HomeMy Public PortalAbout2018.09.24 Bechdel Fwd_ Comments_ West Central Partnership AgreementFrom:Anette Spickard
To:BessieJo Wagner
Subject:Fwd: Comments: West Central Partnership Agreement
Date:Monday, September 24, 2018 7:52:38 AM
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From: laura bechdel <earthjive@gmail.com>
Sent: Friday, September 21, 2018 9:21:31 PM
To: Jackie Aymon; Bob Giles; Colby Nielsen; Melanie Holmes; Thomas Sowers
Cc: Anette Spickard
Subject: Comments: West Central Partnership Agreement
Dear City Council members,
First off, I’d like to express my appreciation for your role in serving on the McCall City
Council. I know how hard you work to understand issues that affect our community,
listen to diverse perspectives, and make decisions in the best interest of all those who
live and recreate in McCall. Thank you!
Now, I write to share my concerns with the West Central Partnership Agreement
proposed by Midas Gold. I am strongly opposed to the Stibnite Gold Project,
primarily for environmental and ecological reasons, although I see economical
incentive to reject the project as well. That aside, West Central Partnership
Agreement in particular concerns me greatly. Midas Gold asserts that signing the
agreement “... is not a statement of support for the project” (as per Laurel Sayer,
Midas Gold President and CEO, in a letter to the City of McCall dated September 5th,
2018). However, I disagree. If and when Midas is able to communicate to investors,
stakeholders, and regional communities that all, or a majority, of participating
communities have signed the West Central Partnership Agreement, that undeniably
communicates a level of collaboration that does not accurately reflect the citizens’
viewpoints.
Alternatively, I would encourage City Council members to reject the West Central
Partnership Agreement. Instead, a Midas Gold representative should bear the
responsibility to attend regular City Council meetings in order to meet the
‘commitments’ included in their proposed partnership. At those meetings, they will
hear feedback and advice from City Council as well as McCall and Valley County
residents. They will gain an understanding of the needs and values of our community,
and insight into what projects need financial support. Similarly, the comments from
Midas Gold employees will be shared in a public and transparent setting, contributing
to a more democratic process than a closed door meeting. If needed, Midas could
host ‘community forum’ events to solicit greater participation and targeted feedback
from community members, rather than have a City employee serve on an advisory
committee, which automatically implies support and agreement. Lastly, I do think the
City Council should submit a letter in response to the EIS statement, during the 45
day comment period following its release in spring 2019.
I recognize that Midas Gold has noble intentions: being available for questions from
the public, cleaning up past and future mining damage, and contributing to local
community projects via a Foundation. While profit generating businesses can -- and
should -- give back to the communities in which they operate, Midas Gold does not
deserve the signatures of McCall City Council for the West Central Partnership
Project. The very word “partnership” is defined by the state of being a partner. Does
McCall as a city, and the residents of McCall, truly want to partner with a corporation
that is extracting valuable resources while leaving us with the waste and ruin of that
process? I for one, do not.
Thank you for taking the time to read and consider my thoughts.
Sincerely,
Laura Bechdel
771 Knights Road
McCall, ID 83638
(208) 634-5537
earthjive@gmail.com