News Leader News for March 6, 2007
MAYOR RANDY McLEAN THANKS 'THE TROOPS'
When Dr. David Suzuki spoke to a full PSS gym on February 26th, Princeton Mayor Randy McLean took the opportunity to use his introduction of the guest speaker to thank the many people who stood up for the Similkameen and it's environment when it was threatened by a proposed coal-fired power generation plant.
We have reprinted his 'speech' in it's entirety:
Today is a day of celebration, a day to revel in the advent of having a national and internationally acclaimed warrior for our environment visiting our community.
If you would permit me to return to that fact in a moment, I would like to address the other cause for celebration today.
Having Dr. Suzuki in our midst illustrates the battle that we have won for our community and for our province. There are so many people here today who answered the call when our well being was threatened.
Over a year and a half ago Brad Hope, my son Michael and I met with the President of Compliance Coal and discovered the inferior process that was proposed. From that day forward those two have been religiously and relentlessly encouraging myself and others to not give up the fight.
The SOS group was formed by a small group of dedicated volunteers who worked tirelessly with Keremeos to spread the message.
Mary, John Henry, Ernie, Robert, Solana, Ann, Dan, Lee, Jerry, Sonja and so many others, you have succeeded and we salute you.
George and Brenda Elliott you took a stand and you saw it through, you are people of moral conviction and you should be proud.
Dr. John Bosomworth, in his letter on behalf of all the doctors, and the other letters from the 'docs' were huge. They will never know how much of a boost that was at such a critical juncture.
We were supported early on by the Mayors of the South Okanagan Similkameen, many of whom are here today. These Mayors and other Directors of the RDOS, led by Chair Dan Ashton, supported us and submitted a resolution for a moratorium which passed unanimously at UBCM.
Finally I would like to recognize Chief Joe Dennis of the Lower Similkameen Band who stood with us. I remember the day he said 'When we are all lying in front of the construction trucks, does it really matter what colour we are?'
I knew Barney Allison and I knew John Terbasket, highly respected Chiefs of the past and the Band should be proud. You have a man of conviction.
We also owe great thanks to the Elders and members of the Bands. Joe often said 'I don't know what they will do to me if we don't win.'
Years from now technology will detail all the disastrous effects we would have suffered had this process gone forward.
So for all the people who did the research, who formed the committees, who manned the office and wrote the letters, today we celebrate you.
From the early days of this conflict, standing with us at a rally on a Kitsilano Beach Park, to the pledging of whatever help his foundation could provide, including this appearance today, this man who has on his plate environmental concerns across Canada and around the world was there when the South Okanagan Similkameen needed him.
When you look up his resume on the internet you are able to choose from twelve pages of awards and accomplishments. From the Order of Canada and BC to eighteen different University Doctorates to the fact he has been given six different names by First Nations in his honour.
As you can imagine you have a hell of a fighter in your corner, when he comes to your aid you can be assured of two things: #1 - You are right and #2 - The force is with you.
Ladies and gentlemen I am standing in front of a man who has been fighting his whole life the cause Al Gore has recently undertaken.
Won't you please help me welcome a true Canadian hero, Dr. David Suzuki...
SUZUKI FILLS SCHOOL GYMNASIUM
Famous Canadian scientist Dr. David Suzuki created quite a stir in Princeton February 26th when he stopped in the Similkameen community as part of his cross-country tour.Princeton was the 36th of 41 stops in his 'What Would You Do If You Were Prime Minister?' Tour and he was met with a standing room only crowd of well over 800 packed in the Princeton Secondary School gym to hear a short presentation.
The event, co-sponsored by Save Our Similkameen and Friends of the Similkameen started with a traditional blessing from members of the Lower Similkameen Indian Band and a welcome from Princeton Mayor Randy McLean.
McLean thanked many groups and individuals for their role in making the proposed coal-fired plant the focus of attention for many months.
"You have succeeded and we salute you."
Suzuki pushed the need for voters to press candidates at election time to pay attention to environmental issues. He suggested voters ask questions point blank about what candidates and their parties plan to do about such items as greenhouse gas emissions.
"We've put it on the agenda and we've got to keep it on the agenda."
Suzuki also pointed out this generation will be making decisions that will affect future generations and that those decisions should be made "to get us on a sustainable path."
He told the crowd that it was in 1962 when he started to change how he viewed the world around him. Two books 'The Silent Spring' by Rachel Carson and 'Population Bomb' by Paul Ehrlich deeply influenced his thinking.
Suzuki touched on clear cut logging and the destruction humans have caused all over the planet saying there is nowhere on Earth one can go today to avoid toxic waste debris.
"How did we arrive at this moment?"
Suzuki said life appeared on Earth 3.9-billion years ago and humans appeared 150,000 years ago in Africa. He described what the world would have been like at that time without pollution and waste.
"What happened to allow that animal out of Africa to rule the planet?"
He had a simple answer with complex consequences.
"Our brain made us very curious and creative. It was a gift that allowed us to invent the idea of a future which does not exist as only 'now' exists."
Suzuki said foresight is what has taken us to our current circumstances.
"Ever since World War Two we acquired an amazing appetite for stuff. We like to shop. We are consumers and our job is to keep the economy going by buying stuff. And boy, do we like to shop for stuff."
Suzuki was leading to a strong point.
"All that stuff comes out of the Earth and when we're done with it we throw that stuff away as garbage. We've become a very destructive creature because of our consumptive appetite."
His focus then shifted to the issue of global warming.
"It threatens the survival of our species. Global warming represents a threat second only to nuclear war."
Suzuki also stated, "If we don't do anything we will destroy the economy. We've got no choice."
He asked why governments don't ask industry to make the same cuts and reductions that taxpayers are expected to make. He tossed out the term 'voluntary compliance.'
"Voluntary compliance never works. You've got to make them do it."
This led Suzuki onto the topic of his Nature Challenge Program, which outlines ten ways, each and every Canadian can make a difference in environmental issues. He says over a quarter million Canadians have already signed up to the program to make at least three of the ten changes in their lives.
"The good news is there is a lot of good news. The bad news is that our leaders don't seem to be interested. They want to keep doing things the same old way."
Suzuki said the Okanagan Similkameen region is a beautiful place to live and that on the local level the time is now to ask the question 'What is it about our community we love?'
"You make a commitment now then you look ahead."
His goal is sustainability within a generation.
"Begin the visioning process now."
FALL FAIR CONVENORS TAKE CHARGE
Fall Fair members stepped forward at the February 27 meeting to take charge of the various convenor jobs for this year's fair on September 8 and 9.Jason Earle will run the pet show. Glow Lemon will organize livestock. April Earle will plan activities for children.
Melissa Manning volunteered to look after the flower show.
Brian Ferguson will organize photography, writing and the People's Choice art show.
Cheryl Ferguson and Faye Clarke will convene the needlework exhibits.
Rose Flegel will take charge of home canning.
Dan Kastor will once again run the horseshoe tournament.
Jody Woodford and her excellent crew have volunteered to do the concession again this year.
Lisa Carleton has said she will run the Junior Fair again. Convenors still needed
Convenors are still needed for fruit and vegetable divisions, beer garden, admission gate, leisurecraft, beer and wine, and eggs and field crops.
Ruby Bey volunteered to find sponsors, and she will work with Glow Lemon and Dawn Johnson to compile and organize publication of the Fall Fair prize list booklet.
Anyone wishing to help with the fair should attend the Tuesday, March 27 meeting at Town Hall at 7:00 PM.
