Resident stunned not to be represented by assembly

To the editor:

In the past few years, I have read and listened to information about the proposed Wishbone Hill Coal Mine and recently the lease of land farther north. There are about 20,000 acres involved.

I am concerned about what this will mean to me as a homeowner. I worry about air quality with open-pit mining. I worry about water contamination from slurry ponds. Is there enough water to support a mine’s needs and also support the needs of our growing population? As a grandmother, I worry about the addition of coal dust in the air and truck traffic.

I attended the recent Mat-Su Borough Assembly meeting. One of the resolutions up for vote was to request a Comprehensive Health Impact Assessment for the three proposed coal mines in the borough. I watched an intelligent and well-informed group of residents speak up to request this assessment, which would inform all of us about the risks and benefits of such extensive projects.

As a resident, I was stunned to see a 4-2 vote to table this resolution indefinitely. We deserve to have this information as industry moves ahead with these projects.

Assembly members Ron Arvin, Steve Colligan, Noel Woods, Darcy Salmon — you are not representing the best interests of borough residents. Mayor Larry DeVilbiss, your rude comments were not appreciated. This assessment would not have slowed development; rather, it would provide unbiased information on health and safety. I am very disturbed by what I witnessed.

Kathryn Jordan

Palmer