AN ODE TO MICHAEL PURVES-SMITH

In this week's Woolwich Observer, Editor Steve Kannon has written an excellent ode or eulogy to Michael Purves-Smith titled "Elmira activist still had a long to-do list before losing battle with cancer".

I really only got to know Michael through his initial opposition to the proposed Elmira Bio-En facility and then later when he sat on that public committee which I attended for a year or two. Also I purchased his first book "Rocky Mountain Locust" on a recommendation from a friend and then eagerly sought out his second book in the series. I was ready and keen to buy any third book that might have been forthcoming but alas it was not to be so.

Michael was always well informed and always the gentleman. While in hindsight our local biogas facility has proven to be well run, perhaps the initial strong opposition may have helped convince the proponents to go first class on the safety and environmental aspects. I don't know that for sure but can advise that barely a week ago I received a phone call from a gentleman suffering the odour effects of a biogas facility here in Ontario that is not well run or perhaps initially built to the highest standards.

Steve Kannon describes the epidemic of cancer cases in Canada and Ontario and possible causes for them especially the environmental ones. He describes Michael well as being keenly interested in the environment and how humankind has caused such damage to it. That said Steve also indicates that he, Steve, has a pessimistic belief in humanity's future whereas Michael, at heart, felt that mankind would smarten up and turn things around. This is one of those cases in which I share Steve's outlook on the future but sincerely hope that I am wrong and Michael is correct.