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Letters: Honorable invite; Divisive decision; Lack of ABE puzzling

Honorable invite This past weekend we watched the Hɛhɛwšɩn (The Way Forward) Reconciliation Canoe Journey Project launch at Willingdon Beach, [“Reconciliation Conversation Series launches,” November 8] then participated in the lunch and ceremony at C

Honorable invite

This past weekend we watched the Hɛhɛwšɩn (The Way Forward) Reconciliation Canoe Journey Project launch at Willingdon Beach, [“Reconciliation Conversation Series launches,” November 8] then participated in the lunch and ceremony at Cedar Hall.

We hesitate to say it was an honour to be involved, as that would suggest a continued separation; a “thank you for inviting us” sentiment. A more accurate reflection is that we were overwhelmed with the sense of community and togetherness, and most importantly, openness.

The people-based rather than institutional-based nature of the event changed the entire ambience. Speeches delivered during the lunch were heartfelt, personal and mesmerizing. We were so impressed by the strength and pride of all involved, and this was reflected in the most powerful performance from the Tla’amin singers and drummers (and guests) we have ever heard.

We would like to offer a very sincere thank you for allowing the whole community to be involved in this journey. We offer thanks to all those who made this happen, from the overall organizers, carvers and knowledge-sharers to those who provided healthy snacks on the beach, cooked an impressive stew and washed dishes.

You have made this community a better place. You should be proud.

The Cocksedge family
Stager Road


Divisive decision

A name change should be seen as an opportunity for the community to come together, open a dialogue and work together toward something meaningful [“Board approves regional district name change,” November 1]. It should be something that unifies the electorate, not divides it.

I attended the Area B public engagement session in regard to the Powell River Regional District name change. I was curious to hear the cost, since electoral area administration costs increased by more than 300 per cent in the last year.

Regional district board chair Patrick Brabazon said it would be a "negligible" administrative cost and that we had two choices: support “qathet" as given, no alterations, no hyphens, no capital Q, no referendum and no compromises; or, oppose it, and that will be the end of it.

This divided the community. The meeting became very heated and emotional. Forgiveness is one-sided, reconciliation is not. It felt as though this "gift" had been turned into an insult toward constituents.

I could not support this behaviour. I circled “opposed” and submitted a form with my signature.

The majority of rural directors voted for the decision to go to referendum, but the municipal directors called it a red herring and voted it down. They counted 53 per cent support and 47 per cent opposed from two per cent of the population, and then published the names, signatures and opinions of every letter, form and email they received.

I will never again share my opinions with the regional district, unless it is protected by the ballot. I hope this does not further divide a community trying to work together.

Mark Gisborne
Powell River Regional District Area B

 

Lack of ABE puzzling

I am puzzled by the lack of opportunities for basic adult education ["University keeps adult basic education classes on hold," November 15].

The provision of seven levels of foundational English and six levels of foundational math would involve one instructor at a cost of approximately $2,500 per instructional month.

I visit Powell River annually and, to a retired educator such as myself, this sounds like a political decision, not based on the needs of the people of Powell River.

Joyce O'Reilly
Burnley, England