First Quarter of the Moon Blues: Tuesday, July 9th!

As a child I was taught that to tell the truth was often painful. As an adult I have learned that not to tell the truth is more painful, and that the fear of telling the truth -- whatever the truth may be -- that fear is the most painful sensation of a moral life. -June Jordan, writer, teacher, and activist (9 Jul 1936-2002) 

Open Letter in support of the residential solar net-metering appeal to Penticton Council:                                                         

July 9^th, 2019, Dear City Council:

My wife, (Corinne Durston), and I, (Patrick Dunn), live at 611 Burns Street and have recently had 18 solar panels installed on our roof, as well as a Tier Two Charging Station for our 2019 eKona, this past June. Even though we were informed, by the company we engaged, that the city had changed the rates for purchasing excess power we proceeded with the installation for a number of reasons, principally because we wished to reduce our household carbon footprint and see solar energy as one critically important way to address climate change.

 As far as I am aware, there was no public notice given of the proposed change or an earlier opportunity for concerned citizens to address this unilateral decision. While this is both unconscienceable and undemocratic, the change is not only a significant disincentive for potential solar customers but also, far more importantly, flies directly in the face of the city’s responsibility to encourage, foster and champion any and all initiatives which contribute to reducing its carbon footprint.

Again, as I understand things, Penticton receives tax rebates, from the province, for any legitimately documented reductions in its carbon footprint. This being the case, why would council penalize those of its citizens who are contributing to this reduction? It should rather be actively supporting and encouraging householders, and businesses, to do the same, not providing barriers. Again, as far as I’m aware, the same solar net-metering formula is not applied in surrounding jurisdictions, in Summerland, Oliver and Osoyoos, for example. Just a day ago, both West Vancouver and the District of North Vancouver voted to declare an emergency with respect to climate change. The latter is now moving forward, quickly, on putting infrastructure in place for electric vehicles to reduce emissions.

The recent wildfires and floods which have, to date, greatly affected the tourist industry, and other related businesses, not to mention the health and welfare of local inhabitants, will only increase in frequency and destructive magnitude if all levels of government do not act. Immediately is almost too late given obvious, past bureaucratic indecision and inaction, at all levels of governance, in the face of these environmental crises. There is no question that Canadian society, at large, and our community of Penticton, in particular, bear moral and financial imperatives to mitigate these catastrophic events, undeniably driven by the forces of climate change. To believe otherwise is to whistle in the dark, to willfully ignore scientific evidence and the dreadful, life-altering changes we see and experience every day, here and around the world.

On this issue, and many other related matters, Penticton has an opportunity to show strong leadership. Much, much can be done at the local, municipal level and it is the council’s responsibility to lead the city into a far, far more sustainable future. We do not have time, as a human race, to allow profit driven development to come first. We can start locally. Unless we strive, citizens and the councilors elected to serve us, together, to change the way we lead our lives there will, all too quickly, be no Penticton or larger Okanagan Valley to develop and enjoy. Measures must simply be enacted now as the latest horizon reported, for reduction in emissions, is twelve years and counting!

The first order of the day is to attempt to halt and redress, however we can, the wrongs we have wreaked upon the larger environment. One relatively easy way is to change the net-metering billing process, to reward rather than punish. I trust the council will see fit to make this proposed change. Act now, today, and similarly, for better tomorrows to come. One small step for Penticton. One unimaginably important gesture of support for Mother Earth. Respectfully submitted, Corinne Durston and Patrick Dunn

Hi Janelle! Here is my latest revision. I've made a few changes in the hope of making it a stronger document. Furthermore, will there be an opportunity to join the delegation on July 16th? Thanks and Cheers, Patrizzio!

Great letter! Off to market at the community centre with Barb and Quinn. Going to Lynette's brothers for a drink around 4. They dropped in here yesterday for a brief visit. Will be staining wall later this week outside near the bay windows. George sanding it today. Did some staining at the back door and it looks so much better. Hope my flight happens on Friday. Swoop has cancelled alot of flights recently. Still no word from Saturdays wedding couple. Hugs XX00 CoraLee

Hi Goils! Lovely to hear your dulcet voice this evening, Darjeeling, even if it was tinged with crabbiness as a result of your mosquitoe bites! After dinner, [roast pork with ginger slices, surrounded by kartofellage; our yellow zucchini in pesto and a mixed salad prepared with our own radishes, oniones and cherry tomatoes.], we went outside to cut some bouquets of lavender and were "supervised' by both Etta and Duke. Ellen came over to chat with Chloë as she and Bill were on their deck with their grandchildren. Amanda came over to give me the key to her house so that I can let Roman in and out and feed/water him while they are in Castlegar. She told us that Etta chased him all over their house earlier today! Some people's cats!

Sorry it has taken me so long to thank you, Ayn, for the lovely Father's Day gift, a spiffy pair of shoes, slip-ons, that I exchanged for the Birkenstocks Chloë originally bought, from you two. Your Mother almost fell off the kitchen bar-stool when she saw what I brought home. Wanted them for our coming trip so thanks very much. Latest snapolas of The Young Hollywood Starlet, Olivia Gypsy Rose Princess are wonderful! Who is her agent?

Will be pretty busy until I collect Her Imperiousness at Swoopsville Arrivals, I hope! Physio tomorrow at 9:30 am, bit of grocery shopping afterwards and then home to do my shouldares while watching the Tour. [Thanks for bike video, via Chloë, Xavier! Always something new!] Green New Deal Town Hall meeting at 6:30 pm. Massage, with the gift certificate you gave me, on Thursday, with Caithy Boyle. Also signed up for the Climate Advocacy training seminar put on by Citizens' Climate Lobby on Sunday, July 21st while you are marrying people!

Must away to read. Much love to one and all. Fondestos and Cheers, Dad/Patrizzio! Pics: Basket Case and Armchair Boy! Supervising watering this morning! I used water from our four barrels, filled to the brim with much needed rain of a few days ago. Prize zucchini and tonight's salad fixings; drying lavender. Chloë put up the bouquet before she left. PS: Telus bill on my phone: $320.88 due by July 31st.

Hi Kaeshammer Fiends! Trust you are both well. Just wondering what time you plan to arrive. Will you check in to Deep Roots before coming here? I will drive to Kelowna this coming Friday to collect Lady Dar, [If Swoop doesn't cancel flight!], around noon. All going well should be home between 2:00 pm-3:00pm, earlier if arrival and traffic cooperate! Let me know your plans. We can always leave a key with Etta and Duke! Stay well, dear friends. Chat soon. Fondestos and Cheers, Patrizzio!