Dear editor,Too bad Mr. Gaudreau didn鈥檛 read the history of coal mining in the Comox Valley, or look at the facts, instead of his long tirade of negativity, fear-mongering and mixing oranges and apples.Granted the Mount Washington mine was a travesty, as were so many other mines. For example, the Britannia Beach copper operation that has been cleared up at much expense. More costly than the Mount Washington one. What was not mentioned were the wages and royalties accrued to the government during these operations.At the time of the operation of these mines, there was no environmental consideration whatsoever.Now the mining sector is probably the most highly regulated and controlled resource industry in B.C. I know this for a fact, having a cousin who spent over 10 years getting approvals for a mine, only to die before seeing his mine in operation.To compare a coal mine to a copper mine is ridiculous. Coal was mined in the Comox Valley for nearly 100 years, some in the same general area as the proposed mine. During those years, there were no considerations for environmental degradation. Baynes Sound was not decimated, watersheds were not polluted. The only downside of the Cumberland mines that I know of (having lived here over 80 years) is the untreated effluent going into the rivers that stopped salmon spawning, which over the years healed itself.The Comox Valley desperately needs resource jobs to enable our youth to stay here with good-paying jobs.I do not believe the majority of the Valley is opposed to the mine, only those sheep who are swayed by the negative oratory, don鈥檛 study the history, and always say the sky is falling.I鈥檓 sure no company would spend millions on a project without having enough evidence that their endeavour was viable. If a problem or perceived problem is contemplated, then you work to solve it 鈥� don鈥檛 bury your head in the sand and say the sky is falling!This is the way I see it.James R. Muckle,Courtenay
