Editor:
Political extremism is rarely successful and can never be effective in a democracy. Yet, we seem to be, once again, experiencing this type of radical idealism in Gibsons. Gibsons Alliance of Business and Community (GABC) states environmental health as one of their values: “We support the precautionary principle as our community’s most prudent guide when facing environmental and public policy decisions that will have an impact on human health or air, land, and marine environments.”
Yet, when I asked about the GABC’s position on the Metro Vancouver waste incinerator project, it was summarily dismissed. Is it because the proposed incinerator will be in Port Mellon and not Gibsons? Well, that can’t be, as the Future of Howe Sound Society is mentioned on the website. And air does travel — polluted or otherwise, so I believe this to be a Sunshine Coast issue.
The Wilderness Committee, David Suzuki Foundation, Sierra Club and Greenpeace all expound on the dangers of waste incineration. Yet, GABC does not have a position. That seems very odd to me.
The current opposition of the proposed George hotel isn’t about the George, it’s about the perception of corporations and wealth. GABC shows an obvious disconnect to how our society remains inclusive and how our society supports the infrastructure and amenities that we all clearly appreciate.
Robert F. Kennedy said, “What is objectionable, what is dangerous about extremists is not that they are extreme but that they are intolerant. The evil is not what they say about their cause, but what they say about their opponents.”
While everyone is certainly entitled to their opinion on the proposed George Hotel, let’s remember that there are other important issues that will need our collective attention to assess and determine the future of the Sunshine Coast. Will this future include burning Metro Vancouver’s garbage?
Michele March, Gibsons
