iN DISCUSSION: Getting cold feet about Daylight Saving Time

This is where cold hard facts give way to the hottest of takes, mostly mine I suppose. I’m the editor, Marshall Jones.

Want to include yours? Listen, this isn’t the comment section, this isn’t social media. Discussion and debate requires context and a wee bit of bravery — we need your name and where you’re writing from. Include it in your account or email me anytime.

---

Guys, I hate to admit it, but I’m kind of getting cold feet about Daylight Saving Time.

The days are already getting short, there’s no getting around that.

But as I seek early morning light later and later in the morning I am reminded that winter darkness is coming.

I am reminded that without ‘falling back’ and changing our clocks, we won’t see sunlight at times this winter until nearly 9 a.m. — closer to 9:30 if you go further north.

That means going to work in the dark, kids waiting for buses in the dark, some won’t see daylight at all.

I was all for this at one time, but what I was mostly in favour of is not changing the clocks anymore, it’s silly.

I just think we’re going to regret not choosing an 8 a.m. winter sunrise.

I hate to even bring this up again, but do you think we made the right decision? Email me at mjones@infonews.ca.

Mj

Marshall Jones

Managing Editor

---

Nominations have closed, we all know who our candidates are, the race is on.

To everyone running in municipal elections this October for the right reasons, whether you win or not, you deserve some thanks. It’s not easy putting yourself forward like that.

Nor should it be.

This isn’t provincial or federal politics where candidates can keep their heads down while their leader or party brings in all the votes (looking at you Tara Armstrong, Kristina Loewen and Macklin McCall), these folks are going to have to distinguish themselves quickly if they haven’t already.

Some cities and towns have literally dozens of candidates. The best critics of these candidates should be the other candidates. Doxx the malfeasants, expose the pretenders, bloody some noses on behalf of a bewildered voting public trying to make sense of all these people they never heard of.

We’re far too polite about this stuff. We should protect these offices and jealously guard the proper administration of our institutions, reserving tar and feathers for those who would interrupt good governance.

All these places should be earned.

What are you looking for this election? Email me at mjones@infonews.ca.

Mj

Marshall Jones

Managing Editor

---

iN RESPONSE

iN RESPONSE to Wednesday’s opinion-editorial on permanent Daylight Saving Time

History from other times and places makes it clear that misalignment of our time zone to our place on the planet does not work. Britain, during the Second World War, adopted double daylight saving time. It was quickly abandoned afterwards because of the lack of light in the mornings. Current, we could have easily adopted Pacific Standard Time year round and avoided darker mornings in winter. This strategy doesn’t create any problems in the summer. Someday we might get right!

— Martin Matthews via email

I’ve never been a fan of stopping the clock changes. I long ago thought that I wouldn’t like getting up in the dark, now I’m positive I don’t like it. Somehow the day just isn’t the same, I feel like I should still be in bed. What am I going to do come November and December when it’s even later before the sun is up and the ‘day’ is more than half gone
And, it’s dark again!? Why couldn’t people just leave this alone, daylight saving has been around their entire lives. It’s not like they weren’t used to it!

— Nancy Ashberry, Kamloops via email

I believe that we should have chosen Standard Time year-round, rather than Daylight Saving Time, for the sake of our body’s natural clock, as well as the longer darkness in winter months. That’s my opinion, we’ll see how year-long DST goes….
Keep up your great work on INFOnews!

— Wayne Willett, Vernon via email

In 2019, when all of BC was polled over whether or not to move to DST permanently, there was no option to choose remaining on Standard Time permanently. That would have been my choice.
On top of my worries about kids going to school in the dark, morning sun has been proven to be the most beneficial. It regulates circadian rhythm which means improved sleep and, in a sleep-deprived society, that would seem to be incredibly important. It improves mood, regulates hormones, provides vitamin D, and may well improve immunity.
I think most of us wanted to avoid having the hassle of changing the clocks twice/annum, but permanent DST wasn’t the way to go.

— Kate Alexander via email

We picked the wrong time zone, we should be staying on standard time, not daylight savings time.

— Ted Guthrie via email

With no disrespect to you (I always read what you write and find your perspectives and outlook thoughtful), I have always wondered why people didn’t see what you are now saying. Kids going to school in the dark has especially bothered me. I appreciate your willingness to say that you may have been wrong – which seems a rare thing these days!

— Mary Lapointe, Kelowna via email

Kamloops mayoral candidate proposes alternative to Hamer-Jackson’s treatment ranch

I do not believe these rehab facilities should be close to the city they should be on an acreage with a fence were they have gardens and things to do to do. A life away from walking down the street. In this city see them everyday sitting on the sidewalk.

— Dave Stobbe via iNFOnews.ca

Carney wants private investors to run Canada’s four largest airports

The only reason the private sector would want to get into this, is if they can make a profit. To do that they either raise fees or cut services. Or both. We don’t need that. Use the profit available to upgrade regional airports.

— Bonnie Derry via iNFOnews.ca

---

Disclaimer: Any views, thoughts, and opinions expressed on this page are solely those of the writer and does not necessarily reflect the views, opinions, policies, or position of the editor, iNFOnews.ca, iNFOTEL MULTIMEDIA, its partners, principals or advertisers.