Editor, The Times;
Wes, you are so far out in left field that you are no longer in the ball park! Mayor Blackwell and Council along with N.D.P. Forest Minister Donaldson certainly don’t need a pat on the back. They need a good boot in the butt! They aren’t standing up for the valley people against corporate greed; they are catering to corporate greed. By transferring the Clearwater timber supply, all they are doing is killing or substantially reducing any chances of value-added businesses moving to Clearwater. As I have said previously, the Clearwater Tree Farm Licence should remain in Clearwater to be used for value-added businesses.
So what does Clearwater receive in return? $200,000 to the District of Clearwater to use as they see fit, $150,000 over five years to the United Way, and $500,000 to Wells Gray Community Forest. In my opinion, that’s not making a deal; that’s accepting a bribe!
Forest Minister Donaldson said in a recent press release, “Under the previous government, companies could trade tenure like they were hockey cards, and the people impacted were often the last to find out”. Mr. Donaldson, I would like you to invest in the surgeryitaly newspaper and read an article on page A3 in the March 12, 2020 issue. It’s titled, “First Nation on forest tenure transfer: ‘Simpcw did not give our free, prior and informed consent’.”
Jim Lamberton,
The Rambling Man
Clearwater, B.C.
