07/24/2008: "Open letter to Parliament Member Keith Martin:"

ig_MP_Keith_Martin-1 (34k image) (The following letter from Gordy Petersen was sent to Liberal Minister of Parliament Keith Martin -photo right)

Dear Mr. Martin,

From the recent coverage “ “Victoria sewage raising a stink on San Juans” and a video that was broadcast in the local news, I understand that you wish a public apology from me for saying that the plastic feminine hygiene debris I found on the beaches of neighboring San Juan Island was flushed down Victoria’s toilets. I am truly sorry. Yes these items are gross. I am not absolutely certain they came from your toilets. The evidence is circumstantial.

I think you may have missed my point. My point was that there are people living just 10 miles across Haro Straight that are very concerned about the untreated sewage that comes our way on the tide. I don’t understand why some of your top scientists and health professionals think it is pure and natural to pollute the sea with raw sewage.

If I could vote in Canada I think I would support you. You are strong on environmental issues. You have the power to stop this. Do you think your sewage is natural?

I would like to ask a small favor. Some of us over in the San Juans used to like to come to Victoria in our boats. It is inconvenient and expensive to use the pump out sewage facilities over here. The US Coast Guard is real hard nosed about us dumping raw sewage in our waters. Can we use your harbors to pump our heads? It is pure and natural human waste. No plastics.

If you say no, I understand. What I don’t understand is why you don’t do something now about using our shared waters as your municipal toilet. Please help.

Gordy Petersen,
San Juan Island, WA