LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
- January 23, 2007
To The Editor;
I'm glad that Karin Green likes my ideas about low-impact renewable energy in the Similkameen Valley. I am curious what study she is quoting when she says that the valley is not deemed suitable for wind or solar power. Our Chamber of Commerce proudly states that the area receives over 2,000 hours of sunshine per year. Areas that receive less have come up with innovative ways to encourage solar power. Although Princeton does not have steady wind, Keremeos certainly does. There is also reliable wind in the mountains behind Hedley with access to power lines running to Apex Resort.
Don't worry Karin; your Tulameen River is not suitable for a Run of the River project because the gradient is too low. Micro hydro projects are best suited to streams coming out of the mountains where it is possible to get an acceptable drop or head in a relatively short distance, and have access to the grid. The impact of these projects is low with a small pipe used to divert water flow through a turbine housed in a small building with power lines tied into the grid. These power lines would be no larger than those seen in an average neighbourhood.
I have no problem with Compliance taking financial risks with their own money. The risks are low given the long-term contract they've signed with BC Hydro. If Compliance gets approval for this project they would be able to easily get financing, or sell the entire project to another company. The risks I'm concerned about have been well discussed: the financial (i.e. potential lower property values and crop damage), environmental and the health of people in the Similkameen Valley. John Tapics doesn't live in our valley and so he doesn't share these risks.
Another risk that I'm concerned about is the release of greenhouse gasses from this proposed plant and its contribution to global climate change. A recent survey quoted in both local papers found that 82 percent of British Columbians are concerned about global climate change and want the government to act to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In addition, 98 percent of those surveyed wanted the government to encourage renewable energy production.
The question is, will the Similkameen Valley be part of the problem or part of the solution?
- Dan Pippin, Princeton
Sir; In response to Karin Green's letter of January 16th.
Dan Pippin's well-researched and clearly stated letter of January 8th should have answered many of the questions you said you still had on the issue of coal-fired industry in our region. Instead it generated a vitriolic and highly biased response. In previous letters on this subject, you indicated that you own personal and rental property locally.
Don't you realize what will happen to your property values if the water quality or air quality of the Princeton area are compromised because of a coal-burning industry in our region? Your support of a polluting industry in your own back-yard is like shooting yourself in the foot.
You sound more like an employee or lackey of Compliance Energy Corp. than like a local business person hoping to retire here.
If the coal-fired energy plant goes through, what's in it for you?
I moved to Princeton hoping to retire after a life of hard work. I will not be purchasing property or retiring here if I am afraid to have my grandchildren visit because of pollution. In other words, if the plant goes through, I'm gone, and all of my business and my money. I have talked to others in this community who feel the same way.
NO COAL!
- Ann Hughes, Princeton
To The Editor;
Open Letter to the Honourable John Baird, Minister of the Environment Dear Mr. Baird,
I listened with great interest to your recent radio interview outlining your Government's commitment to a clean air/clean environment policy.
During this interview you announced the closure of the Mississauga coal burning plant which you stated as being the major cause of smog in the Greater Toronto area. (Closure will help reduce the 280 million tons of coal burning emissions Canada produces annually). I understand Ontario is committed to closure of all coal burning power plants which I am sure you support.
By now you will be familiar with the varying energy policies of different Provincial Governments. These policies were created no doubt in good faith, to be economically advantageous and to ensure ongoing energy into the 21st century.
We are all now too well aware that energy extraction from fossil fuels and other non renewable resources comes at a terrible price to both over immediate and long term health and survival.
You will likely have been informed of the B.C. Government's ongoing consideration of coal burning power plants to supply our Provincial needs for electricity. One of these plants would be situated near Princeton, B.C. assuming Provincial and Federal concerns and requirements were met.
You may not be aware that Princeton is situated at the west side of the Similkameen/Okanagan Valley complex and at the East side of Manning Park (a Treasured Provincial Park). Both of these areas are dependent on clean air. The Similkameen/Okanagan complex for its Vineyards, Orchards, Pasture land and Manning Park as a respected ecosystem visited by thousands of appreciative visitors each year.
Up to this time there has been no firm public statement rejecting a coal-fired burner in Princeton by the B.C. Government despite the very high levels of public concern surrounding this issue.
During your radio interview as the new Minister of the Environment you expressed the view that a clean environment was not only your main priority but that you had no problems with working closely with all Federal and Provincial Parties to achieve these goals for all Canadians.
I would respectfully ask you to confer with your colleagues both federally and provincially over this extremely important issue, which has not only local but national and global ramifications. Yours truly,
Dr. John Adams, Princeton
To The Editor;
I found Dawn Johnson's article "Look at history's lies" of January 16, 2007 very interesting. I can agree with her regarding the lack of true historical events being taught in our educational system. The current distortion of facts is getting worse in our schools and governments.
I would like to add some true facts about my Grandfather many generations back encountering the many tribes of Indians on the St. Lawrence River as documented in the History of the Richards Family and kept in the Library in London, Ontario.
This was copied from the archives and is recorded as follows, - John Richards, a Welshman went to France, married a French lady and became one of the King's Guards for Louis the 14th. He was shot on Saint Bartholomew's Day on August 24, 1572, while helping the King and Royal Family escape the massacre of Protestants.
The eldest of his ten children was 18 years of age and was conscripted into the French Army and sent with troops to fight the Indians in this country. They established themselves from the mouth of the St. Lawrence River to the mouth of the
Mississipi which was all a real wilderness. This gave the Indians a great advantage in their mode of warfare shooting with bows and arrows from behind trees with very few trails to follow.
The Sioux Indians were a warlike tribe and gave the French Army lots of trouble. John Richards the 2nd was wounded with a ball and 3 buck shots in his thigh. He was taken by the Indians who fled with their French Prisoners. They were met by the Indian Chief and his daughter. They held a council to determine how to dispose of these Soldiers. The Chief's son had been killed by the French that day so the young Chieftess begged for the life of young John.
She said she would cure him and adopt him as her brother. The Chief said he would be too much trouble to them but finally consented. John Richards the 2nd had the shots removed but carried the bullet to his grave. He was kept Prisoner for 3 years, learned three different languages and lived as they did, wandering far to the West. Then the head Chief called a Council of all the different tribes who came together from other parts of the country to discuss a War. This required a big Feast so they killed off most of their dogs for the entertainment. For three days and nights they ate, drank, sang and danced but always kept a watch on John.
The Squaws became weary and finally the last one fell asleep. When she snored John said, "It's now or never." He crawled out and fled in the full moon in June. expecting the sleeping dogs to give the alarm. In a short time he heard the gunfire but ran as fast as he could. As the day dawned he expected the Tribes would pursue him so he climbed into a hollow tree.
He hid by day and ran by night guided by the sun, moon and stars. He lived on roots and leaves, fording rivers, climbing mountains for six weeks, heading East where he knew there were white people. He finally reached a Dutch Settlement at a place called Scoharria where they spoke Dutch. Between French, Dutch and broken English he couldn't speak any correctly. He moved on to where there was a British Colony. He found the people were kind and sympathetic and made his home among them. He became acquainted with a widow, married and had five children.
Later another difficulty arose when the war between England and the Colonies broke out. John Richards the 2nd adhered to the British Standards and joined the Army as a Lieutenant Officer. His wife had to flee for safety to take refuge in Sarell, Lower Canada. It was a journey of 700 miles on foot, carrying one child in her arms and leading another by the hand.
The 3rd Generation Grandfather, Owen Richards, joined the Army and his property was confiscated. At the end of the seven years war the United Empire Loyalists settled in Nova Scotia or the wilds of Upper Canada. He chose to live in the latter where he drew land and received a pension. Owen became an Indian Interpreter and kept the Indian store for 3 years.
He then settled in Fredericksburg where John Richards the 4th was born November 5, 1790. He was in his 86th year in 1876 when he wrote this family history. That was only 9 years after the BNA Act was brought back from England by Sir John A. MacDonald when there was only Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Quebec and Upper Canada in this Colony of the British Empire.
Canada now consists of 10 Provinces and 2 Territories. The truth is that Canada is still a Colony with a Governor General as the Queen's representative. The B.N.A. Act is not Canada's Constitution but was drafted to give the Provinces the power to establish a Central Government and print money so there was no need to tax the Citizens. Canada is not a Federation yet the de facto government in Ottawa is called "The Federal Government."
The lies and deceit continue by the Politicians and the Judicial System. I trust that this information will wake up the readers who have been deceived.
- Kay Hardy, Princeton
