To the Editor:
(Re: “Not enough input on bottling plant”, page 7, Feb. 3 Advance)
I see I’ve raised the anxiety level of some. It seems apparent that one can direct people to sign a petition that serves their interests, but condemn a person (or the silent majority) that doesn’t agree with them.
Having hundreds of people sign the petition is not democratic but an intimidating result and not a majority. Let me clear that up for you. When you present a petition to a friend or neighbour, this person is put into the position of accommodating you by signing, whether or not they really agree with the mandate. Mainly to get off the subject, how many times in your life have you been put into that position and have knuckled under the pressure? Be honest.
As far as the get rich scheme, that is without question. When you have big business supporting this kind of venture, you and I both know the government is going to give in to them. As we ponder over this, the government and the company wanting to come in are probably behind closed doors trying to figure out how to get this into action. Also, if you had the funding, would you not want to start a business if the opportunity arose, and not have the residents of the area oppose you?
As for the business owner, who is he or it? Or is it a front person for a bigger corporation? Yes, more information would be nice, but that may never happen. The person does need some credit, however — they saw an opportunity and are taking advantage of it, just like most of us at a sale or giveaway.
As for destroying resources, what’s being destroyed? The buildings are in place and the water they will be taking out is not being wasted — it is for human consumption.
There is the issue of transparency. I have a problem with this statement. If the citizens of a community don’t have an investment in a business, why should they have involvement in the process? Do all the businesses in town now have to let the citizens decide before they could open up their doors? I don’t think so.
Dave Patraschuk
Creston