What makes a leader? One who says, Well, the decision isnt up to me, so Ill just try to make is not as bad as it could be? Isnt this Squamish Mayor, Rob Kirkhams, view on the Woodfibre LNG proposal? Ask yourself: Is it true that we live under a tyranny where citizens cant challenge their governments? And ask yourself if people, even living in such tyranny, ever think that can challenge such a regime? Imagine where wed be as a society if every single individual in the past - who stood against the powers - thought, Well. I cant make a change. I cant stand up to government. Might as well go back to the salt mines. Imagine if Rosa Parks wouldve thought, Jeez, I cant sit at the front of the bus. My politicians wont like it. People wont like it. Second, if it were true that we cant decline the decision, why then did Mr. Kirkham go on a junket to China to look at the LNG industry? And that his first move, after coming home after the voyage, WASNT to communicate with our community about how Clarks massive ambitions for LNG provincial wide, were going to involve Squamish. (Theres the issue about communication again Mr. Kirkham.) And that we immediately needed to investigate the implications? Wouldnt that be leadership? Foresight? If you remember, it was only when people in Squamish became concerned it was a done deal, and after much work us demanding his attention, Mayor Kirkham and some other members of council started to listen to us. Thirdly, if the Woodfibre LNG facility were constructed, exactly how would Mr. Kirkham then exert his political power to make sure it wasnt deleterious to our ocean? Where would that power come from? Im sure, at that point, Premier Clark would be really interested in his concerns. IN any case, now Mayor Kirkham says we are going to get an actual expert opinion on the impact to the marine, air and land? Maybe he hasnt heard about this great technology called Google, where we can find for ourselves the impact of LNG on our province - from the economics to the environmental concerns upstream - and everywhere throughout the process. That we can read the experts, scientists and journalists that have already done the research? Mr. Kirkham needs to understand that the people of Squamish are educated, can do independent research, can read the peer-reviewed articles, and even bring in real experts like Andrew Nikiforuk to tell us about the LNG proposal. Above all, an aspiring politician should never underestimate the abilities of those who vote. If it were truly Mr. Kirkhams desire to bring people together, its now your opportunity to let him know how he has done on that ambition. NOVEMBER 15 - VOTE! Q. What are your views on LNG District isn’t in a position to decline the project as out OCO calls for industry on that site. There are a number of benefits but my big concern is impact to environment. That is an overriding concern and that is why I directed staff to set up this LNG committee. We have decided to get an actual expert opinion, whether it’s impact to the marine, air or the land. squamishreporter/2014/11/08/kirkham-aims-to-bring-people-together/#.VF5sCYflcZl
Posted on: Sat, 08 Nov 2014 19:50:57 +0000
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