The Kamloops Chamber hosted public forum on the ACC gasification proposal attracted roughly 500 people tonight. I'd say out of the all questions asked in a pretty extensive Q&A, only one was remotely supportive of the proposed facility.
My major initial takeaway, besides the fact Terry Lake deftly handled NDP attempts to politicize the forum and the preceding rally, was that Kim Sigurdson seems a very decent man. Have to say that his entrepreneurial story resonates with me - trying to look for opportunities to prosper in the new green technology industries. He handled very pointed, difficult questions better than I expected. He followed government regulations and processes dilligently, with regard to this proposal.
Mr. Sigurdson heard the room reverberate with applause every time another impassioned statement of opposition was given from the audience q&a microphones. He saw a room of mothers, physicians, young people, old people, left winger, right wingers, greens all basically united against his plans. This has to give him pause.
I think, in the end, the process let Mr Sigurdson down. I think if he had undertaken extensive community consultation, this story would have been a lot different. I am almost convinced to take a second look at the science and technology. I, like many others, however still have a trust issue from before I got the opportunity to see Mr Sigurdson in person. And those trust issues are going to be almost impossible to change.
I hope Mr Sigurdson decides not to go ahead with the Kamloops plant, but I also hope he can find a suitable place and be given another chance to run his business. I think with early and extensive consultation in a new community, this has a great chance for success. I wish him well.
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