Letter: We should be ashamed

To the Editor:

As a local citizen who's been quite involved in the issue of silica sand mining, I would like to add some comments to several of the letters that appeared in the Wednesday Feb. 27 edition of the Red Wing Republican Eagle.

First, to the letter written by Arlin and Marilyn Albrecht, I say "Hear, hear!" They hit the issue square on the head.

I dare say Red Wing lost a strong ally with the resignation of Mayor Dennis Egan. From my perspective, we would have had an inside track on what was occurring within the ranks of the Minnesota Industrial Sand Council and having the mayor there to report back would have been very advantageous. That window of opportunity is gone now.

All Red Wing citizens should be ashamed of the way we've treated our duly elected mayor — those that raised the cry of "conflict of interest" and called for his removal/resignation and those of us who failed to come to Egan's support.

Kudos to the Albrechts for a wonderfully written letter.

Second, I'd like to address the letter written by Julie J. Casey of Glendale, Ariz. I suggest you go to the Goodhue County website, www.co.goodhue.mn.us.gov. Under "County Government" and "Committees," click on "Mining Committee." There, you will find a host of maps and information concerning silica sand mining and you will learn that this is an area of interest that is being heavily researched. You also will see where the county's mining ordinances have be greatly strengthened to protect the citizens, land, air and water of Goodhue County.

And, third, a comment on Mr. Shawn Pettit's letter. A better answer to that question can be found by going back through the past two years of Republican Eagle letters to the editor and compare the number of letters written voicing opinions against mining versus those written expressing a pro-mining stance.

John Litsenberger

Red Wing

Tags: opinion, letters