Ground Search & Rescue (PGSAR) will also receive $5,000.00 to purchase a Rescue Boggan that will be used in searches and evacuations.
The PGSAR works with all key provincial and local safety agencies to search for missing and unaccountable persons in addition to responding to natural disaster calls such as floods, fire evacuations and mudslide searches.
"These donations are an extension of the culture in our operations where safety is our first priority," said Rob Marshall, Princeton Timberlands Manager.
"These local organizations are doing superb front-line work to help people in times of great distress and we are very proud to be associated with them," said Marshall.
