Letter of Concern
Posted on: January 24, 2008 | admin | 6 Comments | Print Article | Rate Post:
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Extreme environmental factions are restricting economic development and employment opportunities here on the Kenai Peninsula and throughout Alaska.
These groups have a propensity for placing roadblocks on business and development opportunities. In Seward, environmental investigation and impact statement requirements, have been aimed at business from the Alaska Railroad, Seward Ships, The Providence Hospital, Spring Creek Prison, The Fishing Industry, Tourist based businesses, City, State, Federal Agencies and the list goes on.
Do these people realize that Alaska has a resource based economy which has been managed well enough to finances our state government as well as provide every living resident with a Permanent Fund Dividend: which we now consider an entitlement.
Now the world is coming to an end because of global warming? This planet has seen many changes, just during my ¾ of a century life, and it will continue to change throughout time.
An ‘Economic Impact Department’ should be formed so that a community can counter some of the ridiculous environmental challenges and to determine how much of our tax payer dollars, time and energy should be directed towards issues beyond our ability to change.
Currently the contractor that is providing the dredging in the small boat harbor for the T-dock and bullhead repairs is being constantly harassed by one of the environmental activists to the point it is becoming a safety issue for the people preforming the work.
At a recent Council meeting allegations were made implying Seward Ship’s supposed pollution is responsible for incidents of cancer in the community. Contact with the State of Alaska Cancer Registry indicates that Seward has the same rate of cancer among our population as the rest of the state. There is no higher cancer rate here, but someone can imply there is even though that person is not a scientist.
Having been involved in marine related businesses for a good part of my life, I know ship building and marine trades are a difficult business. I am thankful that the community is prosing these industries because they attract business to the community: workers, passengers and tradesmen who buy local goods, stay in local hotels and generate payroll for people of the community who would not consider themselves marine related employees.
The coal dust issue with the railroad keeps the dock manager chasing problems that are climate focused complaints that are beyond our scope to resolve. After the 1964 earthquake, Seward had to really fight for the railroad to be restored and the dock to be replaced. After 44 years we are seeing more year round use of the railroad dock and the many improvements it now encompasses. The terminal building has been made available for many beneficial community events.
We as pro development people need to work together to ensure that the balance of power does not shift too far into the hands of these extreme environmental groups. Otherwise none of us will be allowed to live here; it will all be one big park open to no one.
Sincerely,
Margaret Anderson
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6 Responses to “Letter of Concern”
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January 24th, 2008 @ 11:48 am
I know that I find it interesting that the same people who lead the charge against a coal-fired electric plant because of all the pollution concerns are now burning coal in their wood stoves without the benefit of scrubbers and ash bags.
At some point the reality of living in Alaska should set in, and we should all become “reasonable.” There has to be a balance set between keeping our environment (which is not pristine) as healthy as possible, and being able to survive in a healthy economic climate.
Margaret Anderson is right on point in her comments and concerns.
Dorene M. Lorenz
January 25th, 2008 @ 9:06 am
Now, if we could only release Margaret’s maturity and wisdom into the air we all breathe!
January 27th, 2008 @ 6:40 pm
Kudo’s to Margaret’s observations.. We might also remember where these folks are getting there funding as well.. It’s probably not from within the state….
January 28th, 2008 @ 6:18 am
Well said, Ms. Anderson.
Somehow, these environmental types fail to see themselves as a special interest group (it’s for our own good, you know). They think the rules do not apply to them; perhaps their incomes are derived from sources outside this community of working men and women. Unfounded and cavalier attacks on the Coast Guard regarding their misssion, attacks on one of the larger employers in town and half-truths about local coal-fired electrical generation do little to ease the burden on local citizens. Seward is a difficult and expensive place to live (I know, that’s big news). Any responsible development that would ease the day-to-day life of citizens of Seward needs to be objectively evaluated.
Does development cause environmental impacts? Of course. Can resourses be developed responsibly? Certainly. Are there risks inherent to development? Yes. Are these risks manageable? YES. Do the benefits outweigh the risks? YES!
February 4th, 2008 @ 11:04 am
While the points you bring up are valid, the language you use is as extreme as you purport these “environmental groups” to be. Nobody wants to stagnate development in Seward. Besides, its not like the environmental group you’re writing about is the only hurdle a business owner must jump to operate in Seward. Actually, I think the businesses you mention have the resources to do business in Seward just fine. How does the small business owner fare in Seward’s regulatory climate? Thats the bigger question here.
Therefore, I think we should create an Economic Impact Department like you say. Economics isnt all bout short-term dollars and cents. We should really talk about the struggles a new business owner faces in doing business here, as well as the long term implications of new businesses, especially one that involves tearing down or constructing new buildings. I would really love to see less empty buildings on 4th Avenue, and more sustainable year-round businesses here, myself.
With these issues you bring up: the shipyard, the coal dust, the dredging, the coal fired power plant- it sounds like you are content to see them operate as they have been. (please correct me if I misinterpreted your writing) But they are creating environmental problems here locally and the goal of anyone with any common sense is to mitigate these problems- not shut businesses down. Its like having a car with a bad muffler. You don’t throw out the car, you just get a new muffler.
It seems to me that you’re fighting extremism with extremism and thats really not a good way to achieve desirable ends for the community. We can do better.
February 23rd, 2008 @ 8:33 pm
It appears to me that if businesses practiced a little social responsibility there would be no “environmental whackos”. The facts are: there is coal dust in our air, there are toxins in the soil of the ship yard, there are pollutants under our streets.
As a business owner I want to make a profit and a living for my family.
As a father I’m ashamed of some of the things my generation is leaving behind for my daughters and all our children. It is up to them to clean up our mess as we won’t even keep backyards clean.