From our readers

Dear Editor:

The "mining guys" are trying to get people to call their mine either a gold or zinc mine.  But in THEIR Permit Applications they call it what it is: VOLCANIC MASSIVE SULFIDE. Fact: the ore contains a very small % of gold, zinc & silver (parts per million). It contains a VERY LARGE % of sulfides and TOXIC elements: lead, mercury, arsenic and other heavy metals. About 3% of what is mined is saleable. But to get that tiny 3% many billions of pounds of Sulfide rock is mined, crushed, pulverized and then processed using Cyanide and other TOXIC chemicals. The 97% waste left over (about 34,287,883,224 pounds) of highly reactive and toxic waste and possibly acres and acres of used plastic / rubber used in mining, will be dumped into their pit only feet away from the Menominee River!. The truth is this pit should be called a toxic dump!  

Aquila permit application states: "Leachate from tailings and waste rock produced acidic leachate having pH reported less than 3.0. "" For most tailings and waste rock kinetic samples, antimony, arsenic, cadmium, copper, lead, mercury, selenium, silver, and zinc are prominent in the leachate". Aquila's report shows this SULFIDE ORE has almost a 100% chance of creating Acid ("Acid Mine Drainage"". Acid Mine Drainage is so bad that the U.S. Department of Interior and the U.S. Geological Survey wrote a 363-page report "SULFIDE ORES". They write: Acid-mine drainage is one of the most significant challenges associated with sulfide deposits.,, Most metals show greater solubility at lower pH values.,, Ecosystem threats are dominantly produced by acid mine drainage, which targets aquatic environments,,, Once liberated, the metals and acidity can affect downstream aquatic ecosystems. Downstream effects can be localized or can extend at least 60-miles from mine sites.

 This deposit is within feet of the Menominee River. It is a SULFIDE ORE. It is in a wet environment: humidity, rain, ground water, snow, etc. SULFIDES will reactant and create ACID! The scientific facts are against a mine of this type and history proves this mine is a terrible risk.

Thank you,

Tom Boerner,

Adjacent landowner in Lake Township



Dear Editor:

Customer Service seems to be a forgotten aspect of many businesses.  With all the choices of where a person can do business or spend their hard earned money, customer service should be very important to the business owners and their employees. I like to buy local and try to do so even when it costs a little more money. Sadly Marinette County Government largely has terrible customer service. It comes as no surprise as it starts with the elected county board members and some people they have hired directly or indirectly including the administrator. Remember that the administrator used to run the county landfill (dump) so we know where some of his real world experience has been gathered working for the county for many years. I have experienced that county board members don't reply to emails even those sent on the antiquated designed "new" county website where a time consuming form has to be filled out to send a simple email. Board Members is it that hard to just simply acknowledge receiving an email or isn't it working?  I have not tried all county departments but the only county department I have experienced so far that has good customer service is Human Resources. I think the solution for this is simple, mandatory training for every county board member and employees about what good customer service is and about giving it. All of the tax payers and visitors deserve it.

 I see the county has found an unbudgeted $60,000 to allocate towards applying for a grant with a firm from Michigan in hopes of improving internet for 4,200 people and businesses that already may have internet available along Highway 141. The tax payers and tourists in the very rural areas need something not the people in this corridor.  he total cost is projected at $436,000 equals $103 per possible user. The projected rate of $39.95 to $69.95 is way more than the $5.99 per month that my mom pays for very fast service in Plymouth, WI. as part of her cable and telephone bundle from a big national company. This new "broadband" method that they want to try in Marinette County does not use cell phone technology so consumers would be locked into one out of state company and their special use equipment. This system would not help the new expensive software and communication system that the sheriff's department uses that relies on cell phone service (data).    

 One lingering question I have is has the back log of 400+ cases in the Marinette County District Attorney's office been reduced?

 Should I even mention the old jail or lack of a full time tourism promotion person?

Sincerely,

Pete Pfankuch, Crivitz



Dear Editor:

It is exciting when a new business comes to town and donates to the community. We are appreciative of Kwik Trip's donation of $1,000 to Tri-City Area United Way.

It is through community support and generosity that Tri-City Area United Way is able to provide funding for our internal programs, as well as funding for our partner agencies. These agencies, in turn, provide the services that are vital to making an incredible impact on the lives of our neighbors.

Tri-City Area United Way fights for the health, education, financial stability of every person in every community. Every donation we receive during our campaign stays right here in Menominee County, Michigan, and Marinette and Oconto Counties, creating changes you can see in your community. Whether you give, advocate or volunteer, thank you for your commitment.

Together, united, we can inspire hope and create opportunities for a better tomorrow. That's what it means to Live United.

Erika Lesperance, Administrative Assistant,

Tri-City Area United Way



Dear Editor:

Something is coming up? What? Voting by Wisconsin Law required a photo ID to vote; simply don't have one, you can't vote. This is giving you time to acquire one now. I can't believe in this day and age anyone doesn't have a photo ID. Some of the simple everyday things that require a photo ID are: Drive a vehicle; cash a check; get a job; stay in a hotel/motel; fly on an airplane; get a Carry Permit; receive government assistance; visit a new doctor; receive some cold medication from a pharmacy.

Please take the time now to get yourself a photo ID. If you're not a citizen you can't vote in our elections. As a citizen it's your right and in my opinion your obligation to vote. I want all people who are eligible to vote.

George Kloppneburg, Amberg



Dear Editor:

I attended the public meeting in Stephenson but was not chosen to speak. I did hand in my statement, but have added a little to it to present here. I was also surprised no one brought up the concerns I have.

The couple of people who spoke in favor of issuing the wetlands permit only stressed "jobs'. Every major well paying industry in the Menominee-Marinette area is looking for workers and hiring. So that is not an issue.

On Green Bay's Channel 5, Newsmakers Sunday a couple of months ago, the interviewer asked an Aquila spokesperson, worst case scenario, there is catastrophic failure, what the remedy? Her reply was we are required to have funding set aside, but you have to remember, this is about jobs. This is not an answer the public wants to hear.

My concern is contamination that occurs offsite to wetlands, ground water, surface water or wells, either underground or dust from the air, what is the physical plan to reverse or stop the pollution? Never mind the funding, funding means little if it is physically impossible to reverse. We see that now in Wisconsin's Door County where 30% of all wells are contaminated due to farm fertilizer. Their only remedy is to provide bottled water.

Dave Anderson, environmental spokesman for Aquila, at a Menominee City Council meeting, when asked about ability to respond to a catastrophic event, could not answer the question.

The public deserves an answer to that question. That answer should be the deciding factor in any permits. If you can not respond to a catastrophic event, reverse to stop it failure, you haven't met all the requirements. How in the world can anyone state that Michigan has the most stringent mining laws if you cannot answer that question?

I believe to a point Post 632 does require a cleanup plan. But the DEQ is accepting funding as an answer. This is wrong.

A catastrophic failure at or around the site now or in the future would release a cancer. And they as one may, there are times when all the money in the world can't stop a cancer.

Please reject this wetland permit and reconsider the others without an answer to that question. The citizens beg of it.

Thank you for the opportunity to express my concerns.

Mike Tanguay, Menominee

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