Letter by Craig Pryor, Manager Valemount Community Forest

There is no question that there are conflicts of interest on the Valemount Community Forest (VCF) board.  I believe that we are diligent that in cases of conflict board members leave the room for the topic.  …There has been a conflict of interest since I have been here but we are making it work efficiently and openly.  We have had three different mayors, many different board members, councillors and Village staff on the board over my 6 years at this position and not once have I had a specific complaint of conflict of interest.  An operation like ours needs a wide range of talented people on its board including mill specialists, loggers and forestry professionals. …If you take these people away, who have conflict of interest, you would have a board comprised of people that lack the knowledge and experience to make proper decisions.