I wonder who the United Steelworkers are trying to help with their ugly, personal attack on Bill Bennett in your newspaper. It certainly isn't coal mine workers. Over his time as our MLA, Bill has fought relentlessly for coal miners, their industry and their jobs, against an urban legislature and urban media that doesn't have a clue about the enormous benefits from the industry. When Bill was first elected, he hand wrapped 79 pieces of coal from Fording River in red and gave one to each MLA in the Legislature at Christmas to raise the profile of coal mining. Many MLAs didn't even know B.C. had a coal industry. He has spoken dozens of times in the legislature and through the media in support of coal mining. Bill Bennett is also our best hope to avoid the complete shut-down of the industry by the environmentalists, due to the very real selenium challenge. Selenium levels can be reduced by Teck Coal if government doesn't force the company out of business by demanding unrealistic actions. The NDP has proven they are no friend of mining. As a fourth generation Wilson working in the Elk Valley coal industry, I say to these union leaders - give your heads a shake. Instead of using your members' money to attack the most effective champion coal miners have ever had, you should make smarter use of your members' hard-earned money and donate to Bill Bennett's campaign.
George Wilson
Fernie