Editor:
It was interesting to read your article ‘Redefining Energy’ in your November edition. It paints a wonderful picture of a responsible industry striving to evolve and make peace with those its work impacts. But, of course, we know that’s a bunch of BS.
Let’s face it: For decades the oil and gas industry has run rampant over landowners, with the tacit agreement of the governments involved. They like the money they get from this industry too much to make much of an effort to curtail it, or to make it operate more responsibly.
Politicians worry that if they make things too difficult for the industry, the big corporations will pull out and go to work elsewhere in the world, where the climate is more friendly. Then what would we be left with, the politicos worry. Ranching in Alberta at a time when that industry is on its heels? Forestry in BC, when that industry is almost non-existent? They don’t dare kill the goose that lays the golden egg.
So the landowners are left to fight this battle on their own. And that is truly a David and Goliath scenario. Imagine the farm or ranch couple faced with a land agent explaining there will soon be drilling on their property, or a pipeline running across it, or both. What happened to the concept of ownership? What other industry can come onto your property whenever and however they wish, just because they think there’s something there that they want? None.
And let’s not even think of the impact of this industry on our water supplies, especially now that the search for unconventional gas in shale and silt formations has taken the process of ‘fraccing’ to new levels. Many areas suffered drought conditions last summer and some communities had to impose water restrictions on their citizens. Did we hear of the big corporations cutting back on their fraccing so they wouldn’t use so much water and thus help us out? Not a chance. Is this a responsible industry?
It’s fine to talk of the progress being made in the industry, and likely that’s what energy conferences like the one in Fort St. John BC are for. But the BC Premier, the mayor of Fort St. John and the others quoted in the article are deluding themselves if they thing problems are being solved. The industry is just making polite noises to stall those upset with its operations and its lack of simple human decency while it pursues the almighty dollar at the expense of everyone it comes into contact with. The money a Shell or Encana spends on so-called advancements is only pennies to them, but it’s a great smoke and mirrors game to fool us into thinking they really care.
Aaron Gottlieb
Grande Prairie

Editor:
I was surprised to read Karen’s article (The Toybox) in the Nov. issue of NWB titled Calling All Gamers.
The reason I say surprised is that my impression of NWB’s target audience is that it is partially the businesses within the region.
If the above is true, most business owners that I know are not gamers.  Many don’t have time or are enjoying a lifestyle that is a nice one, but gaming is rarely included.  My knowledge of the business market may be limited but perhaps the above is true.  The article certainly had very little relevance to me.
The other aspect that is well known to people working in the technology industry is that Microsoft has released more software and solution for businesses that are in NWB target audience in 2010 than at any other time in the company’s history.
IBM, Cisco, HP and Google are also releasing products that are more and more relevant to the SMB market in the near future and have released several over the last two years.
It is a time of very rapid innovation and change for businesses that are connected to technology in any way.  Perhaps content highlighting the technology or the local impact it has had may be more of interest.
If you would like article suggestions going forward I have several and would be happy to offer any suggestions or content that you feel might be relevant.
Darren Boyer,
Via email

Editor:
The letter to the editor ‘Seeking Equality’ was not ethical for you to publish. It’s racist. Basically some old guy ranting on a sensitive topic that has no bearing on what your magazine deals with on regular basis. I’m shocked you published it.
If you would like any other racist material, I don’t like Italian people. Let me know.
Jesse Fehr,
Via email