News Leader News for December 11, 2006
TOWN COUNCIL FACES COAL-FIRE FALLOUT
Town Council faced 34 Similkameen Valley residents steamed up over the prospect of a coal-fired thermal power plant coming to the Princeton area. A delegation led by Solana Allison-Hopfner presented the opposition point of view regarding Compliance Energy's proposal to construct a 56 megawatt thermal power plant fueled by wood and coal.
Ernie Lawrence, of Princeton, was first to speak and compared the danger of mercury fallout from the plant to mercury dumped in English River by pulp mills. He cited the neurological damage done to residents of Grassy Narrows, and the destruction of their commercial fishing industry. He stated the fish in English River are still contaminated, and animals eating fish are contaminated.
Solana Allison-Hopfner told Council Princeton will grow, and residents must make choices as to what kind of development they want. She referred to the interlocking boards of directors of Compliance and Imperial Metals, and cited environmental pollutants from Imperial's Huckleberry Mine going into the Nechako River. She said lack of controls over these operations could sentence our children to "corporate feudalism". She urged Council to look at who they are doing business with.
The next speaker was Alicia McKay representing a local environmental youth group. She made an impassioned plea, speaking of the split in the community. She spoke of ruined property values, trees destroyed by pollutants, and sick children. The objective was marred by warnings of doomsday extremes.
Leigh McFadyen, an organic farmer from the South Similkameen, made her case in well-considered terms and left Council with documentation to support what she said. She reminded Council that 40 percent of South Similkameen agriculture is organic, and people see it as healthy. People would tend to see it as less desirable if they thought mercury fallout was contaminating the soil. Her major concern is ground level ozone, entirely probable in the Similkameen Valley, where the air flow can be inverted.
The air path of smoke from last summer's forest fires was a further reminder of the path pollutants would follow from a thermal power plant.
Brad Hope spoke on information he had learned about the Alberta power plants three Councillors had visited as guests of Compliance Energy. He said their best plant was the sixth most polluting in Canada and did not have the latest technology, as Council had been told. He quoted a statement from Epicor President Doug Topping (Epicor owns Genesse) who stated Genesse did not have the latest technology. He demanded a retraction from Council.
Mayor Randy McLean said Council is trying to do the best it can for the town and can listen to what people feel before making a decision. He thanked them for presenting their thoughts.
It was clear Councillors who went to Alberta felt they were under fire. Councillors Pam Jones and Ray Jarvis took the opportunity to talk back.
Councillor Jones told them Council had requested a full environmental impact study. She went on to explain why she had gone to Alberta, saying she had to see the plants for herself, and had lost two days' pay by going.
Councillor Jarvis was far more aggressive in his response. He told the audience point blank that he did not like the "scare tactics" and some of the statements did not add up. He went on to say the Alberta power plants had been there 50 years and the people living around the plants are not sick.
At the end of the meeting, Monty Raine asked Council to request an objective environmental impact report by qualified persons. Jerry Wilkins, of Hedley, told Council he belongs to a group who are already taking action to assess probable emissions.
SINGERS SHARE THE SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS
The giving spirit of the Christmas season was evident as local musicians and vocalists shared their talents at the 23rd annual Community Christmas Songfest. The generosity of talent was enhanced by the beautifully decorated Baptist Church. In return, the audience gave goods and cash to the Christmas hamper campaign.Ernie Lawrence was his usual jolly self, wearing his favourite bright green shirt with a red and white tie. This year, he added a green plush hat.
Karen Smart played the piano to accompany the Christmas carols shown on the overhead stage. The songfest opened with Joy to the World.
The screen proved to be an asset to the audience as Princeton Community Band opened the evening's performances. As the band played Christmas Swing and Nutcracker Rock, photos of their float in Vancouver's Santa Claus parade were flashed on the screen.
The next performance was a hoot. The Junior Choir sang a song about cats and mice waiting for Christmas, then went into a song about Christmas not being the time to diet. The song included such lyrics as "dashing through the mashed potatoes" and "O tidings of tuna and cheese."
Pastor Tony Essex read the account of the birth of Jesus, "the reason for the season".
Celtic Spirit, a group featuring Karen Smart on flute, Evan Esdale on violin, Cullen Smart on guitar and Al Baron on accordion, played Deck the Halls and Christmas in Killarney, which had everyone clapping the beat and tapping their toes.
John Bosomworth, making the grand piano talk his language, put Christmas carols in a new perspective with his jazz renditions of Christmas songs.
The Senior Choir from the Baptist Church, led by Laurie Thomas, sang Joy to the World and Silent Night in non-traditional style.
Laurie Thomas was the first solo, and she reminded everyone to reach out to somebody who is lonely and make Christmas brighter for them, illustrating the message with the song Light a Candle.
Mike Leiding sang O What a Beautiful Name. Esther Donovan followed with O Holy Night, thrilling the audience with her amazing voice.
The final solo performance was by Daniel, who played guitar and sang his own composition which ended "Thank God it's Christmas again".
Performances were interspersed with audience participation Christmas songs.
Ernie Lawrence insisted on having everyone go through the paces of the Twelve Days of Christmas, which is always a lot of fun. The evening ended with thanks all around and a hearty rendition by everyone of "We Wish You a Merry Christmas."
CHURCH OFFERS CHRISTMAS DINNER
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St. Paul's United / St. Cuthbert's Anglican Church, along with Princeton Crisis Assistance Society, will host their fourth annual Christmas Dinner.
The dinner will begin at 5:30 PM on Saturday, December 16th. There is no charge for dinner.
"We are able to continue this tradition through the many generous donations we receive," say organizers.
Tickets are not available for the event, all you have to do is show up and bring a friend or two!
The evening will include dinner, entertainment and singing.
The Christmas Dinner will be served at the Christian Education Centre (the United Church Hall) located behind the church.
"This will be a wonderful opportunity to meet Diane Robinson, our student Minister and with a little persuasion she has agreed to play some carols on the piano and to mingle with our friends."
Shirley Hill of the Outreach Committee of St. Paul's United Church along with volunteers from the church, Princeton Crisis Assistance Society and other generous donors within the community are responsible for this wonderful, giving program.
To find out more about the dinner or how you may be able to help, contact Carol at (250) 295-6881 (Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays) or (250) 295-7891 anytime.
