Letters: August 15/13

Aug 15, 2013

Sydenham: from History to Mystery

Occasionally I will give a brief read through one of the local “regional” newspapers to get an idea of what’s “going on” in and around the vast Frontenac area. The community reporting section gives quite a good run-down of the local events, fairs and gatherings that are held, especially in the spring, summer and fall of the year. Festivals, farmers markets, community barbeques dot the landscape from Arden to Tichborne, Denbigh to Verona and all points in-between and afar, with one glaring exception: Sydenham!

Here is a place steeped in history, a stopping point on the railroad and a mini-mecca of industry during the turn of the century. The passage of time has not been as kind to Sydenham as it appears to have been to other Frontenac communities. Traditions here have waned, what were annual celebrations have become question marks on a yearly basis. Events that once could be counted on have become part of a debate or budget consideration as to whether they will continue on. Here lies the mystery; where has all the tradition gone in Sydenham? Where is the desire to make the village interesting again?

The Blue Skies Music Festival, Verona Cattail Festival, Flinton Jamboree, Elphinfest. Seriously I could sneeze once and miss Elphin, yet there it is hosting a festival! “Good on you” Elphin! Folks, these little towns are miles from the City of Kingston, but they are rocking and jamming and having a good ol’ time. Sydenham is only 20 kilometers north of Kingston, and yet I never hear of a festival or jamboree happening here; not even a farmers market. A lot of small communities are holding onto their markets or creating new ones, so why can’t Sydenham?

I seem to recall a local canoeing and kayaking outfit that held annual races on Sydenham Lake; that seems to have gone the way of the railroad and farmers markets. I am not trying to run Sydenham down here, I am simply wondering why I have to go “somewhere else” to be entertained, follow traditions or buy local produce?

The mystery to me is why? Are Sydenham’s eggs all in one basket? Is the direction or lack thereof of this village dependant on the whims of a few and not the general population? Or is it just possible that nobody really cares and we can all just go elsewhere to enjoy small town Ontario?

Bored in Sydenham,
Terry French

Re: North Frontenac Dark Skies Preserve

How wonderful that, after it was first thought about a decade ago, this project has seen its way to completion. It has come a long way since I first set up my "backyard" telescope overlooking Marble Lake, and wondered if anyone else might similarly appreciate the celestial awe that I could see in the dark skies over North Frontenac. Luckily, Betty Hunter shared the same enthusiasm back then. I moved away, my co-councillor Betty stayed (and obviously kept up her interests in both Dark Skies and local politics), and so the idea has become a reality. Kudos to Councillor Hunter, the Task Force, and all others who believed in, persevered, and worked towards a Dark Skies Preserve for beautiful North Frontenac. I will one day come back to enjoy this rare recreational opportunity.

Will Cybulski,
former municipal councilor, North Frontenac Township

Re: North Frontenac Township Solar panels

Just a few more words to say in addition to North Frontenac Councilor Lonnie Watkins' last letter to the editor, (Letters, To North Frontenac Rate Payers, Aug 1/13) opposing the passing of a project for solar panels to be installed on some of North Frontenac's municipal buildings. If any one wants to install solar for their own personal use, that’s a good thing. But when solar is installed to sell back to the grid, creating excess power that our province has to sell off at a loss (so we are actually paying other provinces and states to take our excess power), Don’t Do It! That is negatively affecting my Hydro One bill. That process of creating power is costing me money. Go Green but not on the backs of others. Rethink this.

Carol Hillier

Re: North Frontenac Township solar panels

I wish to congratulate Mayor Clayton and the NF Council for the controversial reversal of its decision (on July 29) regarding the solar microFIT project for the roof of the township administrative office. The project cost of $56,741 will result in revenue of over $100,000 over the 20-year life of the contract. But it’s not only about the economics of the project.

It is becoming increasingly obvious that our way of life, which is based on a fossil-fuel economy, cannot continue endlessly without the dire consequences predicted by over 97% of the world’s scientists and climatologists. Climate change is not coming, it is here. We have now entered the era of consequences predicted decades ago by climate experts.

What was disappointing about the reversal of the decision is that it was not unanimous. One councillor said that “Ontario people have to make up the excess cost” and not the NF taxpayers. But we the taxpayers are the Ontario people. We must take the initiative and not always wait for others to act. Another councillor objecting to the project said “I think you are raping the citizens.....it doesn’t make any economic sense.” Unfortunately such short-sightedness is common and continues to be a significant obstacle in the painful shift to renewable energies such as solar, wind, geothermal, etc.

I have just returned from Climate Leadership training held in Chicago by the Climate Reality Project. There are over 5,000 Climate Reality leaders worldwide, 500 of whom are from Canada.

Rolly Montpellier

Re: North Frontenac Township solar panels

Lonnie Watkins states in the Aug 1 2013 edition of the Frontenac News  (Letters, To North Frontenac Rate Payers, Aug 1/13) that it is ludicrous for senior taxpayers to invest in a green energy program where they will not see a payback during their lifetime. Climate change and the ecological crisis it brings comes from our failure to stop destructive processes. We are heading towards a catastrophe that could soon be irreversible. We, as earth's inhabitants, must take into account the well being of future generations. Short term thinking has no place in the discussion. We need courageous politicians who make decisions that are consistent with long term sustainability objectives.

Carolyn McCulloch