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Those who have been reading the Victoria Advocate, my letters and Mr. John Caldwell’s letters are probably having reservations what the real truth might be and why there are so many varied and conflicting view points.

This letter should answer some of Mr. Caldwell’s comments and pointed questions.

First, because of the newspaper exemplifying me as the president of Victoria Equipment and Supply Co., Inc., it was insinuated that I would benefit from trading with Uranium Energy Corporation, but the truth is that my company supplies oil and gas equipment and services which is a different arena.

At 77 years of age, this “old bull” is going to stay in his own pasture as oil and gas are my real interests.

My 50-plus-year career as a licensed petroleum engineer includes an extensive knowledge of water wells and fluid movement, etc.

Second, as to the Uranium Energy Corporation stock on the American Exchange, the initial offering on the NASDQ exchange was at $6.50 per share and has been as high as $9 a share and as low as $1 or less a share.

As of the date this letter was written, it is $2.47 per share.

This stock has probably gained the interest of quite a few Chinese investors from Vancouver and San Francisco to China, not to mention other savvy foreign and domestic investors, who can foresee a profit based on high uranium prices and the anticipated goods profits forthcoming.

It would be interesting to find out how many investors in Goliad County own this stock.

Other people who hedged corn might have bought certain energy stocks and have made money.

Goliad County could experience a mining boom similar to the California Gold Rush.

Third, there has not been any mention or objection to the expansion at the Coleto Creek Coal Plant, which releases a certain amount of particular matter and C02.

Nor has there been any mention of the tremendous deep Wilcox wells that produce diesel emissions while drilling or any concerns raised about C02 emissions from the gas processing plant.

It is my opinion that long before Uranium Energy Corporation “came to town” local political officials were negative and very vocal against the arrival of this new industry without conferring with affected lease holders and/or constituents with uranium interests.

Is there a hidden majority that has not been polled who would like to receive royalties from their uranium minerals throughout the county? A lot of the adverse publicity is not based on facts, but is a direct attempt to discourage trading (UEC) stock and dry up investment money.

I will gladly accept the invitation to join Mr. Caldwell at the April 26 meeting as I am interested in finding out some answers to several questions, which include the following: 1. Has the Duderstadt water well been sampled, and was there any mud in the sample? 2. Who is paying for the elaborate electronic sign on Navarro Street in Victoria — the county, the lawyers or an individual? 3. How was the “over-whelming majority” polled? 4. Why is the county spending its money to prevent “uranium mining” when landowner and taxpayer rights are not being considered?

Finally, it is my honest opinion that “progress and growth” is inevitable in Goliad County and the surrounding counties and that uranium mining is only one of the challenges that we all face in our nation’s attempt to meet the rapidly depleting energy resources of our country.

The energy crisis we are heading toward is not going to go away overnight, and we should be working together to make sure things are done properly and as environmentally safe as possible and rely on state and government agencies that have been created for the very purpose of safe-guarding our environment by monitoring emissions, water sources, uranium mining procedures, oil and gas drilling and nuclear power plants.

I don’t foresee the inhabitants of Goliad County having to rely on bottled water, the residents of Victoria County having to wear radioactive suits, or the people living around the Coleto Creek Coal plant having to wear breathing apparatus.

Environmental concerns are only going to increase as the demand for new energy sources continues to grow, and it is time to realize that whether we want it to or not our surrounding counties are going to change, and we can either fight it by wasting time and money on a futile battle or we can take steps to make sure that the designated government agencies do their job.

 

Melvin Klotzman is a registered engineer and resident of Victoria but pays taxes in Goliad County.