Coal threat – Dolores de la Torre, Marine Avenue
Not another threat to our environment. Last night I attended a meeting regarding the stockpiling of coal from the United States to be shipped to China from Texada Island (“Coal meeting,” August 14).
Dr. Frank James, a health officer from Washington State, spoke about the dangers of stockpiling coal proposed on Texada. The health hazards to our air from the coal dust will have a devastating effect on our lungs from the dust flying through the air, especially to children. Our gardens and sea life would be damaged with the acid rain that would kill the sea weed that feeds the herring which feeds the salmon.
The economic impact of becoming a toxic industrial zone, piling eight million tonnes of coal a year, would certainly be great, reducing the value of real estate and impacting tourism that seeks pristine destinations for vacations.
What are we thinking? Jobs? Are we not capable of creating a handful of jobs that would not destroy our area?
Friends clarified – Scott Ritter, Oak Avenue
Last Friday’s Blackberry Festival street party was a wonderful event despite the rain. At the Powell River Friends of the Library booth, we had many residents stopping by.
It should be noted that Powell River Friends of the Library is a registered non-profit society and not a political advocacy group (“Group befriends library,” November 7). It was founded long before the current debate on a new Powell River Public Library facility. We are to the library what the Powell River Health-Care Auxiliary is to the Powell River General Hospital. We raise money to support limited library budgets for purchasing such things as additional books, DVDs, furniture, computers, etc. We hold an annual book sale, run snack concessions at community events, sell book bags, buttons and second hand books at the library and organize the occasional special event such as the upcoming evening with former CBC host and award-wining author Arthur Black. Just as the health-care auxiliary does not choose what X-ray machines and lab equipment to buy, we do not make decisions about library facilities or dictate what books and equipment should be purchased. That is the job of professional library staff and the library board of directors.
Learn more about Powell River Friends of the Library by e-mailing [email protected]. An Evening with Arthur Black is being held on Thursday, September 26 at the Max Cameron Theatre. Local poets, authors and musicians will participate, and there will be a silent art auction organized by the Malaspina Art Society. Tickets are $35 and are available at Breakwater Books and Coffee and at the library.
