Climate action supports local

Re: Climate Action and Famine (Letters, September 2). Thanks, Mike Barnes, for your perspective as a local food producer in relation to my call for urgent action to address the climate emergency — and the need to work toward a phasing out of the burning of fossil fuels.

     Yes, for the next few years we will need to continue to use diesel in the production and distribution of food. However, two factors can help us to reduce this dependency:

1. We can all buy locally produced food, supporting local farm families and reducing the need for diesel fuel for transportation of food from elsewhere. (My family and I, and many other County residents are doing so.)

2. Already, important steps are being taken to replace diesel-burning engines in transportation with electric motors. The same electrification will be experienced in agriculture.

As Canadians, we are all painfully aware that U.S. Trade Secretary Howard Lutnick and the Trump Administration are determined to destroy the Canadian car and truck and auto parts manufacturing industry. To combat this move, which Mr. Lutnick claims we cannot prevent, Canada has an opportunity to move increasingly into the production of electric vehicles and related infrastructure. 

     This will require substantial investment by public and private sectors. It will result in the preservation of skilled, high-paying jobs for Canadian workers. (Again I make reference to The Green New Deal promoted by Avi Lewis and the NDP.)

     For any who object to this use of tax dollars, I remind you of the Government action to save the auto sector after the financial crisis of 2008.

Together we as Canadians can and must move forward with decarbonization and diversification of industry and trade.

REVEREND Philip Hobbs, Picton

Flying Kites 

Here’s a new idea to bring enthusiasts to the County!

     I walked with a friend on the shore loop path at Point Traverse on Monday afternoon and found two groups of kite flyers at two separate sites along the road.

     I understand that kite flying and kite fighting is a popular sport among South Asian communities. Clubs from Toronto and from Montreal were getting their kites high in the air, readying for competition at significant altitudes. Quite a sight.

     One of the Montreal members explained that winds off the Point are ideal. 

     Why not consider a Patangbazi tournament here during a shoulder season, timed so that it won’t interfere with bird and butterfly migration!

JC Sulzenko, South Marysburgh 

No Free Parking in Picton

I recently received a $50 parking ticket while parked in the free municipal parking lot on Mary Street. I understand that I may not have been parked in the designated parking space, and I recognize there are parking regulations for a reason.

     But what are local workers supposed to do when there simply isn’t enough parking available?

     I live and work in a small tourist community. During the busy season. Finding a place to park can be extremely difficult. I had to get to work, and I had no reasonable alternative. I wasn’t trying to avoid paying or deliberately break the rules, I was trying to get to my job.

     I even went to Town Hall to appeal the ticket, but my appeal was denied. 

     To make matters worse, the original $50 ticket has now became $90 with interest.

     And this is not the only time I’ve found myself in this situation.

     On another occasion, I was parked on the street while working and had paid for parking. When I needed to add more time, I couldn’t leave my job to get to the meter. I got another parking ticket. 

     At what point do we start to consider the people who actually live and work in Picton? 

     Our town depends heavily on tourism. Restaurants, stores, hotels and other businesses depend on workers being able to get to work. Yet during the very season when tourism is at its busiest, parking is almost impossible.

     I’m not saying there shouldn’t be parking rules. I’m asking whether there are better solutions?

     Could there be designated parking areas for local employees? Seasonal parking permits? Longer-term parking options for people who work on Main Street? Surely a solution can be found.

There must be a fairer way to manage parking during the tourist season. 

Shannon Carter, Picton