We are people

To the editor:

Dear coal mine,

We are not dogs. We are people. I’ve just spent my first full day in Juneau talking to the legislators of our great state about Wishbone Hill. This proposed mine sets a dangerous precedent of an open-pit coal mine in a populated urban area.

They’ve told me that I need to realize that coalmines do not care about us. In fact, this company slings mud to try to get people fired for speaking up for their beliefs that we are stewards of this land. I am saddened that one of the geologists for this company, who agreed that this might not be the best location for a coalmine, perished. My prayers are for his family.

Legislators have told me development projects are being stopped because of a fish here or there.

We are not fish. We are people. Wishbone Hill is our moose range — not future coalmines.

If I were a dog, I’d howl for a wishbone, a setback like there is at Healy. I’d bark for another wishbone, a new best-interest finding to ask the basic question: is this the best use of this land in this neighborhood next to these two schools?

I’d possibly even shake a paw for a real say in the shaping of my Valley’s future.

We are not dogs. We are people — the Mat Valley Coalition.

Heather McCausland

Palmer