Complex memories: I enjoyed reading the stories about Powell River Recreation Complex [“Powell River Recreation Complex 40 years,” December 9]. It brought back many memories for me as well.
My husband Derek, who died 14 years ago, was an elected alderman on council at the time, along with Jack Liebenschel and Ted Williams. He came home from his first meeting and said, “Guess who got the complex? The greenhorn.” As a brand new elected official, he was the first to receive the portfolio for the new recreation facility.
In my younger days I made good use of the complex pool. My children also used it frequently for swimming and skating, and my grandchildren have gone there, too. We all enjoyed it.
Marjorie Francis
Duncan Street
Help for stranded travellers
I recently drove a friend on the provincial Travel Assistance Program (TAP) to Comox for a medical appointment that required surgery. It was extremely stormy during the day and evening and there were numerous cancellations for the ferry back to Powell River [“Strong winds take toll,” November 18].
We headed for the first ferry. It was cancelled and never sailed until that evening when the wind let down. I was told the last ferry three days earlier had also been cancelled and people had spent the night at the terminal during the howling storm, and the remainder of the day until the ferry ran the following evening.
We were in the position to pay for a hotel the day of her surgery for recovery. We were also able to go back to the hotel in the morning and get a late checkout while we waited for word of when the ferry was going to run. We were the lucky ones.
There were people on the boat that night who had surgery, but had to wait in their cars for hours post-surgery. I was appalled that there is no program to accommodate folks who maybe can’t afford the accommodation.
Wouldn’t it be easier for the provincial government to also have a partnership with a hotel in the area for folks who are in severe post-operation pain and recovery so they don’t have to wait in a car stuck at a ferry terminal for nearly 24 hours?
I was advised this happens often; people have no funds or anywhere to go in extreme weather conditions. I would encourage all readers to contact their MLA and send a letter to the program and request they implement an emergency-accommodation program for those in need. I know I will.
Holly Page
Former Powell River resident
Generous gesture
When my mother passed away in 2013 our family turned to Patrick Gisle and Stubberfield Funeral Home in Powell River to help us with the arrangements, service and burial. I can say with great confidence that we were looked after professionally and with compassion.
When the time came to purchase a marker for my mother’s grave I chose a different local company [“Agency revokes funeral services licence,” August 26]. That turned out to be a mistake, more than a mistake, actually. Without going into the details, that marker was never delivered and we were out $656.25.
Last week, more than a year later, a stone marker was personally delivered to me in Powell River by Eric Toneff from Toneff Funeral Services in Comox Valley. Toneff had become aware that we had been ill-treated and he contacted me to offer a replacement marker at no charge. He explained he was aware of our problem and felt the need to remedy our situation. He was gracious as well as generous.
I have also spoken with Gisle who expressed many of the same concerns for our situation as Toneff. Both men were anxious to remedy a situation that could have made the funeral business look bad. Instead, their commitment to our family has confirmed the caring nature of their businesses.
Thank you again to Toneff for looking after us when someone else absolutely did not.
Robert Dufour
Selkirk Avenue
