Jobs can be moved, but not an estuary!

Rebuttal to: "Much misinformation going around about PIM"Citizen March 22 Dave KennedyPIM's alleged Input into local economy with quotes from the referenced article:

• " PIM has an annual payroll of approximately $6 million (based on allegedly 75 employees). we (PIM workers) support many local subcontractors and business including electricians , plumbers, carpenters , mechanics, machinists the spin off jobs are estimated to be 2.5 to one".

 Fact: Employment figures range from 4-8 in 2005 when PIM first moved onto the terminal to an alleged 60 to 80 at present on the terminal, a number seemingly vastly inflated and lacking proof.Fact: Results of a perception poll implemented by UVIC and CERCA show that 1018 of 1144 households (= 89%)  polled oppose industry in the estuary. Assuming an average income of $80K/a/family of households in opposition their input into the local economy is 80 million (compared to PIM's alleged 6 million). And needless to say that the 1018 households support not only the trades and sub-contractors cited but also health services, restaurants, food industry etc. with spin off jobs at least 2.5 to one, adding an another $ 200 million to the local economy!

• "..they (retirees) don't seem to care about the working family men employed at this facility and all of them moved there long after industry was established in the bay! "

Fact:  Cowichan Bay attracts retirees and many highly qualified professionals alike who all buy their homes, new vehicles and appliances with hard earned cash saved up during their working years compared to PIM's workers driving fancy trucks and living in places owned mostly by their banks!Fact:  The majority of families living in Cowichan Bay have lived here way before the illegal metal/concrete manufacturing started by PIM in 2005.

• "..most of what we build here has to be transported by water as they are too large to be hauled by road" .

Fact: Not true, PIM's  local competitors Surespan and Heavy Metals build same structures on land to be  assembled on site for launching. PIM should not bid on jobs it can't handle!Fact: Both competitors pay property taxes to the CVRD. PIM pays none to the CVRD for his sub-leased land since Crown Leases are exempt!Cowichan Bay residents owning properties on Khenipsen, Gore-Langton and Cowichan Bay Roads (total of 3.2 km waterfront) pay a combined total of $225K compared to $ zero paid by the Lessee of the 3.2km Westcan Terminal estuary-front property!If allegedly Mr. Kennedy will purchase PIM operations he can't be in the poor house!Dr.Goetz SchuerholzChair CERCA