Letter to R. Coleman, M.L.A. - 02/10/2009

Mr. R. Coleman, M.L.A.
February 10, 2009
(Fort Langley-Aldergrove)
Suite 101-B, 27336 Fraser Highway
Aldergrove, B.C. V4W 3N5

Dear Minister Coleman;

I attended a meeting with three neighbors at your Constituency Office on Thursday, Dec 11, 2008 to discuss the Brown Road Pit proposal to open a new mine for gravel extraction. You stated at that time that you would contact your colleagues and get back to us. No Reply!
I delivered a two page cover letter and a copy of our petition (with hundreds of Township signatures opposed to your governments proposal) to your Constituency Office on Monday, Jan 19, 2009. No Reply!
The same letter and a copy of the petition was also delivered in person on Friday, January 16, 2009 to the Constituency Office's of the Minister of Transport & Infrastructure, K. Falcon and the Minister of the Environment, B. Penner in Cloverdale and Chilliwack respectively. No Reply!

Mr. Coleman; you are our 'ELECTED' representative in Fort Langley-Aldergrove. Why do you continue to fail to respond to our requests for further dialogue and definitive replies regarding this serious environmental issue. You are a long time Township of Langley resident; likely with a private well. You must be fully aware of the serious impact the open mine gravel pit will have on our very sensitive Hopington Aquifer and entire neighborhood. Do you not realize that it is your duty and responsibility to represent the needs and concerns of your constituents first; not those of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transportation and bureaucrats. How can the Gateway Project, that will in all likelihood end up costing 5 plus billion dollars be a trade-off to save perhaps 20 million dollars on gravel? Again, this makes no sense at all considering there are other alternatives available. How and why did the Agricultural Land Commission basically rubber-stamp your request to proceed, subject to your own environmental study.

On Dec 11, 2008; I felt that our meeting was one of mutual respect and honesty as we expressed our many concerns with you. We expected the same from you in the form of a reply.
Unfortunately, I feel that regardless of the results of your environmental study, which is due in the spring and probably after the May 12, 2009 Provincial Election; that this proposal may possibly be another Provincial Government "DONE DEAL". Please tell me that this is not so!!! With the deafening silence we receive from you and your colleagues; this is yet another example of your governments lack of humility and respect to the voting public.

I feel that our politicians, from all levels of government should say what they mean and mean what they say. Citizens need to know that their politicians care about them, that we are being told the absolute truth and that there is no project that is greater than the importance of our environment and our neighborhoods.
It is imperative that you support our concerns and stop this proposal. Convince your colleagues that common sense should prevail and that Mr. Falcon's gravel should not come from one of the most sensitive areas of our Hopington Aquifer.

Should you find the time; ask Minister Falcon and Minister Penner if they have received my letter and petition on Jan 16, 2009. Does Premier Campbell condone this type of policy: "Say nothing and maybe they will go away". Communication with citizens would certainly demonstrate a degree of class, respect and compassion regarding their concerns.

Sincerely

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On February 13, 2009, the Hon. Rich Coleman MLA for Fort-Langley-Aldergrove responed to this letter. In summary, Mr Colemean acknolwedged the need for "improving infrastructure like the Port Mann Bridge" but also noted that these sorts of initiatives should "not be pursued at the expense of our evnvironment or quality of life". Mr. Coleman also commented that he received a commitment from the Minister of Transportation, Hon. Kevin Falcon, that "if there is any risk identifed to wells and or drinking water, no gravel will be extracted from Brown's Pit.