Haliburton - watching the skies

Click on the image to see more!

Our recent trip back to Muskoka, to recover things the movers left behind, meant a trip through Haliburton. The skies were amazing.


Skies, even in the murals.

Our white rental van - OPP stopped us to check us out! We were cleared...

The town was dressed for fall.

We met the local Green Party candidate, who knows our S-I-L, Jean-Luc Cooke, a Federal Green Party candidate!

Haliburton - Kawartha Lakes - Brock | Green Party of Canada

Susanne Lauten is a retired small business owner who's been a three-season resident of Haliburton County for the past fifteen years

Nepean - Carleton | Green Party of Canada

Jean-Luc intends to become one of the first Green members of Parliament in parliament... Jean-Luc Cooke is the nominated candidate for the Green Party of Canada for Nepean-Carleton.

Bala Falls Hydro Project Misinformation part 16

Bala Falls

Karen McGhee has had to resort to sending out information, as well as writing letters to the editor,(p. 7) in order to clear up lies and myths surrounding this project.  While property prices are falling on the Moon River, due to rumours being spread, and fearmongering by the public, the economy will suffer. Rumours, such as the dam depleting fish stock on the river. (As if!) (Download the 2009 Fish Stocking List by clicking here. PDF)

Building on Moon River

Or that the falls will be 'a trickle', as if this will be good hydro dam management and produce power!

We visit Bala businesses as much as possible. We choose to eat here in town, shop when we can, but those visiting the falls, bringing picnic lunches, are not necessarily shopping here or giving any stores their business. The project is set to begin after Cranfest, when many stores are closed if not full-time, then weekdays.

I am so shocked at the attitudes of locals, as many businesses depend upon having a clean environment. This project could bring an added boost to a small, dying little town. Instead, locals are getting fired up, and cluttering a beautiful town with signs.

South Falls

Moon River runs to Georgian Bay, and while pollutants from 2-stroke engines continue to fall into it, the fish population is still healthy and will not be impacted by recreating and rebuilding the hydro dam.

Most of the local politicians have been publicly silent on this issue. It is only recently:

MOOSE FM 99.5 EXCLUSIVE: Muskoka Lakes Councillor Supports Bala Falls Proposal

www.moosefm.com

And amongst my friends, many are silent, too, fearing the wrath of the strident, vocal opponents.

Yet, Ontarians elected a premier whose platform included Green Energy. It is up to all of us to do our part, however small.  A Green Energy Act for Ontario: Executive Summary (PDF)

From Karen:
There have been a few developments in the project over the last couple months, that I would like to update you on, namely the following:

1.       The Ministry of Environment officially started its review of Swift River Energy Limited’s Environmental Screening Report in late July. SREL are anxiously awaiting its comments and decision.

2.       Swift River Energy has retained the economic experts at the Centre for Spatial Economics (C4SE) to complete an economic impact study of the potential impacts to the local businesses and economy for both the 12-18 month construction period and the long term operations, in response to a request from the Township and local businesses.  This work was started in early August and we are hoping to get a final report by the end of September.

3.       The Township of Muskoka Lakes presented its comments on SREL’s responses to its elevation request.  We were pleased that the vast majority of the concerns were considered to be sufficiently addressed.  The remaining handful of issues will be discussed fully in a written response by SREL and Hatch Energy’s Professional Engineers and Scientists by the end of this week.  SREL, in the meantime, will be addressing some of the more troubling comments made by Township staff and Council at the regularly scheduled Council meeting on Tuesday August 24th.  It is hoped that all misinterpretations and remaining concerns can be cleared up during that meeting and the upcoming response report.

Swimming at Bala Falls

It has also come to our attention that there has been some of the misinformation circulating about our project, and has resulted in some unsubstantiated fears and speculation by the community.  SREL has prepared the attached briefing notes for community leaders such as yourself, to provide you with some of the facts about the project.  We hope that this document will help in you in any discussions you may have with interested parties.  However, please remember that I am available to answer specific concerns at this email or by phone (provided below) and our website provides a multitude of  information about the project and the regulatory process we are currently following.  

Meanwhile, throughout the province there has been increased interest and media cover with respect to the provincial electricity grid and the impacts of the Green Energy Act that was passed last year.  I have provided the following links of various Toronto Star articles for your information if you are interested.  In addition, John Spears, wrote 3 great articles on the Ontario electricity sector or August 7th/10:

Bridge jumping above the falls

• Replace nuclear plant with green power. 
• Not typically a surplus in Ontario. 
• Smog Alerts and Coal.  

Regards,
Swift River Energy Limited (SREL)

Karen McGhee, P.Eng.
Bala Project Manager
p:  905-331-9692

Green Party Convention 2010

I attended the Green Party Convention - virtually.

It was an interesting in watching a fairly young party from this end of things. My son-in-law, Nepean-Carleton Green Party candidate Jean-Luc Cooke - AKA 'Papa', left us in Muskoka on Friday, while we helped looked after kids and had some fun watching the action live.

A combination of blogging, texting, and live feeds, let us read other's opinions on the whole event, while we discussed the issues. Some of the messages were fair-minded, others trite and not so politically savvy. Greens are developing a more rich identity, while preparing for the next election.

It was an interesting couple of days with Greens applying modern day technology to the conference.

Having attended my fair share of AGMs, the live feed was interesting. I think it transparent of the party to do this in such a public forum. I found it greatly interesting, having participated in my share of meetings, executive meetings, councils and elections in my working career.

It is a healthy process to examine policy and revise beliefs.
Some comments were just plain silly! Every party has those folks. It is a matter of education in the rules of the floor. Harnessing passion, while following protocol and moving forward in a limited time. Certainly, the workshops at the Conference would have been helpful to newbies! Many experienced political animals represented the party well, contributing to the discussion and the process.

Jack Lock, on his blog, said,  "The Green Party’s unconventional convention this weekend is fraught with procedural abnormalities."

The Green Party is trying to sort out new policy and procedures of the new millennium. Progress is being made as experienced members educate the newbies. Time will tell.

Here is the tweet I sent re: one Deputy Leader:

jennjilks Georges Laraques: moving speech, sans notes #GPC#cdnpoli http://bit.ly/94kgEy  

What a wonderful, bilingual addition to the party! Eloquent, well-spoken, and passionate, many agree.

jaymini:  #GPC Deputy Leader George Laraque addressing the crowd at Toronto 2010 convention. http://tweetphoto.com/40568629 [via Twitter]

Here are some of the tweets I read:

MikeSchreiner: 

#GPC National Convention closes with members engaged, active and ready to elect Greens. #TO2010 #gpo

ChrisInKW:  RT @kady: agreed! so much more fun than being there! RT@ottguy: The Sun's @laura_payton does deserve lots of credit for cvrge of the#gpc convntion

Laura Payton, journalist, was tweeting the whole time.

meyer4mobile:  RT @stephen_taylor: RT @kady: agreed! so much more fun than being there! RT @ottguy: Sun's @laura_payton does deserve lots of credit for cvrge of the #gpc conv [via Twitter]

Ken_Donnelly: 

Agreed! RT @ottguy: The Sun's @laura_payton does deserve lots of credit for coverage of the #gpc convention this weekend. #cdnpoli [via Twitter]

Jean-Luc Cooke - candidate: Nepean-Carleton

scbritton:  @stephen_young the #cpc, #lpc, even the fringe #ndp haven't ever considered anything that outlandish; just #gpc. At least they voted it down [via Twitter]

Amazing that the spotlight has shone so brightly on them, highlighted by Elizabeth May's performance in the debate lo these many years ago - well done.


"'A star is born' in Elizabeth May: pollster - The Globe and Mail"

Stephen Taylor: Debate leaves Harper ahead, May strengthened, Dion ...

3 Oct 2008 ... Elizabeth May surprised last night as she was the most sober of the ..... a "passionate performance"?

Jean-Luc Cooke in Nepean-Carleton

She gave a lot of credibility to the Canada's Greens, having gone into the debate with pretty low expectations for her performance. She truly has highlighted Greens in Canada. 


Elizabeth May garnered much difficult discussion and debate during the last election, as well. It was when she chose to side with the Liberals, and endorsed strategic voting to keep the conservatives out. 


We attended her whistle stop in Parry Sound back in Sept., 2008. This was a powerful moment in my mind. She leapt off of the train and spoke in heart-fel manner to those who had waited for hours for this historic moment. But all is not perfect in the party.

Elizabeth May making a point

"The support amongst the membership of the Green party is strong for Elizabeth, but there's also some interest to see us go to a leadership race," Streicker told Yukon radio station CHON."


As one person wrote: "She's also sold her soul to Stephane Dion, something with her LONGTERM party faithful are VERY upset with."


All parties have internal politics, as many of us know. Political animals are...well, political at all levels, both internally and externally.


Blogger Jack Locke, who tried unsuccessfully to become the Green candidate in a Montreal riding two years ago, accused the party of misrepresenting the pre-convention vote, according to Yahoo News. Everyone has a hidden agenda, methinks.

With Australia increasing their Green vote by 3.7% at the time of the GPC, momentum is beginning around the world. They phoned into the conference during a live feed. This, too, was a terrific part of the conference. 


After many years working with students in the area of developing environmentally-friendly curriculum, I am heartened by the response the next generation has created in the world. At least, those who are educated are responding in this fashion. We must spread the word no matter your political preferences, and protect the world around us.

Another thunderstorm in Muskoka

Beautiful summer days. Enjoy while you can!


It's been cool in the night, but fun in the daytime.


The thunder rolled in this morning. Below is a lightning video from June!

Josephine plays!

All it requires are some creative child rearing skills: dress-up, indoor and outdoor play, building indoor tents, and playing in the rain with a duck umbrella!

Papa has left for Toronto for the big Green meeting. We're having fun in Muskoka.

Josephine plays 

Jean-Luc, Nepean-Carleton Candidate, packs for the Green Party Conf.

Wind Turbines in North Gower

Wind turbine health worries in North Gower [Ontario]

Wolfe Isl.

Hundreds of people packed a meeting organized by opponents of a proposed wind farm in Ottawa's southern outskirts. more »

This is an interesting article.
You would think there would be adequate studies from Europe: 

European Wind Energy Association - EWEA: Offshore Wind

There are currently 830 wind turbines now installed and grid connected, totalling 2063 MW in 39 wind farms in nine European countries

They make a good point.

Anecdotal evidence, by people unwilling to accept the wind turbines, do not make reliable witnesses. North Gower, a small bedroom town south of Ottawa (I used to live there!), is having meeting to protest the wind farm.

They did not allow Prowind to speak, which causes some doubt in my mind. "Bart Geleynse, who is in charge of land acquisition for Prowind Canada, said opponents of wind turbines can't back up their health claims with scientific studies." 

How can one have a dialogue if all stakeholders are not allowed air time?

The Green Party has passed a motion calling for scientific studies, as highlighted by Sudbury Steve:

Green Party Voting: Greens Question Commitment to Wind Energy

And the Green Party remains committed to have scientific, not anecdotal studies, as clarified by Jean-Luc Cooke, the Nepean Carleton Green Party candidate.. 

  Wind turbines near Shelburne | Green Party of Ontario
On the other hand, if residents do not like the turbines, or feel they are adversely affected, perhaps they should be compensated to move. As a person that moved several times for several reasons, to find a job, to assist failing parents, I wonder how attached we become to 'home'. Expecting society to stay the same, despite change around us, and not the reverse.

The article quotes one woman,

"Stephana Johnston has lived beside a wind farm near Lake Erie for a year and a half. She told North Gower residents that from inside her home, the neighbouring wind turbines sound like a Boeing 747 jumbo jet flying overhead."

Wolfe Isl.

Now, we live across a lake from a train track and you get used to the hourly trains. It all depends upon your attitude, does it not? I find comfort in the train. There are many towns where residents live steps from a train track.

It is the same in Bala, with opponents of the Bala Falls Hydro Dam, who protest using rhetoric and unfounded claims. In a democracy, we have elected leaders who have stated publicly their purpose in reducing our dependence upon coal-fired, polluting generators.

When we look at the earth, and the demands humans make of it, can we not adapts as flora and fauna have, also? Wolfe Island, for example, was impacted a great deal by their wind turbines. The jury seems out on this one. Until they prove an impact...and prove or disprove it they jolly well should.

~~~~~~~~~~

My Muskoka: Bala Falls Hydro Project -part 1

Lake Superior

Sept. 09, 2008

A new project, Bala Falls Hydro Dam, has spawned much excitement in our quiet town.

Dambusters (post #2) | Bala Hydro Project -part 3  |  Misinformation -part 4  |  Trouble in Dodge City/ AKA Bala Falls Hydro Project pt. 5

Harness the Wind

Good news:

5 schools chosen for wind turbines in Muskoka

Feb 11, 2010

St. Mary's winds up for innovative new green project

This is a photo from a trip to Lake Superior Park area. For the photo of the actual turbine, check out the above link.
This is rather exciting, as many have said to me.
Exciting, as our son-in-law is running for the Green Party in Ottawa-Carleton. Much fun!


BUT:

A local school will have a slightly different profile by this fall. St Mary's Separate school is one of five schools chosen by the Simcoe Muskoka Catholic School Board to install a wind Turbine to generate power for the school.
The Green Schools Pilot is a joint venture by the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Research and Innovation The structure will be quite visible from Highway 11 as it stands 7 metres tall.
The total cost to install the wind turbines at the five schools is $309,000.00.

HUNTSVILLE - Saint Mary’s Catholic School in Huntsville will have a wind turbine installed this spring. The Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board has received Ministry of Education funding, as part of the ministry’s Green School Pilot program...

Parry Sound Green Party Rally

Green Rally in Parry Sound photos
After a Green party rally, attended by about 80 supporters on the Equal Voice, trying to encourage women to enter politics, and our daughters to vote.
The platform of the Parry Sound train station, Elizabeth May's VIA train pulled in after 7:30. It had been expected around 4:00, but was inevitably delayed. Everyone crowded the platform. They put out the steps and Elizabeth burst from the train in an explosion of energy, enthusiasm and excitement. She has great energy and I see her as a role model to all those who aspire. There is a women's group,

What an historic moment, as previous candidates, such as Wilfred Laurier in the 1900s had not option but to travel by train. Then, John Diefenbaker in 1965 and Pierre Trudeau in 1974, similarly ran the rails visiting whistle stops across the country. As one fan said, is gives respect to those of us in small towns, as well as saving carbon emissions.

There were two false starts as two freight trains pulled through at breakneck speed. It was a practice run, as folks picked up signs and began cheering. There were 6 Green Party candidates on the platform, with 5 jumping on the train to travel the rest of the way to Toronto. There were no platform speeches other than a welcome to all of us and thanks for Mr. Hodgson's team, a missed opportunity, but perhaps the candidate, Glen felt he would be preaching to the choir.

Elizabeth May burst out of the train with such energy and spirit and spoke to a formerly weary but now energised crowd. We had anticipated a 4:00 p.m., then 6:30, and finally a 7:30 arrival of the train taking across the country. It was poignant as the train arrived in the dusk, the sun setting as she began to talk to us. The sound of the train entering the station is a Canadian moment, the whistle being a familiar Central and North Ontario sound. She was articulate and powerful, and greeted all with a strong presence that puts forward the women’s movement, unlike some female politicians, i.e., the American McCain's running mate Sarah Palin, who sets the women’s movement back 4 years with her conservative views!

It was a shame not to see more reporters; CTV was represented by A-Channel: Barrie, COGECO had a videographer, The Moose sent a reporter, Mark Clairmont of Muskoka Today, and North Star Media sent a videocam and photographer. The National news reporters embedded onboard did not even disembark, despite the cheering crowd on the platform.

My YouTube Elizabeth May's arrival | her platform speech .

Election 2008 here we come

I guess at my age, every two years is two much. There are those who do not see the need for it. I agree. There is no reason that a minority government should not work. It is a shame that Mr. Harper broke his own laws on fixed date elections. Surely, there is work that needs to be done that supersedes the political filibusters intended for political gain. Can those in power not determine what needs to be done, set aside party politics, and make a difference in this country? I have great issues with many of our parties.

Conservatives
Mr. Harper promised many things.
Senate reform- there has been none
Lowered GST – what for? We need more services, not less. The minimal reduction made little difference for those that have and reduced the tax dollars available for those who have not.
How about 4 – year elections: he fixed date and changed his own rules. Reminds me of some men I dated. Last minute cancellations for their own political gains.
He said he would not appoint ministers from outside government, and he did.
He promised no floor crossing: yet a man elected as liberal a week later crossed over to the other side, which reflected opportunism.

Liberals
Liberals Have gone green and laud the Kyoto agreement, an obtuse document that allows us to guilt-free buy our way to ‘carbon credits’. What is with this? Mr. Dion is not favoured. His English has improved but not enough for me to have faith in him. His policies sing out tax dollars, and his carbon tax seems ridiculous. Those who cannot afford to pay more for gas will suffer. We will still find those who can afford it continue to idle in parking lots with the motor running.

NDP
I must admit my bias: I have always voted NDP, being a federation and union member. I began to distrust the NDP when Bob Rae enacted "Rae Days" in provincial education to save money. His defection to the Federal Liberals scares me, too.

I worry about those who do not cast their vote for particular local candidates due to strategic voting. I heard a fellow citizen in my riding who complained that since the NDP never made it in this riding that he tried strategic voting last time to no effect. Mr. Layton comes second in opinion polls for strong leadership. He and his partner would make a strong opposition. Too many people are afraid of open policies in which we look after each other, and not ourselves or business.

There are rumours of his agreements with the B.C. parties; candidates who defected to NDP after a lack of success there. Former marijuana party members, if you please! B.C. has always gone from Liberal to NDP, and back again, why Mr. Layton made deals, if he did so, is beyond me. Mr. Harper is now aiming for NDP supporters in BC, as he realizes that Mr. Dion doesn't have a chance there.

The NDP has faced a couple of issues as his BC candidates have been unravelled with past mistakes. There were 3 candidates that resigned this week.

Green Party
Elizabeth May has made great progress in bringing the philosophy of ‘Greens” to Canada. I adore her feisty spirit. She is smart and articulate, but inexperienced. By now, the Green Party of Canada, which has made great gains in Germany, has not met expectations here. Ms. May has failed to drum up enough support, either philosophical or financial, to make a difference. By getting into bed with the Liberals to promote herself in her riding by running unopposed by a Liberal candidate, she diminishes her personal and party power and demonstrates values I question. The Toronto Star says the the Greens & NDP are now tied in popularity. The consortium that tried to force May out of the debate really messed up the plans. The attention accorded her, the little guy vs. the big guys, has gleaned her much attention. She is second choice for many voters...mind you the polls are pretty uneventful, if you can depend upon pollsters.

For fun we are going to go and watch Ms. May arrive in Parry Sound -not that we necessarily intend voting Green, but it is an historical occasion. What a great trip she is having - both real and philosophical. Watch for photos later!

Parry Sound-Muskoka riding

With all of that said, the Parry Sound-Muskoka riding is one that holds much interest. I really wonder, as I heard one phone-in caller state, whether to vote strategically, or to vote on the issues. Muskoka is an area of either retirees (18%) or those in the sales and service industries (28%), and that causes fear amongst those who are self-employed or in the business world. Last election, with the Conservative, Tony Clement, edging out the Liberal incumbent in 2006 by 28 votes; our riding is one that gets attention.

That said, what about local candidates? I do not know them well and have found many Tony Clement signs about. They say that the incumbent has an advantage. We have been inundated with bizarre flyers from the Conservatives, asking us bizarre questions about whether we want X, Y, Z to happen with a Liberal government. Certainly, Mr. Clement takes every opportunity to be in every event going and yet there are issues unresolved in this riding.

We are still sorting through the party positions on many Federal issues: education, poverty, immigration policy, the environment, gun violence, government corruption, senate reform, and Afghanistan. They say that an election is no time to deal with policies, only planks announced daily to garnish the most sound bites and build up to a strong, unbreakable platform in the final climax on election day. No matter your positions on issues - get out there, listen to their platforms and invoke your rights as a citizen, talk to your candidates about the issues, and vote.