Margy Johnson Comments On NGO Responsibility - We Celebrate Canada Day Going Into The Independence Day Weekend
"Let Freedom Ring"
Today is Canada Day and Monday is America's Independence Day. We are aware that these celebrations are partly a celebration of our two counties' independence, partly a commitment to defend freedom for future generations.
Meanwhile, here's an editorial comment from a community leader and NGP reader, Margy Johnson (NGP Photo) as she reflects on events of the last few days. -dh
“The "Eat, Drink and Testify" event -- reported here -- organized by a number of Alaska non profit volunteers, encouraged citizens to make their views known on a "Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement" (SEIS). Joining them as allies were "Pro-OCS Jobs Polar Bears" in costume. The local non-profit volunteers came from the Alaska Support Industry Alliance, Resource Development Council for Alaska, Chambers of Commerce, and Consumer Energy Alliance.”
The University of Alaska has buildings named after some of their more generous donors: BP and Conono Phillips, and, there is a VECO conference room at APU. I can only wonder, given the circumstances, why professors weren’t there to testify in support of Chukchi development, not against it. Why don’t students understand the urgency? I am here to tell you: “No money, no schools.”
The arts community has always been a recipient of oil company dollars. Surely, when there is a public hearing of this importance, the arts community have a presence. “No money, no arts.”
“The Pro-OCS crowd consisted of about 100 and over 30 of those testified, including private citizens, government officials and representatives from a broad sector of the economy, including mining, timber, tourism, organized labor.”
Alaskans are pretty sure of ourselves when we don’t want something. Nifty little signs with a red slash show up all around town. What about when we DO want something? Do we talk with our neighbors, people we meet in stores and at events?
Sadly, “not so much.”
Was the “Don’t touch my dividend crowd” in attendance? Many Alaskans think of the dividend as a divine right of the “Owner State.” It is a gift from oil. Ownership implies responsibility! There is no free lunch. No oil money, no divided. No development. No dividend.
For those who care about Alaska’s future enough to be involved, thank you. We are a resource state. To the extent that we develop resources we have a good future.
(Note: Margy Johnson is a statewide business leader with service as President of the Cordova Chamber of Commerce, President of the Alaska State Chamber of Commerce, Alaska State Director or International Trade and Mayor of Cordova. -dh)
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