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10 The Canadian Statesman, Bowmanville, Novemiber 9, 1977 Section Trwo Letters fo The Editoàr To the Editor and Mr. R.L. Willsher, Newcastle and District, Chamber of Commer ce. I'm happy to hear that "the Newcastle and District Chamber of Commerce is disturbed at the publicity concerning the Darlington Generating Station". Such cerebral activity is indicative of thought, which occasionally leads to communication, a much advertised but virtpally extinct means of survîval. 1Now l'Il give it to you straight, Mr. Willsher. The Darlington site issue is far from being a closed case. There's a lot more at stake here than most people want to think about. And that's pre- cisely what we ail must do; we have to think about it, you can't just sweep the whole thing under the carpet. I figure if the Ontario Government tells me I'm entitled to something (a hear- îng according to the Environ- mental Assessment Act) and then changes its mnd 'at the last minute and says no, well - that's downright rude and inconsiderate, to say the least. To top it off, when my friends and I walk through the ramn for hours and sit down to remind the government to keep its promises, they don't give us any more than a "no com- ment", for pete's sake, then cart us off on a trespassing charge. Why, I.don't have the kind of money the government or Ontario Hydro has; I sure can't afford fancy ads on TV or in the papers. Ail I have is my common sense, a con- science and what some people caîl a big mouth. I figure that's ail it takes for 'partici- patory democracy', don't you? If you're going into business for the first time, you get help from somebody with experi- ence, right? You 'cail in experts'. Especially when the competition's tough and rich. Well, that's what SEAP did. We invited Greenpeace, I don't caîl that intrudîng, Mr. Willsher. You also wrote, "local residents are quite capable of questîoning any new industry and possible disadvantages it may bring." That's just what we're doing; we want all local residents to know that they should be questioning this new industry, and why. You and the Chamber may be satisfied with the Ontario government and Ontario Hydro considering the pros and cons and providing the necessary safeguards. We're definitely not! And we don't think the people of Ontario would be if they knew ail the facts. Do you and the average Joe-Jane know as much about the cons as much as you do about the abundantly adver- tised pros? How many know what safeguards are neces- sary? How do you know that these safeguards are going to be provided for generations to come? "They are experienced in this type of installation." What expert bas yet outlived the time required to store nuclear wastes? Who has the experience to avert nuclear- related diseases over the centuries? "Pickering bas operated for more than eight years and is considered an asset." By whom? Why? What about the thousands of people the world over who have demonstrated en masse, that they consider- ed nuclear development a severe liability? There are individuals and organizations ail over the province, who are onpsedto nulear npower, i '~ M of renewable alternatives and conservation, think how many safe, long-term jobs it would bring. I am obliged to question a system of law which punishes me for defending my children against harm while allowîng the development. of an industry which threatens al life. "Lt is the responsibility of the residents to carefully evaluateeach side and arrive at a conclusion." (In the meantime,,we are stili being bombarded with PR from the industry, and the Darlington plant is quietly but steadily being built, as if the people Continued on Page 11 ALL PRICES EFFECTIVE NOV. 9-15, 1977, IN METRO TORONTO e MISSISSAUGA e OAKVILLE 0 THORNHILL & BRAMPTON BOWMANVILLE, MALTON - WE RESERVE THE RIGHT To LIMIT QUANTITIES. M Pen WEDNESDAY OPEN TO 10:00 p-mm h AMI wt 1 un H, dreds of Best Buys and regular-evei