Even though the citizens were so opposed to the mine because of the potential for environmental destruction, the planning agency and mayor recommended that the council approve the the project. What did council do? They voted no; they said no to the mine.
What do you mean our opinion doesn't count?
Did you happen to hear that at the public hearing, Lone Star's lawyer said public opinion doesn't count and that the council doesn't have to listen to us? Well, she did, making a lot of people angry, including a couple of attorneys in the audience who have since taken a position opposing the project. Since when don't elected officials have a responsibility to listen to their constituents when there is a legal basis to do so? Isn't this supposed to be a government of the people, by the people and for the people - or has it become a government of, by and for the special interests of big business?
She (Lone Star's-(now Cal Portland) lawyer) aggressively told the council that they do not have a legal basis to deny the permits and that they have no choice but to approve them.
This is not true! The matter is before the Council precisely because state and local law grants them the authority to deny projects with such environmental impacts.Read the rest of the story, here: Neighbor to Neighbor, June 1993
Funny how this same exact story is still playing out, even today. Very soon, our city council will have a very, very big decision to make about the quality of our environment for future generations. Now it's our time to speak up and be heard that we, again, oppose the mine and its expansion.
Here is how to contact our city and state elected officials about this project and tell them to oppose it, again:
http://www.ci.dupont.wa.us/mayor-council/index.html
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