As an independent observer with a background in crown corporation communications involving pipelines and in political party communications, who has carried out a very extensive examination of KinderMorgan's incident reports since 1961, may I offer these responses to columnist Mark Rushton's "Time for proponent to act in a kinder way" (Nov. 7):
Cutting trees in a Burnaby Park was necessary as unfortunate as that may be.
Countless neighbourhoods have been developed near or over KM pipelines since 1961 with no environmental damage except for stupidity in Burnaby a few years ago...and near Kilgard Creek, too.
People's backyards will look tomorrow like they do today.
The possibility of leaks or spills is minuscule, tiny, very small, minute, microscopic, infinitesimal, little and diminutive.
Shipping oil is legal.
Alternative energy sources are being developed but most are not cost-efficient.
Geothermal is nice when you have the right substrata.
Wind has potential when it is blowing.
Water currents have potential when the sea is moving.
No oil would put us back in the horse and buggy age with wood stoves.
Canada has reserves for hundreds of years...right up until the end of the world.
KM is addressing people's concerns except that some people won't listen to their message regardless.
KM is using a good-neighbour approach and they don't need a new PR firm as they have professional staff.
Tanker traffic in Burrard Inlet, the Georgia Strait and the Juan de Fuca Strait will be totally safe.
KM is making many, many moves to ameliorate people's concerns.
Pipe-Up Network won't listen and continue to use scare tactics.
KM is not using a high-handed approach but professional consultation strategies and tactics.
Objectors need to be better informed and only need to do research...like me.
G.E. MacDonell
Abbotsford