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KAMLOOPS THIS WEEK THURSDAY
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MAY 28, 2015 | Volume 28 No. 64
BATTLE SCARS
Gaglardi, Armstrong among 42 signing in support of Ajax mine CAM FORTEMS
STAFF REPORTER
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Matt Lepp tells how a transplant saved him — and how others can become lifesavers. Page A10 DAVE EAGLES/KTW
A number of city luminaries in business, real estate and sports jointly signed a letter expressing unreserved trust in KGHM Ajax as well as the environmental-approval process involved in its mine application. The letter, signed jointly by 42 people, is written to senior federal and provincial political decision-makers and copied to the premier, Kamloops MLAs and the city MP. It was made public by ThompsonNicola Regional District director Mel Rothenburger, who posted it on his blog. Those signing include Olympian Dylan Armstrong, Kamloops Blazers and Dallas Stars owner and business magnate Tom Gaglardi, former city CAO Randy Diehl and Radio NL general manager and part-owner Garth Buchko. While the letter is titled “Kamloops Business Leaders for Ajax,” one of the signatories said the document of support came at the behest of KGHM Ajax, which held a private meeting to garner support for its application. “We fully expect, based on the efforts KGHM has made to listen to our community and address people’s concerns about air quality and dust, noise, visual impacts and other issues, that the Ajax Project will prove to be environmentally sound . . . Not only
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are we confident that Ajax will protect our health and safety, we also believe it will benefit the quality of life of every Kamloops resident,” it reads. Diehl, former City of Kamloops chief administrative officer, said he was asked to attend a private meeting of business leaders about two months ago. Coming out of that meeting, KGHM Ajax officials presented a letter for signing. “There’s so much negativity about the location and mining,” Diehl said. “I wanted the ministry to understand there’s people in town not antimining, per se.” Olympic bronze medal winner Dylan Armstrong said his family has mining roots and he supports the corporation, which has provided him sponsorship money. He declined to detail that financial support. “It’s bringing money to the city,” said Armstrong, whose father worked at Highland Valley Copper and whose uncle now works there. “I have lots of friends in the industry, here and other parts of the world.” Ajax spokesman Robert Koopmans said in an email message a corporate official could not be made available to comment, stating only “we are grateful for the strong show of support.” Both Armstrong and Diehl said their support is contingent on a clean bill of health in the coming environmental application.
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