• Yes: 71 percent
• No: 29 percent
Selected comments:
• That is absurd, “just say no.” If there are compelling, reasonable reasons for not going forward with the mine, then, and only then, should there be consideration for not doing it. But to just say no because you are opposed to any growth or industrial efforts is beyond stupid, and demonstrates a clear lack of understanding of economics. We have got to start making these sorts of decisions based on sound reasoning and logic, not on emotions or idealogies.
— Duane Christensen, Anchor Point
• The state departments have the right to approve or deny applications for environmental and the multitude of licenses and permits applied for within the state, and a new mine will have to go through a long process to get approved. If Pebble Mine doesn’t stand up to all the environmental and other requirements set by the state of Alaska and federal requirements, the state will have the right to deny opening the mine.
—Heather Tonga, Homer
• “The right”? I think they have the responsibility to say “no.”
— Kyle Lints, Homer
• Of course the state can say what it wants. The question misses the point: If the state says no without the best defensible reasons, it could cost us.
—Bill Smith, Homer
• If Alaska agreed to the Pebble mine “deal,” it would be about like a hungry school kid agreeing to trade his new bicycle for a peanut butter sandwich — the deal would be both lopsided and shortsided. Lopsided in terms of value and risk, because Northern Dynasty would pocket billions of dollars in profit, and incur very little risk, yet the state of Alaska and its citizens would, in comparison, receive only “pocket change,” while at the same time bearing all of the risk to its landscape, water, fish, wildlife and the people whose livelihoods depend on it.
And it would be shortsighted because it would trade something of immense permanent value for something of very transient value.
Regardless of Northern Dynasty’s final proposals, one thing is indisputable: The Pebble mine would wreak permanent, massive alterations in a nearly virgin landscape and would create a permanent threat of massive water pollution. Just like the hungry school kid, who shed tears of regret for trading away his bicycle, it wouldn’t take long for Alaskans to feel the bitter regret of what they traded away for a bite of the Pebble mine “deal.”
— Raymond Fowler, Homer
This week’s question:
Do you support the decision by the Alliance of Concerned Taxpayers, or ACT, to file a civil suit against the Kenai Peninsula Borough alleging it is violating ordinances governing the collection of sales taxes and spending on capital projects?
To vote: Go to
www.homernews.com
• Readers also can let us know the reasons behind their answers.
• Suggestions for future poll questions can be submitted through the Homer News Web site or by e-mail at news@homernews.com.
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