"FARE continues to do important work for the people of Port Hope," John Miller wrote in an open letter. "But the organization cannot allow the actions of any individual member to compromise it. Unfortunately, that happened this past week." On November 13, an announcement in by the Toronto-based Uranium Medical Research Centre (UMRC) and Port Hope Health Concerns Committee that a study of nine Port Hope residents showed some level of uranium contamination has sparked strong public reaction in the municipality. "The hostile reaction of a portion of our community to the events of the past few days has been directed largely against FARE. This reaction is misdirected. FARE did not see or endorse the research before it was released, it played no part in its design or implementation, and it had no role in releasing it to the media on Nov. 13," stated Mr. Miller. He did state in the letter that FARE provided $800 towards the cost of the $11,000 study. Previously, Mr. Miller said he had been asked by the health concerns committee to orchestrate the release of the study information because of the university professor's journalism "connections." Calls to Mr. Miller Tuesday were not returned. "We regret the fact that John Miller has tendered his resignation and is no longer president or a director, caused by the events of last week," said FARE treasurer Ian Angus. "The way things played out, FARE became implicated in something we were not involved in." But Mr. Angus said he is appalled at the inadequacy of the so-called report that UMRC presented and FARE wants answers. "A lot of people are upset with this report - for a very good reason," Mr. Angus said. "And we all deserve an explanation." Ignoring the matter isn't the answer either and Mr. Angus suggested the municipality needs to demonstrate some leadership that's been in short supply over the last few years.

"If they care, they need to look for a final solution to rid this community of the stigma," said Mr. Angus. "We owe it to ourselves to get that done. "To have a comprehensive study done should once and for all end the questions," Mr. Angus said. "The PHHCC had their heart in the right place." UMRC needs to be placed under a microscope, according to Mr. Angus. "We want an explanation and transparency," he said. "I'm appalled that the UMRC has refused to come to Port Hope to explain. FARE has a lot of very pointed questions to ask." Faye More, chair of the health concerns committee, said Tuesday that a public information session planned for Thursday in Port Hope with the UMRC to further explain the study results, was cancelled due to the atmosphere in the municipality. "The current climate in Port Hope is not conducive to bringing people together this week," said Ms. More. "When feelings are running so high, this is not the time to be talking science and medicine."

For similar reasons, FARE has called off a public forum Saturday when Dr. Stan Blecher of the University of Guelph was to discuss uranium and genes. among other related issues.