Mark Anderson, operations supervisor overseeing Geokinetics work in the province, spoke to The Purple Violet Press via telephone from his office in Calgary today, about reports of equipment damage and physical assaults on the company's seismic testing staff in New Brunswick.
"There has been a lot of damage to equipment and assaults on people," he said.
Anderson went on to say one theft complaint was filed by Geokinetics, (resulting in the arrest of Simon Nash from Durham last week with a subsequent court appearance Monday), and two assault complaints have been filed, which have yet to reach court.
RCMP media relations officer, Cpl Yann Audoux said today he had no information on the matter in his office because nothing has been forwarded. He added it's not RCMP policy to comment on whether an investigation is taking place until charges are laid. If and when charges come about, the media relations office is notified and a statement is released at that time.
"I have nothing on that...we cannot confirm or deny whether any investigations are taking place; it's policy. But if there are charges, a statement will be on our website," he said.
"I have nothing on that...we cannot confirm or deny whether any investigations are taking place; it's policy. But if there are charges, a statement will be on our website," he said.
Describing the assaults in an angry tone, Anderson said Geokinetics staff have put up with a variety of physical violence including, "...people spitting at them, having beer bottles thrown at them, and one was punched in the face," he said.
He also said most of these employees enduring this treatment are New Brunswick residents just trying to do their jobs.
"They don't deserve it. They are just young guys from there trying to make a living," he said.
Anderson said he was reluctant to talk to our publication because of the negative media coverage towards Geokinetics and SWN in the province.
"I've seen some things sent to me from down there and find it biased and unfair coverage," he said.
He added no other media from the province has contacted him on the issue nor does he have a desire to speak to them.
"I've just about had it," he said.
How scary! Im just shaking in by boots.LOL
ReplyDeleteI wonder how many NB workers were hired by Geokinetics. A member of the crew laying out geophone equipment in the Taymouth area told one local resident that most of the crew were from Cape Breton.
ReplyDeleteOne person, known to the police, has been charged with vandalism (of course innocent until provien guilty). I am sure there are people known to the police in every region Geokinetics works in, who are potential a source of risk.
One guy is just doing his job, one company is just doing their job. Then another, and another. Next thing we have a full blown poisonous industrial landscape on our hands! An old friend just came back from Alberta & said he bragged to his buddies how pristine NB is, then comes back to this shit! Lets stop it at the start! Much easier than cleaning at the end! Sorry guy just doing your job.
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