Letters to Council and Ministry from Patti Goertzen:
Feb 2, 2004
"Pearls of wisdom straight from the horses' mouth without
thinking about what ends up coming out of the other end of the
horse.... as reported by the print media:..."
Letters to Council and Ministry from Patti Goertzen:
----- Original Message -----
From: Patti Goertzen
To:
Sent: Monday, February 02, 2004 5:12 PM
Subject: quotes
To: Mayor and council
Pearls of wisdom straight from the horses' mouth without thinking about
what ends up coming out of the other end of the horse.... as reported
by the print media:
Mr. Kissack, Norske environmental director, re- the #4 boiler,
after oily goo blankets Crofton and the company had to wash l4l cats
and dogs - as well as settle claims from residents from the
entire area of Crofton.
"Despite the best efforts of employees and outside experts, the company
has been unable to eliminate "ash discharges" from the (#4) boiler."
"Samples have been sent to Vancouver's independent B.C. Research
Laboratory. Results are due in a week, but findings will ONLY
determine if the ASH CAME FROM THE (#4) BOILER."
"There is no specific test to measure toxicity - it is NOT a situation
you can replicate in a lab." (#4 boiler)
"The main motivation for switching fuels (from clean burning natural
gas to creosote covered railway ties, tires and coal) was economic.
"The province will base its decision on the scientific facts placed
before it (by the company as the Water, Land, Air Protection ministry
does NOT DO ANY TESTING).
Mr. McKendrick, Crofton vice president:
We know we (Crofton pulp mill) are complying with the laws of the land and we'd never do otherwise."
**The Norske Crofton mill was repeatedly on the non-compliant list for
municipal and industrial polluters exceeding permits that allowed them
to pollute. Based on 20 reports every 6 months, Norske appeared 9
times in the non-compliance report for exceeding the permitted level of
total reduced air emissions, from October l, 1999 to March 31, 2000.
(#4 boiler)
Jamie Stephen, Duncan conservation officer - re #4 boiler and black goo blanketing Crofton:
"The ministry has it under activ e investigation. This is a
complex problem that's eluding the mill's best efforts to determine
what's happening.."
Chuck Easton, environmental co-ordinator for Norske Skog's Elk Falls mill:
"The plant is too old to completely eliminate the rotten-eggs smell
from its stacks." (he mentioned they've reduced it significantly)
Mr. Don McKendrick, Crofton mill vice president, the man charged with making the decision to burn alternate fuels.
"The company is seeking a six month extension for public input on its proposal to test alternate fuels in its #4 boiler"
The alternate fuels are coal, railway tie and tires, with wood and hog fuel.
Patti Goertzen, 6434 Woodgrove Way, Maple Bay, B.C. Phone: (250) 746-8273
Air Pollutants 
