Thank you for your service
Congratulations to the newly elected Town Council, Mayor and the Area H representative. To the outgoing Mayor Randy McLean and to Councillor Ray Jarvis, thank you for your service. To the other candidates who were unsuccessful this time around, thank you for putting your name forward. You and the other candidates have helped to make democracy stronger by doing so.
It is now time for the community to move forward. We all need to learn from the trials we as a community have faced over the past few months with the referendum and now the recent civic election. It is time to mend the fences that have been broken. We are strongest when we are united and we need to move into the future with a united front. The global economy is still a mess. The Canadian economy is forecasting slower times ahead and we would be fools to think that we won’t feel the impact. We have been lucky so far with the opening of the mine and the growth based around it.
It will now be our elected officials’ jobs to guide us through these uncertain times with a balance of fiscal responsibility and community growth. They will need to make some tough decisions on where to spend tax dollars to bring the highest rate of return to the community without damaging existing programs.
There are a few things that have come up during the election that I hope council will deal with right away, such as changing the realtor selling the lots at the industrial park, and seeing if there is a way to fast-track the deer strategy that Councillor Earle has started. There is a lot of work ahead for Council and the new mayor. There is a lot of work ahead for our Area H representative. The words “open and transparent” came up during the election and I hope that all elected officials respect that the community wants its elected officials to be open. People feel like the dialogue between Town Hall and the community is lacking. I would ask that once you are all settled in, please have an open meeting with the community and the Doctor Recruitment Committee. The community wants to know what is happening.
The Doctor Recruitment is only one issue that needs to be brought into the public. I know that past councils have had public consultations with the community, but having a public meeting once in a while is just a start. Have you heard of social media? Cities, mayors and councillors around the province now use Twitter to keep their constituents up to date on what is happening from public meetings to what they feel about the issues at hand. Candidates took to Facebook during the election to connect with voters. Please don’t stop. The Town of Princeton should have a Facebook page where issues can be discussed openly with the public. Use the tools available to you to reach out to the public.
The job of being an elected official is a thankless one, so let me thank you all for running and for serving our community.
The Game of Politics
This article was published in the Similkameen Spotlight on November 9, 2012 as “Some days are for head shaking”. This is the unedited version of what was submitted. You can see the edited/published version here: http://www.similkameenspotlight.com/opinion/133547348.html
The game of politics: some days you want to stop and shake your head at the things that are said. Take for instance a phone call that my wife received from someone asking us to vote for Charles Weber. The person made his pitch as to why he thought we should vote for Charles over Brad. Personally I think this is great, grassroots boots-on-the-ground type of campaigning. It is the type of thing that encourages people to vote. Then the story moves away from the Area H arena and enters the municipal stage. The person on the other end of the line told my wife that he was going to support Fred Thomas, but can’t now because he is too close to Brad. I find this comment a little funny because it was the same thing that was said last time around about Brad and Randy McLean. The caller told my wife that he would not be supporting Fred Thomas but would be supporting Randy McLean.
Before I go any further I just want to make clear I am not sure if this person is working directly with Mr. Weber or Mr. McLean’s campaign. I cannot help point out the irony of the accusation that Brad Hope and Fred Thomas are too close when you are actively seeking votes for an Area H director candidate, and then intentionally or not place that person on a ticket with a candidate for Mayor. I know Mr. Thomas and Mr. Hope are acquaintances but so are Mr. Hope and Mr. McLean, and Mr. McLean and Mr. Weber, so to make an assumption that because people may have similar feelings, thoughts or a relationship makes them too close in a community of our size is reaching to a questionable conclusion.
The same caller brought up another point about Fred Thomas that was a little confusing to me. He was annoyed that Fred Thomas was putting his website address on his advertisements because not all people in Area H have access to the internet. The caller would much rather have seen Mr. Thomas’ bio in the paper. To this I can only say, please check the Spotlight’s November 1st edition of the paper where not only Fred Thomas’ bio was published but all the candidates’ bios were published. As for the use of websites, I thankfully welcome the fact that candidates are reaching out to the public with all forms of communication. Fred Thomas’ bio states that he worked for IBM. I would naturally assume that someone who had worked in the tech industry would utilize such a powerful tool to disseminate information. For instance, on www.FredThomas.org, Mr. Thomas recently posted an interesting piece about the pool referendum.
For the record, Mr. Thomas is not the only one who is using the internet to get his message across. Facebook has become a destination for a number of our local politicians, including Randy McLean, Brad Hope and Fred Thomas.
What I am trying to say is if you are going to try and paint people with the same brush, you need to be careful. To say that www.FredThomas.org is out of touch with voters is like saying that Randy McLean’s Facebook page is too. To say that because people may have a previous relationship means they are too close in a community as small as ours is setting a precedent that we don’t want.
Filed under Municipal, Published in Spotlight, Regional
Harper appoints 3 defeated conservatives with the Senate
Remember the days when Harper wanted to reform the Senate?
I am guessing he doesn’t. The Prime Minister appointed 3 defeated conservatives to the Senate in what can really only be another slap in the face to the people who voted for him. Not only has Harper in the past accused the possible coalition of trying to form a government without being elected he out right appoints failed conservative candidates to serve in government.
Conservatives like to try and blame opposition parties from blocking Senate reform in the past despite the fact that the NDP has always advocated Senate reform. Now that Harper not only has a majority in the House but the Senate I doubt very much that he will make any moves to abolish or reform the upper house. It is in his favor to keep the antiquated system as it now works for and not against his agenda.
Harper gave his supporters yet another slap in the face by appointing the largest cabinet since Mulroney. Really makes you wonder when conservatives will learn that small government actually means smaller government not more ministries, cabinet and patronage positions.
Filed under National Politics, news
Another reason the Internet is evil
Some 20 year old Australian died after planking and falling from a 7 story balcony and the news media like always is trying to claim this is the fault of the internet and facebook. Of course the internet and facebook help spread this strange pass time, but the internet also helps spread the media’s lack of journalistic integrity.
People need to stop blaming the internet for people’s lack of responsibility and inability to take responsibility of their actions. Why not look deeper into the issues, why are these people seeking attention? Why do these people seem to think that they need to risk their lives for a picture to put on the internet? There are so many questions that journalists should be asking but they aren’t they are looking for that ticker tag line that will get them on the news. Sensationalist journalism is all that they seem to be doing while kids are dying.
This is ageism and it is wrong!
From the Similkameen Spotlight http://www.bclocalnews.com/okanagan_similkameen/similkameenspotlight/opinion/121580869.html
By Spencer Coyne – Similkameen Spotlight
Published: May 10, 2011 11:00 AM
Updated: May 10, 2011 11:42 AM
When the votes were all tallied up and the dust was settled, the NDP had won in ridings across Quebec that no one could have predicted at the beginning of the election. Across the country, even non New Democrats were ecstatic that a federalist party had reduced the separatist Bloc Quebecois to all but 4 seats. But the media being the media and always looking for something to make the front page, they started in on the new MPs who were democratically elected by the constituents in their ridings.
I understand that the NDP gaining the official opposition status in the House of Commons is big news, and on the national scene it is new territory. I understand that the NDP will be under the microscope because of its massive seat gains and that people will be curious about what the next step will be. That is fair. What isn’t fair is to single out new young MPs who were elected by the people in the ridings that elected them. It is not fair to the people of the ridings and is not fair to those who had the courage and conviction to run in the election.
We are told time and time again that young people are too apathetic to vote, that they are not engaged but here we have young Canadians who decided that they would put their money where their mouths were and put their names on the ballot.
I was elected to council when I was 24. In many ways I was unprepared for the world of civil politics but so is everyone else who runs for the first time. Maybe this is why I am so upset with the way the media has come out attacking these new young MPs. Some people in the media are trying to suggest that they are too young, too inexperienced and that we should take a more American approach to our elected officials with age limits.
This is ageism and it is wrong! If you are old enough to vote then you are old enough to stand up and run. Show me a newly elected Conservative politician who, just because he is older has more right to be in the House of Commons as someone who is younger? Just because you are older doesn’t mean that you have more experience at something that you have never done before, and to suggest such is not only insulting, it is inappropriate.
It takes a lot of courage to put your name on a ballot and run for office, something I would like to see these pundits and spin doctors try and do. In their attempt to cook up a story and attacking these new youthful MPs they are only alienating even more young people from getting involved. If people wish to judge these new MPs or any MP, do it on their record not on their lack of record. Everyone must start someplace and these new youthful MPs have done what most critics do not have the courage to do, run for office.
Save Bill C-474
Save Bill C-474 on April 14! Your new action can stop the biotech industry from defeating this Bill!
Dear Spencer,
Your actions are making a huge difference. The biotech industry has launched a heavy lobbying campaign to stop Bill C-474. Despite this industry pressure, the Liberals spoke in favour of Bill C-474 tonight – but their voice was not strong enough to drown out Conservative opposition, yet. The Conservatives voted against the Bill, but Bill C-474 is not dead yet. The official vote on Bill C-474 will happen on April 14!
Bill C-474 would require that “an analysis of potential harm to export markets be conducted before the sale of any new genetically engineered seed is permitted.” The Bill could stop GE alfalfa and GE wheat.
The industry association CropLife is so worried about the influence of your letters that they have copied CBAN’s campaign, asking their own public to write to MPs as well. (You can have a peek at the copy-cat campaign here: http://www.croplife.ca/web/english/biotechnology/Bill_C-474). We also know that key Liberal MPs have been under a lot of pressure from the biotech industry, including a steady stream of calls to their offices. But your voices are still being heard!
Here are some ways you can make a difference, today:
1. We have set up a new action. You can write an instant letter to Michael Ignatieff, Liberal Party leader from CBAN’s website http://cban.ca/liberalact474 Ask him to make sure all Liberal MPs are present on April 14 to vote in favour of Bill C-474. Tonight, the Liberal Party spoke in favour of a transparent debate on the Bill in the Agriculture Committee but will they vote for the Bill on April 14? (The NDP and Bloc support the Bill.)
2. You can also send your MP another letter from http://cban.ca/474action – Your continued pressure is important.
3. Below is an action alert that you can send around to your family, friends, and around your community. For more information and other action see http://cban.ca/474
4. Please consider supporting CBAN’s work with a financial contribution so we can continue this strong campaigning. CBAN is a small organization that is entirely funded by charitable donations and small project grants. CBAN has limited resources but is up against well-financed corporate giants like Monsanto. Donate online to keep this work going and to help us start our new campaign to stop the GE “Enviropig™” at http://cban.ca/donate
Please join us to stop GE crops from causing untold harm to Canadian farmers.
Thank you for your continued action and support, Best regards
Lucy Sharratt, Coordinator, Canadian Biotechnology Action Network
P.S. Contact me any time at 613 241 2267 ext.6 or coordinator@cban.ca
Action Alert. Please distribute widely.
Action Alert #3: Take New Action before April 14, 2010!
Support Bill C-474 – before April 14, 2010 – Support Canada’s Farmers! You can stop GE Alfalfa and GE Wheat!
Write an instant letter to Michael Ignatieff, Liberal Party leader from http://cban.ca/liberalact474 and ask him to make sure the Liberals pass the Bill on April 14.
You can also write to your MP at http://cban.ca/474action
Bill C-474 was voted down but not out on April 1. The Liberals support the Bill in words – but will they support with enough votes on April 14?
Private Members Bill C-474 was debated on March 17, and April 1 with an oral vote. The recorded, official vote will happen on April 14.
Your concrete action could stop genetically engineered (GE) seeds from causing chaos in Canadian farming!
Bill C-474 would require that “an analysis of potential harm to export markets be conducted before the sale of any new genetically engineered seed is permitted.” The Bill could stop GE alfalfa and GE wheat.
This Bill is critically important because, as we know from experience, the introduction of new genetically engineered (GE) crops can cause economic hardship to farmers. Farmers are at risk when GE crops are commercialized in Canada without also being approved in our major export markets.
Flax farmers in Canada are now paying a heavy price because of this exact problem. Late last year, Canadian flax exports were discovered contaminated with a GE flax that is not approved in Europe or in any of our other export markets (except the U.S.). Flax farmers actually foresaw that GE contamination or even the threat of contamination would close their export markets. That’s why they took steps in 2001 to remove GE flax from the market. Despite this measure, flax farmers were not protected. The GE flax contamination closed our export markets in 2009. It has created market uncertainty and depressed prices. Farmers are also paying for testing and cleanup and may be required to abandon their own farm-saved flax seed and buy certified seed instead. These costs are an unnecessary and preventable burden.
We cannot allow GE seeds to harm our export markets. Please support Bill C-474 and protect Canada’s farmers.
Write an instant letter to Michael Ignatieff, Liberal Party leader before April 14 http://cban.ca/liberalact474
Bill C-474 was introduced by Alex Atamanenko, the NDP Agriculture Critic and MP for British Columbia Southern Interior.
For updates, more info and action options, see http://cban.ca/474 or contact Lucy Sharratt, Coordinator, Canadian Biotechnology Action Network coordinator@cban.ca 613 241 2267 ext. 6
This action alert was issued by the Canadian Biotechnology Action Network (CBAN) http://cban.ca
Lucy Sharratt, Coordinator, Canadian Biotechnology Action Network
Canadian Biotechnology Action Network (CBAN)
Collaborative Campaigning for Food Sovereignty and Environmental Justice
431 Gilmour Street, Second Floor
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, K2P 0R5
Phone: 613 241 2267 ext.6
Fax: 613 241 2506
coordinator@cban.ca
www.cban.ca
Filed under 100 Mile Diet, America, Food Security, gardening, Green, National Politics, Provincial Politics, Regional
Another Tote Garden Update
It has been 11 days since I planted my little garden in the window and I have to tell you I am very happy with the way it is 
progressing.
Everything has come up now even the few little herbs I planted have started to pop their heads through the soil. The green onions have taken the longest to get going and I have already thinned out some of the carrots I planted.
I am also happy to report that I have had great success with my beans and peas that I planted as a test to check the germination rate. The peas surprised me the most since I did nothing to them last year we left the plants on the wire and I just picked a couple of pods and planted them 100% success. The beans I only had 1 out of 8 that did not come up. All in all it has been pretty successful so far.
Tote garden update
I was able to plant my tote garden on Friday the 19th after leaving the bin in front of the fire for a while. I wanted to let the soil warm
up before planting my seeds in it.
Shortly before noon on Friday I planted my seeds. Carrots, spinach, lettuce mix, swiss chard, green onions, basil and parsley and a few radishes mixed in for good measure.
Planting my little inside garden was a greater experience that I had originally thought it would be but not for the reasons I originally thought. My 6 month old son got to sit beside me in his excuser-saucer and watch me. I was a great moment we got to plant our first seeds together.
I have been keeping the tote as warm as I can. I placed it where it gets a good amount of sun light but not so that it takes up the entire window. I did this on purpose. I wanted to provide the amount of sunlight that someone in an apartment may have. So I have just pushed over the kitchen table a bit giving the tote half the window. At night I close the blind to keep some of the draft off and I have a small lamp that I turn on to provide some light and some heat.
Sunday I came in the house around 3pm and was surprised to see that sometime in the past 24 hours the radishes, lettuce and 1 swiss chard were already coming up. I couldn’t believe it, I know that it doesn’t take long but with the cool nights you never know if the seeds will sprout fast or take their time.
Monday (Today), even more lettuce, radishes and swiss chard is up. I am excited that things are coming around so fast. To be honest I almost thought that I may have to start over I have used some seeds that are not exactly new, some may even be a few years old.
More updates in the days to come as I am sure that even more activity is coming soon.
Filed under 100 Mile Diet, Food Security, gardening, Green, Uncategorized
Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution – USA
Tonight I watched part one of Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution USA. Jamie has a big task ahead of him by the looks of things the people of Huntington W. Va do not seem to receptive to the British Chef and Food Activist.
Both my wife and I watched in horror as Jamie walked into the schools lunch room where they were serving the children pizza for breakfast then for lunch they had chicken nuggets and flavoured milk. I was personally outraged when Jamie makes his first fresh lunch and the principal tells him he needs 2 breads with the meal even though he has brown rice. It really is scary that grains has been turned into breads. White bread should not count as a grain it should count as a sugar!
The show premiered on ABC tonight at 10 pacific time but you can watch it on A Channel and Access in Canada if you do not want to watch it on the American network. Check out http://abc.go.com/shows/jamie-olivers-food-revolution for more information about the show or to see clips from the show. You may be surprised.
Filed under 100 Mile Diet, America, Food Security
