Bala Falls Hydro Project -part 3

The town has risen in uproar. It is quite a movement. I posted a video on the Save the Bala Falls Facebook site and, for the second time my post was deleted and, I was blocked from a site that declares that it is an "open group". Obviously not open to discussion.

The photo above shows the Bracebridge Hydro Project. It looks very amenable to visitors and draws tourists.

An 'anonymous' posting on my original post has been responded to and new points have been raised. A rant, intended to disparage me and my motivation, has been removed, at my request, to keep this issue clear, and not about emotions but values and issues. In a democracy a healthy debate helps everyone to understand and come to some sense of truth.

What is clear in the media is that they are not looking for those in favour, nor seem interested in presenting a balanced viewpoint. Many business owners are in the fray, with ties to local politics, but no effort has been made to correct untruths and, indeed, efforts seem to be made to regurgitate falsehoods. This is the difference between an editorial and news reporting, something that escapes many media outlets these days.

cottage property

Many are working long hours on dambusting. It is good to see the business people, taxpayers and cottagers united. I am still unsure that there isn't some efficacy in this project and find that the move to sway public opinion opinion means that those who are in favour of the project are going unheard in the grassroots movement. In an attempt to sway those in the privileged Moon River area taxpayers, Swift River made a special presentation to this group worried about the impact to their cottages and homes. What is ironic is that the original dam was built to assist secondary landowners in maintaining water levels for logging and to protect white settlers who took over the land from the original native settlers.

That is the way to discuss, debate and determine the future! We need to sit, like ancient and modern aboriginal leaders, and come to a consensus, not shrieking in debate-like forums. Thank goodness we live in a democracy. In the current Federal election, like the politicians building up of planks to create platforms, we can have healthy debates and weed out facts from fiction. With the different levels of government involved, e.g., our Conservative M.P.P. is supporting the fight against this Liberal provincial government initiative. It was the McGuinty government who was accused of not meeting election promises of reducing our dependence upon coal and he has done so with this mandate from taxpayers.

This project has been begun by provincial policy,

"aimed at developing new clean, renewable, ‘green’ sources of power generation in order to reduce Ontario’s dependence on dirty, coal-fired sources of electricity production."

It is controlled by various levels and divisions of our government (MNR, Ontario’s Environmental Assessment Act (O.Reg. 116/01), & Canadian Environmental Assessment Act but they are bureaucrats responding to government policy, driven by taxpayers. Norm Miller, our Parry Sound-Muskoka Conservative member in a Liberal provincial government, has found a perfect opportunity to get on the bandwagon! What is interesting is that this issue does not appear on his website. With no election in the immediate future, it hasn't been discussed, and very little is being said outside the town. There were a couple of articles in our local paper
(Sept. 17, Aug. 13 & July 16), and one in McLeans that I have yet to read!), but the province is interested in looking after the well-being of the entire province, not just our small town.

I follow the debate with interest. The next event will be the visitation on Oct. 14 of local councillors of the Muskoka district council, to view the area. I hope they make an informed decision, not one based on popularity. (Swift River Energy will be in attendance for questions, although coverage of the facts by their group seems sparce.) They have already agreed to the project 'in principle' - subject to a study, and will proceed from there. It is exciting to see the critical reflection on this debate, the quality of the debate varies, but it is there. Unlike the Federal politicians not much use is being made of the Internet, aside from sneering comments, lies, and untruths mixed with some real concerns. Unfortunately, the mix means that the project cannot be weighed and balanced over public good and inconvenience to cottagers, pain for business owners, and the value of adding green power to the grid. While I live here, I found that many of my neighbours are absent landlords, however, choosing to rent over participating in cottage life. Many cannot see the forest for the trees.

Below is my iMovie, also on YouTube, that clearly shows the falls and the area for those who may not understand the hydrogeologic perspective.



Below are the overhead photos with labels that demonstrate the extent of the project. Taken from the Swift River presentation to Moon River area taxpayers. (Reprinted by permission.)

Bala Falls Hydro: Post #1,
Dambusters (post #2) & Misinformation -part 4

"Love is being able to walk arm in arm.
Even when you don’t see eye to eye." --Thomas A. Kempis

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.

committee of adjustment for minor variances

For those renovating, or changing structures on properties, they must follow current by-laws. If you want a permit to vary building guidelines, you must appear before this committee. A recent article in the Examiner claims that a cottager seeking a variance was represented by someone sitting on the variance committee before which they were presenting. Their neighbour has registered a complaint, and great disgust, that the person trying to build too close to the water sought the advocacy of someone on this committee. I cannot imagine this scenario. Further, the minutes were expunged and rewritten to be more open, despite the deceit within the meeting. I am shocked.

It is particularly deceitful. It seems as if the rules are made by environmentalists, town planners and hydrogeology experts but they are just guidelines!

Either town committees have a plan to protect the environment or they do not. If you have money, influence and power the rules and regulations can be broken. This is a breach of public trust. Town committee members have a responsibility to by-laws. This is shameful.

Mind you, if those seeking the variance are not granted same - they WILL go to the Ontario Municipal Board where there is a 75% chance the OMB will overrule the duly elected officials. It is a lose-lose situation for those who have respect for the environment. Only in Muskoka! This issue requires some reflection. Mind you, the councillors do seem to show bias. An article similarly says that they support Tony Clement in the Federal Election, with YouTube videos galore. I resent such propaganda by municipally elected officials with their own agendas.

Fall Colours

Not only the trees, but the flowers are brightly dressed!

Election 2008 coverage

Here we are in another election! It seems like yesterday. It was a grand time to be an educator. We debated platforms, talked about issues, spoke of local candidates and party leaders. There was a buzz. We learned not to believe everything we read. In the time since, however, there are much more information out there than before. The wise educator needs to educate her students.

I am concerned with the news coverage. I would like to read information and news – not the blog of everyman. It is hard to weed out facts from those who pontificate with little knowledge or expertise behind them. I read every article with a critical eye. I know that reporters have editors and are accountable. When I see the trend towards anyone being allowed to post offensive, biased, racist and sexist comments, I shudder.

Teachers are wise to take this opportunity to explore this important facet of Canadian Politics. Students can collect articles, campaign pamphlets, view debates, and generally exploit this phenomenon that lends itself to literacy and integrated unit opportunities. You need not have a great deal of experience or be a political animal, the older students (Gr. 4 and above) can have a grand time. My Gr. 8’s, back in 2006, found a lot of excitement in following what proved to be a minority government. We compared and contrasted what we read, saw on TV and heard on radio. My classroom walls were filled with articles that students would rush in to show me.

It was interesting comparing the difference between Municipal ( and Regional), Provincial and Federal mandates and issues. It is the Municipal elections that have a profound effect on citizens in terms of your region and local taxes, but a Federal election is a prime opportunity for separating out the various levels of government and determining their mandate and effect upon Canadians as a whole.

Another aspect of this current election is the effect that applications like Twitter and Facebook have on election fever. Entrepreneurs have taken advantage of the money they can glean from ads on web site. I have chosen not to. This, in and of itself reflects a bias. One web site provides much information by a political science grad and student teacher. It is possible to have interesting discussions about potential bias (or lack thereof) in this Web site.

No matter- talk about what is going on. Grill your candidates and hold them accountable.

The New TV Season

Alright, finally the new season is starting to come together. Every year, since we had a TV in the 50s, we would welcome new shows. We watched Batman as kids, The Wonderful World of Disney, Ed Sullivan, and so on. But I date myself.

Now, after a career in education I have retired. No longer do I have to attend after school meetings, or go to workshops, take courses, or do the numerous activities necessary to look after a family: ferrying kids to and from school, play, lessons, activities and events. My parents I cared for as they fought their respective battles with cancer. The sandwich generation is a tough one to live through.

My days are filled with volunteer work and writing for fun and pleasure. My nights are filled with meetings for the organization for which I volunteer. I am able to make choices. I have much more time, now, to watch TV -- guilt-free! The problem is that I do not feel that the shows are geared for me and my generation.

I remember watching 5 CSIs in a row the night dad passed away. It was bizarre, as this show took me far and away from my dad's laboured breathing. I could go to a world where there was a certain amount of science and see beautiful people work very hard.

I have just seen the season premieres of several shows. One of my favourites, Bones, is about a lab in the Institute in which scientists explore various plot lines revolving around pathology cases in conjunction with the FBI. Having been through this building, I find it hopeful to see these incredibly beautiful, and nearly perfectly coifed men and women, explore the mysteries of a case and determine, using state-of-the-art technology, the cause of death in a case in an hour. I know it unrealistic. I know that most detective work is pounding the pavement, but I like the scientific principles and the technology the purport to use. It is different than my reality.

The issue I have this year is that they are increasingly making these types of shows soap operas. Now, I don't know who their target audiences are, but it sure isn't me. I really do not want to have a good mystery and plot line confounded by who is in bed with whom. The characterization on such shows is increasingly puerile, too. They develop incredibly arrogant, or rude people, like Hugh ... character, Dr. House, whom I would not tolerate as a physician no matter how skilled. I would rather die.

September-signs of fall

As faithfully as the diurnal sun rises and sets, the seasons change and with it brings change. Our lives, too, can depend upon change. I love the Facebook discussion and rebellion over the changing homepage design. I find that the change brings new ideas, new discussion, and more discourse. Education, my field, depended upon that pendulum of change. Each year, each new principle or new senior staff, or new Ministry of Education Minister and new government brought change. The funny thing is that the pendulum always swung. (But that is a topic for My Reflections and Musings blog!)

With the changing temperatures (see my Fall Beginnings photos) the foliage punctuates the impending winter solstice. Our lows have ranged from 1 degree Celsius, in open areas, to double-digit daytime highs of 20.

The bulrushes have moved through their reproductive cycle: their cattails are ready for the winter winds and snow. Formerly used by Native Peoples as absorbent materials, the wind takes it across marshes and ponds.

The creatures are feverishly gathering winter stores. The bees have been filling their pollen sacs. The photo shows its little yellow packages of sweet goodness. My wasp trap remains empty, as I could not fool them in their pursuit of winter shelter. I had to remove nest after nest in our storage cupboard that had cracks that simply invited guests.

We walked under a tree that was apparently flinging its green pine cones at us. My understanding is that they do not fall until ripe, and dry. Upon further examination, we spotted an arrogant red squirrel (from the species: 'tree rat') atop a deeply green conifer. The cones were scattered on the ground, cluttering the roadway. It was unstoppable. Such fierce critters.

The maples began to exchange their summer suits for delightful yellows, then golds and reds. The tips of branches seem gleeful in beating the rest of the tree to dress up for the season.

The sumac, previously delicate and frail, and gently wafting in the spring winds, has grown tall and strong as it works its way through its seasonal cycle of life. The succulent berries have grown and turned into bright red, soft, fuzzy little grape-like clusters. The leaves, long fronds that responded to rains and winds of summer, have turned colours. The maple leaves, now red on the tips of many tall trees, similarly herald the coming of fall. I always looked forward to fall. After a summer happily toiling in the garden, playing in the water and observing the summer visitors, fair and fowl, I welcome a rest and the pursuit of other projects.

The remnants of Hurricane Hanna brought us sparkling waters and wind, while Tropical Storm Ike, after its trip up central North America, dumped many cms of rain (see the video!), refilling our frog pond and lakes. The high water, as well as snow cover, protects both animal and vegetable over our extreme temperatures.

Election Campaign Signs

It was in 2006 that candidates in one riding agreed to limit campaign signs in a bid to reduce waste, and improve the environment. We have moved from the old days of politicking when, in order to let your neighbour know your voting pledge, you would put up a sign.

One Kingston newspaper reports that they will refrain from placing signs on public property. The Globe says that it is the Green party pushing this idea through. It is not a new one.

Cooperation during campaigning is not limited to environmental issues. The sudden death of an Ottawa-area sitting MP's mother, Marion Dewar, has generated some respect for Paul Dewar who must deal with his bereavement issues while leading up to this relatively short 37-day election period.

Protect Our Children Act

I watched a powerful Oprah show today. It was about child pornography and predators. Her call to action revolves around the American Senate Bill #1738 - the Protect Our Children Act. There have been problems passing this act. Sometimes our rights to privacy must be superceded by what is moral. Internet Safety is a topic of concern to me, with a couple of articles to my credit. I have created a PPT to educate parents and teachers. I understand some of the issues.

What I cannot understand is this act. The purpose of the act is to invest millions in setting up law enforcement agencies. Oprah has put a call out to her constituents to pass this law. She cites the need for an infusion of dollars, as well as a tightening of the mandate and money for software to find predators. While her goals are laudable, I think them misplaced. She has the power to sway many people and broadcast important causes, but I wonder if this push for more money is the right one.

They key is empowering parents to prevent such abuses, and teaching those who work with children to be vigilant. The USA's National Center for Missing and Exploited Children is one place to start. Most predation is carried out by people familiar to the children. Also, children who are lured online fall in the small minority. Those who create child porn use their home computers and equipment. That said, there are means by which a parent can determine where a child has been on his or her computer. It is the right of a parent, indeed the obligation to supervise them. Checking the browser history will let you know the sites that are accessed. One must be vigilant.

Regarding this act, I think we must come to the determination that Internet Service Providers must be forced to cooperate with child protection agencies and stop the trading, and marketing of these illegal, immoral and unlawful products. People from around the world must take action. Those who worry about internet censorship and personal and human rights need to wake up. The impact of child pornography on the psyche of the nation is huge. The stress of this problem on the children, their families, law enforcement officers and society is preventable. Something needs to be done. The discussion needs to continue.

Bala Falls Hydro Issues part 2.2

What is very interesting as Muskoka evolves and grows, is the great fight against the Bala Falls Hydro Project- a project signed and sealed with a contract! Volunteers were going door-to-door with flyers to inform citizens of the town hall meeting. They are soliciting donations to help defray printing costs in their attempts to inform the public of their concerns. My first post has photos, as well as some concerns.

The dambusters are working hard at cancelling this project. It is interesting that they are primarily store owners who will be affected, but the entire closely knit community is up in arms. Media coverage has been interesting, with bias on many fronts and reporting of misinformation.

It was standing room only, with a packed hall. Cars were parked everywhere as those interested in this issue made a point of attending the Sunday afternoon (Sept. 14, 2008) session. There was a printed agenda, with various speakers, including several store and business owners (the Burgess, Gidley, Purkis folks) concerned with the impact of the project on their profits.

Tourism dollars were hard to find this past year. Those who know tell us that it was down by as much as 30 - 40%. It is likely not due to gas prices. (The extra costs of driving from Toronto to Muskoka would make a trip about $30 more expensive) It was the lack of sunny days and the rain that reduced our visitors.

At the town hall meeting presentations made before the District Council (Sept. 2, 2008) were reprised, as well as info by Mitchell Shnier,
Mark Gidley and Nigel Nicholson.

The group is looking for help in generating names on petitions, and mobilization of teams to speak to Donna Cansfield (Ministry of Natural Resources), George Smitherman (Minister of Energy), District Councillors (who will visit the site Oct. 14th), and to meet to discuss the impact of tourism on this initiative.

The Facebook site has been continuing. Posts are becoming clearer, and some correspondence has been quoted. For example, John Purkis (who leads the FB group) posted a response regarding his concerns from Swift River...

I am sorry that we can’t do more to answer your concerns. The existence of the town of Bala seems to depend upon the dams, as this is the reason that the road, rail and river junctions exist, as well as maintaining the level of Lake Muskoka and the Moon River.

Our project does not touch the existing dams, nor does it create a new one. It is an underground power plant that will be created in order to build an extensive park on top. The park will become the focal point, not the power project – which is in fact invisible.

Ian Baines

Chief Operating Officer
Swift River Energy

I continue to find some discrepancy between what the dambusters are claiming will happen and what Swift River's plans outline. The artist's rendering, a thorn in Swift River's side, is grossly overdone and not to specifications.

A book I have about the History of Bala, shows photos of the original falls, before the falls were dammed to raise the water levels, and ensure that they did not rise and fall abruptly with sping thaws and summer droughts. At that time the falls could raise or lower 9 feet, according to this book. The photos of the original falls were lovely. If you look under the first bridge you can see the lovely Precambrian Shield rock over which the water roared uncontained. People have seen fit to harness the water and control its impact to steamships and loggers in the early days of development of the area. I guess the more things change...