Where have Democrats been on big PolyMet issue?
Letter To Editor - Mesabi Daily News
Northeastern Minnesota residents should be disgusted with our government agencies. It has now become almost a joke, when talking about PolyMet and its never-ending timeline in getting permits and an Environmental Impact Statement.
There is no reason, why PolyMet has had to sit and wait for eight years, while spending more than $40 million to get the “go-ahead” to add valuable jobs to our area. Why is it that states like Wisconsin, Michigan, and Indiana can get this process done in warp-speed?
Where have our local politicians been? In my opinion, “their heads have been buried in sand” on this issue. Not one local politician has really stood up and fought this issue. Why hasn’t our elected Democrats in this area fought to cut through all the red tape and delays? Chip Cravaack has done more and fought harder than anyone else to get this resolved and done. Also, I must mention County Commissioner Keith Nelson for his passion and work on this issue. But no one else has come forward.
Mining is everything to Northeastern Minnesota, and I understand the concerns of environmentalists. However, the last time I looked the lakes and rivers were beautiful and full of fish. The woods are plush with green forests and full of wildlife, and the BWCAW, which I frequent quite regularly, is pristine and beautiful. And to think all of this has lasted and thrived with more than 120 years of mining in our area.
The environmentalists, which include the “Friends of the Boundary Waters” group, have lost all credibility in my opinion. Handing in petitions to the state with signatures not even from the area, and signatures duplicated was a cheap attempt to delay the permit process. I challenge that I could get 12,000 signatures (all legitimate) in several weeks, in support of mining in our area.
The way we do business in Minnesota must be looked into and changed. We need jobs! Now! And if our local politicians can’t cut through all this red tape, and use “common sense,” then its time for a change. We simply can’t afford this type of leadership going forward. It’s time for a change!
Dan Darbo
Republican
Candidate
for House 6B
