You can read my take on the Jesse Morrow Mountain mining proposal here.

But Michael J. Donahue, a retired environmental supervisor for Caltrans, says my "thumbnail analysis" of the proposed aggregate quarry in eastern Fresno County "serves to give a one-sided view of the proposal and does the public, decision makers, project proponents and the Indian community a disservice."

Here is his complete e-mail:

"I worked in land development for Fresno County for 17 years and worked as an environmental supervisor for Caltrans on the 168 urban freeway project, the 180 Urban freeway project and the 41 Rural Expressway project. I'm retired and the following comments reflect my personal opinions.

"I would like to believe that I could read the proposal with the mitigation (conditions of approval) and performance standards outlined in the California Surface Mining and Reclamation Act and make an informed decision as the Board of Supervisors will.

"There are no known burial sites on the mountain to my knowledge and if the site can't be mined with proper visual and other mitigation (conditions) it won't be approved. I really think your thumbnail analysis serves to give a one-sided view of the proposal and does the public, decision makers, project proponents and the Indian community a disservice.

"I realize you have limited time to write your articles, cost cutting in newspapers is rampant, readership is going down, you want to catch the readers eye with a cause, etc, but doesn't the writer have to have some personal integrity. A few phone calls to the parties could of presented a more balance editorial. The inferred Mexico company bashing and the inability of the Board of Supervisors to protect the environmental resources is a personal affront to me.

"I challenge you to print this e-mail unedited as a letter to the editor. This is my first correspondence to the Fresno Bee."