Geez, it seems like just yesterday that representatives of Portland Pipe Line Corp. told city officials, neighborhood residents and the media that they had no plans to reverse the flow of oil in the pipeline to bring tar sands oil to South Portland.

I quote: “We do not have an active project … in terms of bringing western Canadian crude here,” said David Cyr, treasurer of Portland Pipe Line. “That’s the long and the short of it.” (Portland Daily Sun, Feb. 8, 2012)

Now I read in the Portland Press Herald that Portland Pipe Line’s attorneys are in court, arguing that without permission to reverse the flow, the company will go belly up (“Portland Pipe Line says South Portland’s ban on crude exports threatens its survival,” Jan. 21).

Well, what makes anyone believe their assurances that tar sands oil is no more dangerous than the crude oil they currently process through the facility? They’ve been caught in a bald-faced lie, and they think we’re all too stupid to see it?

So now they’ve gone to court thinking we’ve forgotten their previous statements. They use the age-old strategy of big money, lawyers and threats to manipulate and mislead the citizens and civic leaders of South Portland.

City officials and residents have the right to determine what comes into their city, especially when dealing with a corporation that’s been less than upfront and truthful.

Remember the adage “Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me.” They’ve lied in the past and will do so in the future.

One final thing: If they do go belly up, let’s make sure they don’t saddle the taxpayers of Maine with the cost of removing their tanks and infrastructure. Liars have a habit of sneaking out of town without paying their bill and leaving others to clean up the mess.

Randy Wakefield

Portland