LETTER: Comments concerning climate emergency require clarification

“If we are serious about making changes here that will help with the climate change emergency,  you cannot be an unwilling host for a green energy wind farm and tear it down.”

I want to thank the Picton Gazette for their on going coverage of the White Pines wind farm  saga;  the most recent article published in the June 20, 2019 edition of the Picton Gazette was  really appreciated and well written.

I was however a bit taken aback when I read the last part of the article.

Since the reporter , Desiree Decoste  and I were talking casually about the situation for at least an hour  as she enjoyed the tour of the wind farm, it seems some of the comments need further clarification by me.

There are a huge amount of wind energy supporters in Prince Edward County and beyond, so when I read the line saying  that I was going to the East coast to live by a wind farm where people care,  it sounded like I meant that nobody in the County cares, which couldn’t be further from the truth.

So many people have called me to thank me for my ongoing efforts and have been clear on where they stand in the wind debate, there are far more wind farm supporters than there are  anti -wind people.

When I was talking about the climate emergency that the County of Prince Edward just declared, I certainly did say the County was an embarrassment when it comes to that because we say the words but don’t act the part.

If we are serious about making changes here that will help with the climate change emergency,  you cannot be an unwilling host for a green energy wind farm and tear it down. The devastating environmental impact of such actions would be huge. also, we can’t keep approving and building non-stop on wildlife habitat and agricultural land, caring only about a dollar and not the lives these decisions are destroying.

So yes, if this County makes choices against the environment and for the economic growth by destroying our natural resources, then this place is an embarrassment to the rest of Canada.

How can a person not feel  ashamed to be a part of a place that works against the need to change?

A place that ignores the warnings of climate change  and destroys a wind farm that should  have been producing clean energy for months now.

The other clarification needed in the article was about the leadnow petition which was completed months ago so people can not sign there.

There are 19,000 names and comments from people who care about their children’s future and the fate of all that share this suffering  planet, but the best thing we the supporters can do is to keep voicing your opinion to MPP Todd Smith and Premier Doug Ford.

If this wind farm comes down  I don’t know how any one who fought against it can feel good when they look in their children’s eyes and tell them ‘I am proud to be a part of destroying your healthy future and taking away your hope’.

Jen Ackerman
Milford

SOURCE

Wind has the power to change the world

Wind has the power to change the world (and even Prince Edward County)

Saturday June 15 is Global Wind Day. Join us from 10 til 4 at ‘Live Laugh Eat in Milford (3020 County Rd 10) as we celebrate the power of wind.

Tour the County’s very own White Pines Wind Farm.

Learn about the environmental benefits of clean, renewable wind energy. Get ideas and share your own thoughts on how to do your part in helping with the climate emergency declared in Prince Edward County.

Complimentary coffee, cold drinks and our special potato doughnuts. Bubbles and pin wheels for the kids to blow in the wind.

ALSO BIG YARD SALE happening at the same time, come browse through some great treasures.

For more information contact Jen at 613-922-3510.

Did You Know

• • Wind energy generates electicity without emitting air pollutants and uses virtually no water compared to conventional electricity generating stations.
  • Ontario’s wind industry has created thousands of well paying much-needed jobs in manufacturing, construction and local services.
  • It will cost Ontario taxpayers $100 million or more to cancel the White Pines Wind Farm contract.
  • The nine wind turbines that make up the White Pines Wind Farm would generate enough electricity to power more than half of the homes in Prince Edward County over the next 20 years.
  • Four of the nine White Pines wind turbines are up and ready to start generating clean electricity for Ontario’s power grid.
  • Wind power is the most responsible way of replacing old 20th century sources of energy in Ontario.
  • Canada is the world leader in wind electricity generation per capita and Ontario leads all Canadian provinces with wind energy production. The cancellation of White Pines and other similar projects will put us behind Quebec and Alberta.
    

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Letter: Whether it’s beer or windfarms, Ford Government breaking contracts is going to be costly

Good Morning,

I have been listening the last 2 days [Anna Marie Tremonti’s show `The Current’] as this subject has been discussed and aside  from my personal perspective on the matter of where I buy beer, I am once again blown away by this governments lack of respect for CONTRACTS and the resultant costs that we are going to be incurring as taxpayers.  I find that it is a joke to hear comments being made from the  government side “that this shows Ontario’s willingness to be open for business” and “growing the economy”.  What business person would want to invest in a Province that cancels contracts on a whim.?!

The WPD Wind Farm in Milford, Prince Edward County was the first contract the Ontario PC’s cancelled when they came into power last year along with other environmental projects, and it is estimated that cancellation alone will be costing us $100-200 Million. That is a lot of money that could be used towards the Provincial cuts they felt necessary to make to Education / Healthcare / Autism / Municipalities!!

I am a supporter of the group that is trying to draw attention to the Wind Farm issue before it is too late and I would like to suggest that timing is good to give this group a bit of press as they fight to draw attention to this particular CONTRACT CANCELLATION that has even bigger human ramifications than where we buy our beer.  There are some very intelligent people who I think would love to have a chance to tell their story of the WPD contract cancellation on your show.

Please take a look at the website windinthecounty.com and the 17 minute documentary entitled `Up In The Air’ that has been made on the subject. It is an excellent overview of a very concerning situation brought about by this current government.

I think it is a news item that should be getting some broader  attention as it was the first of the contracts the PC’s cancelled and I believe is an issue that got buried in all the other `fires’ this government has set over these last months.

We Ontario residents need to be hearing more about  this governments disregard of contracts and what it is costing us on more fronts than just financially.

Thank you for consideration,

Carol Cooke

Ottawa

Todd Smith, Let the tourists know that we are not as stupid as they think we are

Holding the provincial government accountable, Jen Ackerman suggests a solid plan to do some good for the planet and our future in Prince Edward County. Have you written your letter?

For 200 years, Prince Edward County has been an agricultural community protected from industrial and urban development. Photo: Court Noxon

Mr. Smith,

Last week the County declared a climate emergency, like many other cities and Counties throughout Ontario. What do you suppose would be a good start to proving that we, the residents of the County, actually care about climate change and the fate of the planet? Will you and Mr, Ford simply brush it off and turn a blind eye to the fact that we are strongly pushing to have changes made?

We are telling you loud and clear that we do not want to see any more slashes and devastating decisions that favour only rich developers and not the environment.

Do you have a solid plan to do some good for the planet and our future, or are you going to continue with the wrecking ball theme that you have so clearly been using ?

Some suggestions for you to act on in order to work with the County residents that strongly spoke up for the Climate Emergency Declaration are,

First, let the White Pines Wind Farm start creating clean green energy, since they are standing idle and doing no good for anyone.

Let the tourists know that we in the County are not as stupid as they think we are. Many dozens of tourists have come into my shop, in total disbelief that a government could do such a wasteful , backwards move , as to cancel this project. When I tell them the whole story, they get quite angry at you and Mr. Ford for doing more harm to our already suffering planet.

These visible symbols of hope, standing so gracefully,for all to see,need to be working, as part of our action to try to reverse the effects of climate change.

That is why the County has declared an emergency, because there is one, and it is getting more obvious each and every day.

While our beneficial wind project is being completed (which will only take a few weeks ) and the turbines are getting ready to spin, we need to focus on plastic use, and pushing people to stop the careless and unnecessary use of one time use plastics.

Grocery stores need to do away with plastic bags, plastic packaging and plastic products such as straws, so consumers get in the habit of using reusable bags and containers.

Another idea is to put the rebate back in place for electric car buyers, so that more people will stop using gas guzzling vehicles and go clean.

Another thought is to start replacing each tree taken down by the County along roadsides, with two new ones. Better yet, stop killing all the trees, when they are mainly sugar maples with no health issues. Get someone from Trees for Life because they know trees and are best to asses the health/safety of these trees.

As well as that the clearing of hedge rows must be stopped. Farmers always left them for a reason, now money and greed once again rule and killing the habitat and occupants of the hedgerows has become another reckless and nearsited decision.

Another suggestion to show the County recognizes that we are in a climate emergency,is to stop clear cutting for housing developments, build on non agricultural and non forested/ water habitat areas.

Stop putting money ahead of the health and the well being of all who are living here,

The suggestions are many, but it takes action to put the ideas into motion.So , Mr. Smith and all other politicians, what is YOUR plan to help with this emergency ?

Jen Ackerman Milford
livelaugheatmilford@gmail.com

Climate change needs to be addressed now

(Photo: John Spitters/Quinte News)

MPP Todd Smith’s office was the scene of a protest and educational gathering this afternoon (Friday).

In bright sunshine, about 60 people, young and old, waved signs as they participated in an Earth Hour March from West Zwick’s over the bridge  to Rossmore.

The marchers don’t agree with the provincial government’s cancellation of hundreds of green energy projects including the White Pines wind farm in Prince Edward County.

The marchers waved signs reading “We Support Wind Energy”, “Climate Change is Real”, and “Keep the Earth Icy not Spicy”.

(Photo: John Spitters/Quinte News)

Harley Boyce thought taking part in the Earth Hour March was important enough to miss a couple of classes at Centennial Secondary School.

Meanwhile Mikaela Naumann, also a Centennial Secondary School student, said governments of all types just weren’t doing small things that would make a difference, like phasing out some kinds of plastics, regulating packaging, and banning drive-throughs at restaurants. MORE

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Climate change in spotlight