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The president of the company that wants to operate a gasifier for railway ties in Kamloops has charged opponents of the project with being “racist.”
The comment is contained in a letter from Aboriginal Cogeneration Corp. president Kim Sigurdson to the Environmental Appeal Board.
Sigurdson's letter opposes a bid by Ruth Madsen, who filed an appeal under a society name that is no longer registered, to continue with an appeal of a permit granted by the Ministry of Environment.
“Ms. Madsen sent the appeal in late and funds were late as well,” states the letter to appeal board chairman Alan Andison.
“The rules are clear and she failed to abide by them. The Thompson Institute of Environmental Studies is not registered to Ms. Madsen.”
The company intends to operate a gasifier for railway ties at Mission Flats, which has received approval from the Ministry of Environment and Interior Health Authority. But opponents say the technology is not proven and not safe in a valley of 80,000 people.
Sigurdson's letter says the project has been delayed by “individuals . . . not for the technology or emissions but for who we are.
“It has become a media circus with people who purport to be environmentalists when in reality they are either totally indifferent or racist.”
Sigurdson did not return a phone call Thursday. He said earlier this month he is not speaking to reporters until a March 11 public forum hosted by the Kamloops Chamber of Commerce.
Madsen was also not available for comment.
Derek Cook, a member of Save Kamloops and a political scientist at Thompson Rivers University said the letter – written to a legal agency — is evidence of Sigurdson's poor judgment.
“One wonders about his judgment.”
Cook noted that those who have sponsored forums at the university questioning the project include a number of departments.
“They couldn't be totally indifferent,” he said. “That puts them in the other (racist) category… The issue has nothing to do with race.”
Sigurdson is Metis and his company aims to employ aboriginal people. He has received some racist e-mails from people in Kamloops.
The Environmental Appeal Board has yet to decide whether to allow the appeal.
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Opponents 'racist,' charges ACC head
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Comments
Moonriver says...
"Indifferent or Racist" LOL! Have you been sniffin' too much ceosote Sigurdson?
Can you say "desparate and defensive"?
I was just waiting for that card to be pulled from the deck. Don't even pretend to know our community.
LB6 says...
When you can't fight the opposition, then bring out the big guns...Call a racial foul!
THIS IS JUST TOOO MIND BENDING!!! I have to agree with Bentblade!! This man is acting like a child! WHen he doesn't get what he wants, he returned to the most ignorant provinical stance!!
THis man just lost any crediablity at all!
GROW THE HELL UP! What a child! (can;t even say that cause there are some pretty smart children out there!!)
Sacha73 says...
Mr. Sigurdson has taken a lesson from the Isreali government - when anyone opposes you, accuse them of basing their opposition on racism, and not whatever informed opinions they have come to in forming that opposition.
ibuprofen says...
Kim Sigurdson ... what a sad little manipulating dork.
BENTBLADE says...
When you can not get what you want then the words
racist is used
Small very very Small
copper says...
Copper
As I said in a previous letter , Let the natives have the plant on thier own land ,Somewhere outside of Kamloops .That is racist or better yet how about Manitoba '
copper says...
Copper
As I said in a previous letter , let the natives have the plant on thier own land ' somewhere out of Kamloops ,Now that is not racist.
Dude! says...
ACC is racist. The proposed tie plant will provide employment for approximately 25 "native" individuals. What would the story line read if a newbie company came into Kamloops proclaiming employment for 25 "whites"? Go away Sigurdson, you poor victim!
Kamiloops says...
Its not the first time Sigurdson has accused people of Racism.
http://www2.parl.gc.ca/HousePublications/Publication.aspx?DocId=1038538&Language=E&Mode=1&Parl=36&Ses=1
"In closing, I have one more thing to say. People say to me, “Are you angry? Are you frustrated?” As an aboriginal and seeing the way the racism has run through these departments— and it is racism —I had to find out who these bureaucrats were who were working with FFMC. "
Grouchy says...
That was over the top and uncalled for , no matter what the level of frustration is. I may have to reevaluate my opinion of this deal.We here in Kamloops , for and against have spoken, and I think more people were for than against. Till now.
Takitezy says...
He is playing the race card because he knows that politicians are terrified of being labeled as such.
What a cowardly move.
Kamiloops says...
Ross - One word? Are you serious. Just one word?
Sigurdson has basically called the majority of Kamloops Racist. That is a big deal. I am surprised that the Chamber of Commerce is still going to host a forum for this guy.
On the radio today a concerned citizen has now spoken out advising citizens not to attend the Chamber of Commerce meeting with ACC under these circumstances.
Apparently, the Chamber is now getting bombarded from concerned citizens via emails that they WILL NOT ATTEND the upcoming meeting.
factchecker21 says...
If I am reading this article correctly, Sigurdson is saying anyone not in favour of the gasification plant is racist? Hmm, so we are not to question, not to oppose this plant simply because he is Metis? Despite the fact many, many, many residents have concerns for our health and safety? Something is definately smelling here.
menthelius says...
Sigh...
Always the first cry to be loudly heard.
Ross says...
I'm no fan of ACC, but taking one word out of letter and making a story out of it. That is sensationalism and yellow journalism.
It seems that I would get better journalism from high school students.
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0Racism...hmmm. Would it be socially acceptable to lynch a capitalistic polluter of no particular gender, sexual orientation or ethnicity?
Posted on February 28, 2010 @ 5:17 pm PST | Report post to Editor | 3358347