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Stand against uranium

To The Editor:

We would like to comment on the article "Government says NO to vote on Uranium" published in the May 16 edition of the Times & Transcript.

We attended the information meeting on uranium organized by the South East chapter of the New Brunswick Conservation Council on May 15 in Grande-Digue. Mr. Sam McEwan and Mr. Ron Shaw of the Department of Natural Resources were in attendance to answer questions from concerned citizens.

Mr. McEwan was asked if there were any safeguards established by government and if any qualified mining inspectors were present at the drilling sites for uranium, making sure the environment was protected.

Having been asked the same questions several times, Mr. McEwan finally admitted there were none in place at the present moment, but the Department of Natural Resources was working on it.

That, in our opinion, is putting the cart before the horses.

Natural Resources Minister Donald Arseneault is quoted as saying "there are safeguards in place to protect the environment and health of the citizens of this province." Mr. Arseneault is either incompetent or he is misleading the people of New Brunswick.

We have difficulty accepting the fact that so many incompetent people occupy positions of importance in our present government, such as premier of a province or minister of a provincial department.

Our family owns and operates a 200-acre farm which is now under claim for uranium mining by Triple Uranium Resources Incorporated. We are beginning to understand how the First Nation's people felt when the Canadian government stole their lands.

We encourage ALL citizens of the Province of New Brunswick to voice their disapproval of our present government's decision on uranium mining. We also ask every Liberal MLA to take a long hard look at the way they voted on the moratorium and referendum issues in the legislature these past few weeks.

What are their children and their grandchildren going to think of their decision?

Doland Collette,

Philip André Collette,

Moncton

(Via e-mail)

Uranium drilling is a worry

To The Editor:

As a dedicated reader of this newspaper I use it to keep up on some of the issues in New Brunswick.

I often feel like writing to the forum, but don't. But the actions of the New Brunswick government have left me no other option.

We have been told all kinds of wonderful stories about how the exploratory drilling for uranium is basically harmless and that people in communities would be told about and have discussions with the proper people before this even happens.

Well I can now without fear of being called a liar say that this is not true.

I personally, with three other gentlemen who live this area, went to a drilling site today and saw what was taking place.

We also spoke to a lady who gave me her card which stated she was the president of the company doing the drilling.

When asked to see the permit to drill, the answer was, and I quote, "CRDC must have one I think."

We as citizens of New Brunswick cannot cut wood on Crown land or build a house on our own property without a permit in our possession when asked for it.

We were also assured that they had dug sump holes to contain the filings and debris that comes up the drill. These would be cleaned up before they left.

But when asked about what they were going to do with the water they were using to cool the drills, we could not get a straight answer.

Well people, the water they are using to drill will most certainly be contaminated as well.

Living at the bottom of that mountain and having a brook running through our property and my well being fed from a number of springs behind my house I sure as hell am worried.

We also have livestock that drink that brook water. That brook also joins into other brooks that work their way back out towards the Petitcodiac and Salisbury area.

So Mr. Graham, if you think you can sell our province out for a few measly dollars and to hell with what the majority really want, THINK AGAIN.

I for one sir will do whatever it takes to make sure my family and my home are kept safe at all times. Having said that, you should know that right now I am trying to make sure everyone in Albert County and surrounding area are aware of what is happening behind their backs.

This drilling company set up in November of last year and had to stop until spring because they kept breaking their equipment.

If anyone in Albert County or elsewhere in the province wants to see this and how it is not set up completely environmentally safe, come on up to Prosser Brook. I'm sure we can arrange a guided tour.

Dennis MacNeil,

Prosser Brook

(Via e-mail)

Premier should look to Dieppe

To The Editor:

After reading the headline in the Times & Transcript of May 16 which read "Government says 'No' to vote on uranium", I couldn't help but reflect on our latest municipal election in Dieppe and what happens when elected representatives do not listen to their constituents.

If the Liberals don't want to listen to us the voters who put them there, well it's time we do the following.

They say 'No' to a referendum, let's say 'No' to the Liberals next election.

Robert J. LeBlanc,

Moncton

(Via e-mail)