So now we hope the process moves forward.

It was nice to read about the council at least starting to fashion opinions concerning the mine. It's about time. We cannot have our elected representatives just sitting on the sidelines, there is a time to step up. You did for the election, now step up for our rights about the mine. I'm not asking you to take sides, but to oversee this process. That’s what you’re there for. We really need it done right if it's going to be done!

We now need your leadership more than ever before. If you’re just there to collect money, please resign now.

The mine has not released any information, as of yet, that will take a scientist to read. It is all in the planning stages for now. But that won't last long.

If you own shares in the mine, I don't care, that will not stop you from forming an opinion, although it could stop you from voting on any issues that would give advantage to your position. If you own shares it would be to your advantage to have the mine designed right.

There is much talk of the mine being close to the city and that this is a new consideration. Well why? There's an awful lot of towns in B.C. that grew on the steps of a mine; at the time no one was driving to work. They walked, so the mines, or better still the town, was built within walking distance. And if we drive around, I'm pretty sure you would find more than a few are tourist sites.

At the federal level all we hear is about "social licence." This is just smoke and mirrors. This isn't going to be about social licence. It's truly about the design and implementation of the extraction. So far we've been told there would be no processing of the ore here, that's not the case. There will be ball mills and flotation to bring the metals to a "concentrate" that will then be sent away. Our history on the site has been one of heavy metal pollution caused by the same process.

So our federal representative should also be forming an opinion that fosters leadership, as that’s what she was elected for. Whether or not she wants the mine here, part of her job is to lead. We need her to rise to the occasion and protect our interests and health.

My opinions are not about being for the mine or against the mine, but it should be about how to do it properly so none of us gets hurt.

I have no illusions about stopping the mine.

Step up to the plate!

ROBERT BRUCE

Kamloops