Smart meter fears prompt director’s motion
PENTICTON – The debate around smart meters in the South Okanagan was recharged following a director’s motion at a Regional District Okanagan SImilkameen board meeting last week.
Electoral area 'D' Director Tom Siddon introduced a motion calling for a moratorium on smart meter installation in his area, inciting what Siddon called 'a worthwhile debate' amongst the directors.
Siddon noted more than 60 municipalities, regional districts and First Nation governments in B.C. have already called for a moratorium on mandatory installation of smart meters until an opt-out option is made available. He said smart meters currently being installed in his electoral area were being installed without the consent of the homeowner, and were not UL or CSA certified.
The Heritage Hills-Lakeshore Highlands Resident’s Association unanimously adopted a motion in December 2014 requesting the regional district pass a resolution opposing the installation of smart meters in area 'D.'
Siddon noted more than 230 residents of the South Okanagan-Similkameen have signed a petition in recent weeks calling on the district to decline approval for any installation of smart meters until safety and human health risks have been clearly disproven by scientific fact.
“I think the directors felt it was important to discuss the issues related to smart meters,” Siddon said following discussion over the motion, which passed, unamended, by a vote of 12-5. “Some people might say I’m off my rocker for supporting this, but if someone doesn’t speak up, how will these issues be addressed? There are a lot of people in area 'D' who are concerned about this.“
Citizens in the Similkameen also expressed their concern last week, when a small group of protestors met in front of Keremeos Village Office to condemn Keremeos Mayor Manfred Bauer for voting against Siddon’s motion. The rally then circled the town, returning to the village office.
The regional district will now petition Premier Christy Clark, Minister of Health Terry Lake, and the Chief Medical Officer of B.C. to 'acknowledge the real and rapidly increasing dangers of wireless radiation in all forms.'
The petition will also request acknowledgement that 'current exposure guidelines based on Health Canada’s Safety Code six, are outdated and inappropriate and do not protect citizens of the (regional district), or indeed all British Columbians, from serious chronic health effects resulting from long term exposure to increasingly hazardous levels of wireless electromagnetic radiation.'
The motion also requests the B.C. Utilities Commission to immediately cease installation of smart meters in the regional district, in addition to removing all those currently installed in area 'D,' at Fortis’ cost.
To contact the reporter for this story, email Steve Arstad at sarstad@infonews.ca or call 250-488-3065. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.
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10 responses
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Derek Ward on dec 1st 2014 2 technicians marched into my pregnant daughters home without notice of any kind and installed a smart meter- a week later it filled with water, so her husband ( the holder of the account who never received written notice or notice of an option to shut the wifi off either as promised) called them and made them come back and replace said meter AND the eroded and bent plate it was mounted on as well! he was told the techs only get 10 days training and are sent out on their own with NO supervision in pairs to install these things- in other words, they aren’t electricians and most don’t have a clue* – my daughter never once breathed a word of anything to anyone about smart meters lol- so no.. sometimes they do follow through with notice and sometimes not- I thinkit depends on if you DEMAND prior notice- they don’t want people putting a ‘stay of installation’ into play through the courts- that’s why they don’t keep their promise unless you have made a stink!
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I have never been informed off meter replacement and I have rental property as well.
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There won’t BE an economoy to worry about if we don’t STOP these IDIOTS from doing this to us. NDP and GET RID OFF ALL smart meters in BC!http://www.comoxvalleyrecord.com/opinion/297557521.html
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Interesting, in my case I got letters and a phone call prior to installation. Also the installer knocked on my door to let me know what he was going to do. As were all my friends and neighbours. Strange how only the anti smart meter people were not notified. Perhaps this is more misinformation, exaggeration and outright lies from the anti smart meter conspiracy people?
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Feb 09, 2015 — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HiPBJD-UKUo#t=51 Thank you Pat Rullo and Sebastian Sanzotta for your wonderful radio show and the courage to get the truth out about the issues… Read moreFeb 09, 2015 — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HiPBJD-UKUo#t=51 Thank you Pat Rullo and Sebastian Sanzotta for your wonderful radio show and the courage to get the truth out about the issues… Read more”Boil the Frog Slowly” radio show interview with a “Hearer” and Petition Organizer.Feb 09, 2015 — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HiPBJD-UKUo#t=51 Thank you Pat Rullo and Sebastian Sanzotta for your wonderful radio show and the courage to get the truth out about the issues… Read morehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HiPBJD-UKUo#t=51
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another tool to axe more decent paying jobs, how will our economy ever get going to make all these huge corporations richer? Middle class=slave
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Health Canada says smart meters are safe. The vast majority of scientists say smart meters are safe. A few Chicken Littles and fringe scientists are fear mongering with irrational and unscientific worries about smart meters. Many of the people doing this fear mongering are benefitting financially from this fear mongering.
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