Good for K. Bach, for speaking up in favour of the Ajax mine project (Support Ajax In Principle, But Not At Public Forums, The Daily News, Sept. 20). Like Mr. Bach, I am a strong supporter, in principle, of the project, because of the benefits that I know it will bring to the City of Kamloops and the surrounding area. I have worked in the mining industry in British Columbia and Alberta for over fifty years, and I have seen personally the benefits and prosperity that such projects bring to the communities where they are located and to the country as a whole.

Moreover, having worked in the industry for many years I have a lot of faith in the safeguards that our governments have put in place over the years to protect both citizens and the environment from any negative effects of such operations.

Mr. Bach is a supporter of the Ajax project, but reserves the right to change his mind as more facts become known, and he is absolutely right to hold that reservation. The important thing is that he has not made up his mind before all the facts are available, unlike most of those who protest against the project. There simply is not enough factual information available publicly to justify taking a negative position on the project, and it is wrong to do so on the basis of rumors and innuendo regarding negative things that might happen — not will happen, but just might happen.

Like Mr. Bach, I hope, and believe, that the majority of citizens of Kamloops will open their minds and listen, and weigh the facts, both positive and negative, before coming to any decision.

RICHARD HERMANN

Chase