Garvey Calls on Thompson to Live by the Mining Moratorium FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 10:30 a.m. March 25, 1998 FOR INFORMATION: Dustin Bielke 608-238-8099 MILWAUKEE - Speaking with grassroots environmental activists in Milwaukee, Ed Garvey called on Tommy Thompson to not only sign the mining moratorium bill, but to uphold its intent. "It is inexcusable for the governor to wait one minute longer to sign the moratorium," Garvey said. "And once that happens we need assurance that he and his political appointees in the DNR are not working on ways to get around the bill." The mining moratorium bill states clearly that metallic mines may not be built if it cannot be demonstrated that similar mines have operated safely for ten years and been closed for ten years without polluting the environment. In a letter he sent to concerned citizens on March 20, Thompson promised that he would sign the moratorium bill that has already passed the Senate and Assembly by wide margins. Thompson has said that the Crandon mine will not be built if his scientific council on metallic mining finds it unsafe for the environment. For Garvey, this statement sounds like the verbal equivalent of a smokescreen: "If the governor honestly intends to abide by the standards set by the mining moratorium bill there is no need for a scientific council, " Garvey said. "The law passed by the Legislature that the governor says he'll sign clearly overrides any findings of Thompson's advisory council." Garvey finds the governor's mixed message disturbing. "Thompson is making plans to ignore the plain language of the bill," Garvey said. "It is time to stop the games and get on with the protection of our environment." Garvey applauded the broad-based, grassroots effort that pressured Thompson and the Legislature to bring the mining moratorium bill this far. "Citizens across this state from all walks of life worked hard for this bill," said Garvey. "It is time for the Governor to ally himself with the people of Wisconsin instead of with his well-heeled contributors. Governor, sign this bill and live by it!" Posted by volunteers for Garvey for Governor at http://www.garvey98.org To contact the campaign call 1-888-334-9472 or send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] For web site questions, contact [EMAIL PROTECTED]
