Tuesday, January 20, 2009 — Having observed the comments of the anti-ALCOA participants and in the Sunday SNAP article made me think of a bunch of jackals circling a wounded antelope salivating for the kill.
The purpose of the hearing was “...to address the water quality discharged from dams to give DWQ more input prior to its decision on the...license.”
All that was observed was the same old tired rhetoric by the group from Water Rights Committee and a few new spokesmen for them like Mr. Naujoks and other “dam haters.” I did not see where any new established or documented evidence or empirical material was presented. It was to me the same old saw — “It’s our water.”
To the contrary, I did see ALCOA offer the statistical analysis of the work they have done to improve oxygenation of the dam waters and the mention that they are spending upwards of $140 million to keep God’s waters flowing in a safe and pure manner for all of us in the Yadkin basin. A bunch of whinny complaints about not being able to put their boats in the lake during a drought season and “we suspect there might be” are not conducive to rationale why ALCOA should not be able to generate electricity from the dams they built, maintain, improve, and where they employ people.
First, let me say, it is not any locality’s or “Committee’s” water. The mighty Yadkin is the handiwork of God’s nature and if anyone owns it, it is He. It is up to anyone using it to use it without despoiling it, providing access to all to enjoy it, make industrial use of it (generate electricity in ALCOA’s case), and then pass it downstream so others can use it.
ALCOA, contrary to the shrill bleating of a few, has made every effort to ensure the waters are cared for and used properly under all environmental laws as they have been evolving over the years.
Secondly, I think from all I have heard and read, some local folks and politicians are trying to practice a “license to steal.” In none of the verbiage: The Water Rights Committee Trust press releases, letters to the SNAP and Charlotte Observer, picketing in Raleigh, or state meetings, FERC meetings or to my knowledge anywhere has this group of disgruntled folks offered any plan, or method of recompense to ALCOA if they manage to steal the property of ALCOA for their own gains, whatever they may be.
Thirdly, I still have not heard how these fine folks plan to match and pay for the improvements ALCOA has offered to make at their own expense and has been making; Nor have I seen how they are going to pay for the lands to be given by ALCOA to our Morrow Mountain park and other public access areas.
Fourthly, in case it is not known by the “Committee” and the commissioners, the county and us here in Stanly are in the middle of a recession bordering on depression.
It seems that tax monies are going to be froth with deficits in the next few years and it seems absolutely nonsensical to be trying to drive an established industry out of the Yadkin region.
It would seem to me that these nay-sayers would be applauding ALCOA at this time and would be offering a positive plan to help electricity to be produced in the Yadkin River basin by ALCOA — not trying to steal it.
Unless these citizen serving individuals have something to offer, the whining should cease and we should get on with relicensing of ALCOA before we lose this industry and we have to revert back to candles and coal furnaces.
Or maybe we want the horse and buggy days back.
Thomas M. McCluskey
New London
Letters to the Editor
Whining should cease
- Letters to the Editor
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Gingrich a front runner?
A year ago not many people gave Newt Gingrich much chance of being president.
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An exciting year so far at WSMS
I am an eighth grade teacher at West Stanly Middle and wanted to take the opportunity to share some of the highlights of our year.
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Clean Tech has right to choose location
I am writing in reference to Huck Huckabee’s letter to the editor.
First of all, I don’t think the working population has enough time in the day to wait around for an investigation on why Clean Tech did not take the offer of the Wiscassett Mills property. -
Let them make the decisions they are being paid to make
I am not being critical of our school board or individuals who sit upon it. I am not advocating that redistricting is the best option nor am I opposed to it.
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The company was never about creating jobs
I think Mayor Whitley’s offer of the Wiscassett Mills property to Clean Tech was a brilliant move. The Jan. 5 SNAP article noted that Steve Strickler of Clean Tech said the Wiscassett Mills property “… would not fit Clean Tech’s needs in terms of size and available infrastructure.”
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It's Past Time To Look At Redistricting
Question: Where does the West Stanly School District start? Answer: Just past the little bridge on West Main Street in Albemarle just before Hinks Grill. Handi-Mart and Stanly Community College are also in the West District. The South District starts somewhere around Rock Creek Park.
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Questions to Stanly County
Over the past few months there has been a lot of public discussion concerning the ALCOA relicensing, the effort to locate CleanTech in Stanly County and the dollars spent by the Stanly County Commissioners on these two items
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Postal Service needs greater flexibility for the new year
As we look forward to the beginning of a new year, the Postal Service still needs Congress to make a basic choice: to permit USPS to function more as a business or to continue the constraints.
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ALCOA and their available jobs were not run out of Stanly County
It is my opinion that ALCOA made the choice to leave Stanly County which eliminated good paying jobs and benefits for its citizens after enjoying years of profitable business here. I am also very appreciative of the jobs ALCOA provided in the past.
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Alcoa has been a great giver to Stanly County
Stanly County
I would like to inform the Stanly County manager and the commissioners that no one person owns the Yadkin-Pee Dee River. It is owned by the God of Heaven. And Alcoa’s dams have provided a great source of water to several counties. - More Letters to the Editor Headlines
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Gingrich a front runner?
