ONLINE SURVEY

We asked: Should Summerland reconsider the solar project?

• Yes 84%

•No 16%

(Total votes: 362)

Today’s question: Do you agree with Penticton City Council’s move to deny an extension for the homeless shelter located at the old Victory Church?

Visit: pentictonherald.ca.

The online survey can be found on our home page.

DEAR EDITOR:

A couple of points I wish to make about the Summerland solar project and Council’s accountability and transparency.

Coun. Richard Barkwill’s first presentation of data, albeit contrary to popular belief, it nevertheless stated that solar energy can produce triple the amount of GHG than hydro produced power.

This fist data was discussed in council and didn’t sway any positions, and ultimately they voted against delaying the project.

The second event was when he received clarification to his data, that he hoped to present to council, however, since he had not personally reviewed the data, he decided not to proceed. It was at this point when some council members took to criticizing Coun. Barkwill’s actions.

In my opinion, Coun. Barkwill is demonstrating transparency in disclosing new information that he felt worthy for discussion and he wanted to make this available to the citizens.

In life we sometimes make decisions based on intuition, but this was not the situation here. I am not saying intuition doesn’t have its place, but it can never replace facts.

The democratic process is not a fast one, it can be lengthy, complicated and sometimes expensive to administer. It is a process that must be followed cradle to grave.

Because something is initially approved at the outset it must continue along further stages. This doesn’t mean the transaction is completely approved.

I commend Coun. Barkwill for following the facts as much as possible and therefore being accountable to the citizens. This reflects and demonstrates a style as to how one acts and manages their responsibility to govern, and we need to respect one person’s method of managing and communicating it.

I have no problem with Coun. Barkwill’s style of representation, and in fact, I prefer that style versus someone who is not objective or makes predetermined decisions without having enough facts.

And just for the record, I think this issue should have been split in two separate processes. Firstly, on merit of a solar system and separately on merit of location.

My belief, most of the hubbub was to do with the location of the project, not the project itself.

Sam Elia Summerland