IPP Screwing (05.12.06)
It was a great day. Sunny but not too hot, it was the
kind of day that lends itself nicely to pursuits of leisure and afternoon
walks by the river. The evening sun was thinking about climbing the Chief
and the bright clouds set a dramatic scene. Hang on, that’s a dark
cloud. Well would you look at that, someone’s backyard is on fire.
After moments the sirens could be heard and neighbors could breath a little
easier (give it up for the red truck).
Once the immediate danger was over,
there’s nothing quite like a disaster to bring everyone together.
People came from all over the hood to see what all the smoke was about.
Backyards were full, there was leisurely talk over fences. “hey,
howsitgoin’” that sort of thing. It was my first impromptu
neighborhood party and it was nice to see everyone out talking and socializing
around the fire. Well, if a fire is all it takes to bring a group together
what say we fire up that podium in the council chambers. After all the
brew-ha-ha it looks like they could use a good campfire. The worst part
is how ‘old married couple’ the fighting is. Both sides mad
at the same thing but both hell bent on ruffling each others feathers.
For those just tuning in, Meet Bill 30. Bill’s
nothing short of a bastard that once again allows the BC Liberals to completely
screw over BC communities. This time they’re creating a law stripping
local governments power to have any input regarding local Power Projects.
Of course this affects all municipalities but appears to be created due
to the Squamish Lilloet Regional District saying we’re not doing
anything without a plan. They actually had to say that twice. Sounds reasonable
enough, doesn’t it? When we’re dealing with our provinces
ownership of the most precious resource in the world, it’s probably
best to have a plan. Well it appears the only plan is for the province
to just hand everything over to private companys. But to avoid the unpopular
optics of using evil Bill 17, in true Gordo style, they shove it in the
backdoor. This thing is so underhanded that if they didn’t make
the laws it would be illegal.
Encouragingly, with our authority being stripped our
Council immediately penned a letter rightly telling them to piss off.
Corrine also wanted to send one re-stating our displeasure with the idea
of an IPP on the Ashlu. This caused a heated debate. Hello?! The BC Liberals
are stealing our power and we’re infighting? The two statements
are indeed apples and oranges but really we should be getting some banana’s
and kiwi’s and huck the whole lot at the crooks. Sticking with the
fruit thing, our water is a ripe cherry that is being plucked by some
very dirty hands. Unless we take a deep breath and act with a unifying
voice we’re not going to be in a position to do anything but take
it.
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