Archive for September 7th, 2009

An opinion piece by former Pima County board of supervisor, Mike Boyd, came out last week in Inside Tucson Business. Mike is pro-Rosemont and apparently on their payroll. The premise of his article was why are all the elected officials so negative about the proposed mine?

Once again this is one of the cases were the comments are better than the actual story. Carroll’s Executive Assistant started it all off.  Read oldest to newest. See for yourself.

Chris J Horquilla wrote on Sep 3, 2009 1:32 PM:

” Bottom Line: The Pima County Board of Supervisors had an opportunity to purchase the Rosemont property in early 2005, but decided not to do so because they considered the asking price to be too high.

Considering the amount of the taxpayer’s money the Pima County Board of Supervisors has wasted fighting this proposed Rosemont copper project since 2005, Levy’s offer to sell Rosemont for $4.5 mlllion would have been a bargain. “

Richard H. wrote on Sep 3, 2009 12:30 PM:

” Admit it, NIMBY crybabies; the only reason you oppose Rosemont is because, being lefties and trustfund envirowackos, you are opposed to any kind of development that would benefit the (ugh!) human species. Common sense is not a part of your depleted grey matter. Would you prefer we move the mine somewhere else? World class copper deposits, such as Rosemont are rare as non-marxists in the Obama Administration, and fortunately, whether today, tomorrow, or 10 years from now Rosemont WILL be developed simply because it is there; the economy demands it, and Tucson (and the U.S.) should welcome its economic benefits with open arms.

Also, “MR GREEN”Ray Carroll indignantly opposes Rosemont probably because he’s afraid a new mine near Tucson would tarnish his cronies’ planned bedroom real estate developments. “

Claudia wrote on Sep 3, 2009 9:03 AM:

” Mike is right on! The vocal minority are a bunch of narcissistic wa-wa babies who do not care about the nation, the state of Arizon, Pima County, or their neighbors. Their only agenda is what they MIGHT see upon the rare occasion they drive along Hwy. 83. They have no FACTS on the water situation, nor do they want them, prefering pseudo-science to science. When China controls most base and precious metal resources in the world and ups the financial ante, you’ll reap your well-deserved punishment by being unable to afford an upgraded iPod. “

Chris J. Horquilla wrote on Sep 2, 2009 11:29 PM:

” Considering the economic recession and its impact on our community, you would think people would welcome the good paying jobs these projects would bring to our community. Well, the mining industry is working hard to do just that.

Both the Resolution Copper and Rosemont projects have the capacity of pumping massive amounts of capital into our local economies over extended periods of time. They represent the kind of an economic stimulus package that our community not only desperately needs, but desires. And when done in an environmentally responsible manner, it is an economic stimulus package that will not cost the taxpayer a single dime. “

MT wrote on Sep 1, 2009 2:37 PM:

” Water? I thought Augusta has bought 4 years of water from CAP and prestored it in the aquifier. They also have agreed to replenish the water used plus another 5% for 20years. If we keep importing commodities from outside the United states and shipping $700bb out of the country we will be a broken country in 20 or 30 years. these guys are building a state of the art enviromentaly friendly mine. “

Peggy wrote on Aug 31, 2009 3:17 PM:

” Mike should really get ALL the facts down before making his comments. I know that I am not the only one that hikes in that area. It is a frequented place. I also enjoy the ride along Hwy 83 and the mine would ruin the scenic Hwy. Must I also mention all the water that this mine would use. Mike Boyd is NOT the voice of the community and thank goodness for that. “

Dona LaSchiava wrote on Aug 31, 2009 1:02 PM:

” I believe what Mike Boyd fails to take into account in his remarks about “nimbys” is that said “nimby’s are rightfully concerned about the depletion of and pollution of their homes’ drinking water is that which is at the center of concern for most of these said “nimbys”, their family members, and friends that have found this fight worth fighting! Agreeably life is full of “trade offs’” and my vote will always be for survival basics ie;, clean and readily available drinking water–you just can’t drink copper! “

Jorge Diaz wrote on Aug 30, 2009 7:51 PM:

” There is little I can add to the excellent comments that have already been posted before me, except to again say, Mike Boyd does NOT speak for the greater community, he does not try and do what is best for this community — never has, never will — he’s out to get all the public funding he can get for himself and self-interest, as others have shared, and this opinion piece is nothing but false propaganda Augusta Resources has been spreading since they came to town.

Mike Boyd has a horse in the race, as Mr. Egan pointed out (he’s a lobbyist and consultant, which he omitted in his short biop) — Mr. Boyd started with a lie, and never quite from there. He won’t be tarred and feathered, but he should be ashamed he can’t be honest. “

Lilly Largo wrote on Aug 30, 2009 5:14 PM:

” Above all Mike Boyd is definitely a lobbyist and was a joke as a Pima County Supervisor, and we were all glad when he departed. It’s unfortunate that he has surfaced on the Central Arizona Water Conservation Board. Water is a very precious commodity in the Sonoran Desert and Mike Boyd does not make decisions that are in the best interest of Tucson or Pima County at large. As I previously stated he is first and foremost a lobbyist. “

Elizabeth W wrote on Aug 30, 2009 9:08 AM:

” Consider the source of this opinion.

Don’t forget that Mike Boyd, who has a family interest in hockey, tried to use Pima County voters to help subsidize an ice skating rink in the Northwest. I was in attendance when it happened.

Talk about “trade-offs to make every day”

I hope there is no trouble with me speaking the truth, rather than the opinionated ad hominem attacks on the residents of Pima County. “

attilla the honey wrote on Aug 30, 2009 5:48 AM:

” When fear is all we have…..Last centuries politicians promised to solve our problems with CAP. Todays ADS says water is drying up. Tucson water reports ground water levels are increasing. Can you guys just shut up and go peddle your fear somewhere else? And eco terrorism,…..I’m sorry, I meant tourism. Who are you kidding? They are polluting. “

C. Cook wrote on Aug 29, 2009 10:45 AM:

” S. Egan – Thank you for your comment on this article …..

YOU ARE SO RIGHT ! ! ! !

Rosemont Mine makes no sense economically or environmentally “

Scott Egan wrote on Aug 28, 2009 3:23 PM:

” Mike Boyd asks is someone would be tarred and feathered if they came out in support of the Rosemont mine. Well he hasn’t been — and he made the motion at the Central Arizona Water Conservation District meeting and provided the vote that allocated a huge portion of our drinking water for the mine: but nowhere does he claim that on his list of “services” as a “consultant and lobbyist.”

The people who oppose the destruction of the Santa Rita Mountains are not the “vocal minority” — which he knows, or would know, if he bothered to attend any of the numerous public meetings where the overwhelming majority of people opposed the mine. And the people of Green Valley, many of whom who have lead the charge against the mine because of their own terrible experieces with mine taliings, are hardly the “radical environmentalists” Mr. Boyd is trying to portray the opponents as.

You should know better Mike — and perhaps you do. Is Rosemont one of your “clients” now? Or have you provided enough service to them by giving up our precious drinking water for the profits they will take with them to Canada after the mine is closed but the air and water pollution is left to the rest of us to deal with?

Mr. Boyd talks about jobs. What about the effect on tourism this mine will have, along Scenic Highway 83, as the trucks roll out and the local business people close down? And how many jobs will there be if you keep giving away all of our water, Mike?

Rosemont Mine makes no sense economically or environmentally, and you should be ashamed of your role in supporting them at CAWCD, rather than writing this nonsense to try to justify your selling out of our community.

Sincerely,
Scott D. Egan
Executive Assistant to Ray Carroll
(and a fellow Republican who is neither “politically correct” a “radical environmentalist” or someone with a lot of time on my hands!) “