How Earth hour went

Posted by Magda
Here's one take on how Earth Hour went in Guelph, captured by local photog Ben Benvie. (For the record, the Mercury was hardly dark, either.)

Comments

[grunt]

The exteriorly lighted City Hall is,surely,representative of the pervasive,political, philosophy ,espoused from the "politicos" housed in the "centre of the universe",that is:don't do as I do,do as I say;so what if the floodlights probably burn the equivalent of 100's of 60-watt incandescent light bulbs?Naturally,or unnaturally,the response will be that the "supreme secrets" lodged in City Hall require a level of security above and beyond other structures and,consequently,the spotlights dissuade invaders and must be left burning or,it's a case of "let them eat cake"?

[David Graham]

grunt,

I think a point being missed here is that this photo is clearly a long exposure, likely several seconds in length.

So while there are clearly lights on out front, the photo makes them look much brighter and more pervasive than they are.

Long exposures have that effect.

[grunt]

David Graham:So,what's the point,the lights were still on-bet they couldn't find the switch for the timer?! "...pervasive...",for sure, especially when businesses within spitting distant had turned their lights off-where's the "leadership" now,eh?!

[No Grunts allowed]

Grunt:

Don't you get it, You are not allowed to criticise this hug-in Council, who are so dependent on being baby-sat by the Mayor. (See latest hand-holding re a Ward 2 Councillor on a "Conflict" issue)

The modus operadi of this Council is "do as I say, not do as I do" so it should come as no surprise that the lights at City hall were overlooked. What else did they forget to turn off?
At least it was not as expensive as the $1.3 million that this Council gave to the owners of the Gummer Building without even realizing it.
I shudder to think how they will deal with the Hydro "Merger" AKA - Goodbye Local ownership and Control after over a 100 years of solid reliable service. On the other hand, if Horizon ignores Guelph, and the lights go out more frequently, think of the Carbon Credits we will reap.

[Brian Holstein]

I think that anyone who takes the time to read the news (rather than skim it in a I-told-you-so manner) would find that the councillor in question was from Ward 1, not Ward 2.

Hand-holding? How is that derived from a legal decision? Oh, maybe it becomes so because someone needs another derogatory term to let fly at our council.

"Do as I say and not as I do"? Let's look at Ward 2 (yep, this one is really in Ward 2) Vicki Beard who has done extensive work in creating natural, pollinator-friendly gardens in many of Guelph's backyards. She has not used pesticides for many years (if ever), so it's more "do as I do".

And what about Piper's years of work with Heritage Guelph? Farbridge's green roof? Laidlaw's cycling? Bell's commitment to the environment? Ditto Salisbury? Hoffland's commitment to the Lefarge site?

These are people who have lead, and have asked people to follow them.

And the money to the Gummer building developers? Again, the reading of the facts would make one realize that the money is actually a LOAN. And loans are paid back!

[grunt]

Brian,Brian,Brian:perhaps your hat's**********restricting air supply to *****?Now,now,let's be civil******fool me once*****fool me twice*****.I hear there's a local contest***************guess******in
debt up to its*******and taxes will*******5%+/annum and asphalt will be banned*******(maybe that ban's already*****looking at the sorry state of our roads/bridges).But wait,for $400,000 +++++******* **********locomotive****

[Karen]

I am sure that they could not turn the lights off because they have not had a chance to hire the person (the position was approved in the last budget) whose job it is to reduce costs associated with utilities. This won't be done until it is in someones job description to turn off the lights.

Grunt I agree with you regarding the hand holding a particular ward 1 councillor requires.

Brian because one councillor does an exempliary job it does not mean we give a pass to those that are not.

[Leonard]

It's nice to see that Holstein still doesn't let the facts get in the way of a good storey. He is blinded by his NDP council.

In fact, the $1.3 million for the Gummer building was a grant, a hand out, a gift, to a developer, courtesy of the taxpayer!

Just when does having a green roof suddenly make Farbridge better than the rest of us? She also drives, she also flies. And Laidlaw isn't the only person who cycles - she is likely the only person who cycles and drives and flies all over the country and then critizes anyone else who might not hold her socialist views. I think that fits the definition of hypocrisy quite well and falls into the "do as I say, not as I do" dictatorial category being promoted by Holstein!

[Paul I Nator]

Mr. Holstein:
Thank you for reminding us of the valuable service a Councillor is providing by ensuring the development of a pollinator garden.
This is probably one of the most important accomplishments of the 21st Century.
I do not remember this as being a key component in that election platform, but I can only applaud such foresight. I was getting very tired of taking my liitle pollination brush and cross pollinating the pansies to the azaleas to the irises, to the lillies to the geraniums to the apple trees to the peach trees to - well you get it, I have been as BUSY AS A BEE every summer for the past few years, and I worried as I grew older and less mobile - who would carry on in my absence.
Now I know, and can rest. What a HONEY of a project!
Now if only the Councillor will read the consent agenda!

[Harry Tidge]

Mr. Nator:
Sure that is OK for people like you, but what about people like in my family who react to bee and wasp stings. That can be a life threatening experience.
So if the City is banning things like pesticides, fungicides and herbicides, what is left for us with these sensitivities - SUE-I-Cide?