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in si de ha lto n. co m O ak vi lle B ea ve r | T hu rs da y, M ay 31 ,2 01 8 | 8 The Oakville Beaver, published every Thursday, is a division of the Metroland Media Group Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Torstar Corporation. The Metroland family of newspapers is comprised of more than 80 community publications across Ontario. The Oakville Beaver is a member of the National NewsMedia Council. Complainants are urged to bring their concerns to the attention of the newspaper and, if not satisfied, write The National NewsMedia Council, Suite 200, 890 Yonge St., Toronto, ON M4W 2H2. Phone: 416-340-1981 Web: www.mediacouncil.ca editor@oakvillebeaver.com facebook.com/OakvilleBeav @OakvilleBeaver ABOUT US Oakville Beaver 901 Guelph Line Burlington, ON L7R 3N8 Phone: 289-293-0617 Classifieds: 1-800-263-6480 Digital/Flyer/Retail: 289-293-0624 Letters to the editor All letters must be fewer than 200 words and include your name and telephone number for verification purposes. We reserve the right to edit, condense or reject letters. Delivery For all delivery inquiries, please e-mail kmossman@metroland.com or call 905-631-6095. CONTACT US VP, Regional Publisher Kelly Montague kmontague@metroland.com | 289-293-0614 Director Advertising Daniel Baird dbaird@metroland.com | 289-293-0624 Regional Managing Editor Catherine O'Hara cohara@metroland.com | 289-293-0615 Regional Manager Digital Content Karen Miceli Director of Distribution Charlene Hall Circulation Manager Kim Mossman kmossman@metroland.com | 905-631-6095 Director of Production Mark Dills Regional Production Manager Manny Garcia WHO WE ARE OPINION The decision by Kathleen Wynne's Liberals to sell off 53 per cent of the province's share of Hydro One has become a millstone around the party's neck. While the gas plant, Ornge and eHealth scandals, and the OPP investigations that have faded into the background, it is the hydro sell off that has touched an emotional nerve among voters. The decision to sell off the shares and use the $9.2 billion for transit infrastructure and pay down debt may have been a calculated decision in 2015, but it has come back to haunt the party. The partial privatization didn't stop the escalating hydro rates that began a year later. This forced the Liberals to borrow more money under their Fair Hy- dro Plan in order to cut electricity rates by 25 per cent, and up to 40 per cent in rural areas. The cost to taxpay- ers, once the plan expires, could be as high as $45 bil- lion. The real consternation during this contentious election season is that no other party has proposed a sustainable solution to Ontario's hydro problems. Doug Ford's Progressive Conservatives, which in the past favoured privatizing Hydro One, have no plan, except to cut an additional 12 per cent in electricity rates on top of the 25 per cent, without telling anybody how they will do it. Ford has also trumpeted firing Hydro One's chief executive officer - the so-called "$6-million man" - and the agency's board of directors which recently boosted its own salaries. It's a move that garners screaming headlines, satisfies the braying masses, but does noth- ing to solve Ontario's energy concerns. The NDP has a questionable proposal to buy back the 313 million shares of Hydro One, which could take over 20 years, with taxpayers shouldering the finan- cial burden. And the much touted Green party talks about shut- tering nuclear power plants, which provide 60 per cent of Ontario's electricity, because of the high cost of operation and upgrades. Instead of calling for executives' heads, the parties should be debating real change such as improving the Green Energy Act; eliminating the Global Adjustment Fund; allowing the Ontario Energy Board to review existing costs; and removing the cap on market value assessment on wind turbines to allow municipalities to reap the revenue benefits. All three parties are to blame for where Ontario's energy is today, but pointing fingers isn't the way to solve the problem. A more sustainable energy model that addresses climate change and provides appropri- ate electricity rates will mollify the screaming masses than any symbolic gestures. Power outrage shouldn't be shocking If last month's Hamilton Amateur Astronomers talk has left you yearning to learn more about astropho- tography, then you don't want to miss the next meet- ing. On June 8, from 7:30-9:30 p.m. at the Hamilton Specta- tor, 44 Frid St., Ron Brecher will present "Introduction to Deep-Sky Image Processing with PixInsight." PixInsight has become a popular image processing software package, especially for deep-sky astrophotogra-for deep-sky astrophotogra-f phy. Ron has used PixInsight for all of his deep sky pro-for all of his deep sky pro-f cessing since 2009. He will show you how you can reveal the hidden treasures in your deep-sky images with just a few processing steps.few processing steps.f The event is free, door prizes and everybody wel- come. An optional food bank donation of non-perishable goods will be collected. Here are June stargazing events, which are listed in the 2018 Hamilton Amateur Astronomers calendar. June 15: June 15: J Thin crescent Moon below Venus at sun- down. June 19: June 19: J Venus is ex- tremely close to the Beehive star cluster low in the eve- ning twilight sky. June 21: June 21: J Summer offi- cially begins with the sol- stice at 6:07 a.m. June 23: June 23: J The Moon is close to Jupiter in the eve- ning sky. June 27: June 27: J Saturn is at op- position and will be at its brightest and closer to the Earth than at any other time of the year. It can be seen all night, rising and pairing closely with the bright full Moon against the backdrop of the Milky Way in the southeast at sundown and setting in the south west at sunrise. It should be spectacular. For more information,For more information,F see the Hamilton Amateur Astronomers website (ama- teurastronomy.org) or call 905-627-4323. The club offers a basic astronomy course for members. - Mario Carr is the club's director of publicity and can be reached at mariocarr@cogeco.ca or on Twitter (@MarioCCarr). Uncovering hidden gems of your night sky photography Ron Brecher presents 'Introduction to Deep-Sky Image Processing with PixInsight' June 8, writes Carr MARIO CARR Column