Don’t tar all opponents as ‘racist’
Oh, my goodness. ACC president Kim Sigurdson has been the target of some very nasty racist remarks sent his way, but generalizing about his opponents as “racist” is foul play.
A story in today’s Daily News carries his comments, which are contained in a letter to the Environmental Appeal Board objecting to any thought of allowing an appeal that was filed incorrectly.
It may not seem fair that Sigurdson should be subjected to racial slurs and not be able to fight back, but he needs to focus on the real issues surrounding his project, just as others should. It’s possible he didn’t mean to suggest all his opponents are racist, but he should have made that absolutely clear in the letter.
Here’s the text of the letter in full:
Aboriginal Cogeneration Corporation
Without Prejudice
February 22,2010
Environmental Appeal Board
Fourth Floor 747 Fort Street
Victoria British BC
V8W 9V1
File: 2010-EMA-002
Attention: Mr. Alan Andison, Chairman
Dear Mr. Andison
Based on the following, the appeal should be dismissed immediately.
Ms. Madsen sent the appeal in late and funds were late as well. The rules are
clear and she failed to abide by them. The Thompson Institute of Environmental
Studies is not registered to Ms. Madsen.
Our company feels that we have been put through enough. We have been
delayed by individuals in Kamloops, not for the technology or emissions but for
who we are. It has become a media circus with people who purport to be
environmentalists when in reality they are either totally indifferent or racist.
We want a fair and impartial decision now, as this appeal that you are in receipt
of should not have even been considered under the EAB Procedure Manual.
This whole issue smells of political interference and indifference. We will go
public with our concerns and will seek legal redress if this matter is not resolved
immediately.
Again, we request that you dismiss this appeal as time is of the essence.
Respectfully,
Kim Sigurdson
President
7 Bingharn Drive, Winnipeg MB Canada (204) 283-1484
http://www.ACCcogeneration.ca <http://www.ACCcogeneration.ca>
ArmchairMayor.ca 
Mel, can I assume (and no ass u and me jokes!) you will attend the meeting March 11? Will you be asking questions and what might those questions be?
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I’ll be attending the meeting. Don’t know if I’ll be asking any questions.
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I strongly believe the Chamber is going to damage its reputation by hosting this event, I know many business owners that are opponents and they are very upset with the remark. Some of these are members. Is the Chamber going to censor what can be asked? I bet they are.
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Too late he said it and the damage is done. Anything he says now will not fix it. I will be very surprised if the Chamber will still want to back ACC after a remark like that. If they do people will believe that is the view of the Chamber as well.
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The chamber isn’t backing Sigurdson. It’s hosting the forum as a neutral third party in order to provide a chance for the public to ask questions about the project.
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Not good Kim, maybe discriminatory or prejudiced would have been a better term. But racist? Poor choice. This is not going to help you.
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