Letter: 'Aw, shucks' reporting leaves lot to be desired

To the Editor:

I am disappointed to see two articles in the R-E that are nothing more than positive propaganda in favor of frac sand mines. (Sept. 29, “Wisconsin sand mines home to flourishing bat habitats” and “Trout Unlimited, mining company team up for river restoration.”

The R-E has done zero investigative reporting about frac sand mining and there is no “other side” to the issue explained in either one of the recent “Aw Shucks” style articles.

For over a year a group of well-educated and highly impacted citizens has been trying to get the message out about the danger of frac sand and the long-term health and community consequences, yet the R-E has chosen to write sweet nothings about bats and trout stream “cleanup” while carcinogens are flying through the air on a daily basis, drinking water supplies are being drained, property values are dropping and toxins are swimming into other local streams and rivers completely unnoticed and unchecked.

On top of that the mining study committee, meeting for the first time Sept, 25 to revisit the mining issue, took time out of their new schedule to ridicule members of the community for their concern and activism. Without 200 angry people in the room, I guess it was easier for them to vocalize their utter disdain for public input.

With help from the R-E and the mining study committee, we may just get to have silica sand mining in Goodhue County. And with all the volunteering those do-gooder sand companies offer we can all look forward to a helping hand when we’re walking down the hospital hallway with our respirators.

Michelle Meyer

Red Wing

Tags: opinion, letters