Letters: November 11, 2015

Lucky and enough: Regarding council’s compensation [“Mayor calls for discussion on pay,” October 28] and George Orchiston’s comment in a letter last issue [“Pay raises,” November 4], two words come to mind: lucky and enough.

I feel lucky to have jobs as personally fulfilling as I have. I’m lucky for my day job’s flexibility to accommodate the time I need to serve our community on city council, and I’m lucky my jobs provide enough compensation for me, my family and future. That’s all I need; enough. What I get is way more than enough.

I have meaningful, fulfilling work, and fine, talented, committed colleagues and friends. By my measure, that’s more than enough; I’m wealthy.

All this is in addition to simply getting to live in this place and this community. Enough? More than that. Lucky.

Rob Southcott, Gordon Avenue

As a visitor here for the winter, I found it interesting to attend the open house arranged by the PRSC Limited Partnership and Island Timberlands [“Foundation provides hope for heart of community,” November 4].

The presentation appeared not to address many, if any, of the concerns expressed by members of the audience. Even the format was a source of dissent. Harvesting plans were clearly but briefly laid out for folks who seemed not to want any logging at all. A bit off target, I would say!

I discovered that subsequent land development is a significant underlying motive for the logging. But I ask, for what? There does not seem to be a big demand to warrant such an ambitious venture. Just witness the vacant lots above the high school.

William Lytle-McGhee, Maple Avenue

I attended a packed meeting at the Town Centre Hotel, hosted by Island Timberlands on Wednesday, October 28 [“Foundation provides hope for heart of community,” November 4]. The open house was regarding Lot 450.

One question on my mind was that If we have been recently awarded the accolade of least polluted city in the world by the Guinness Book of Records how will the dropping of 135 hectares of trees in the centre of our town affect that title?

I fail to see how clear cutting a huge area of trees that we walk through and drive by every day is in line with that. Yes, trees are a valuable commodity and people make a living from the cutting and processing of those trees. But the trees that are in the middle of our town are also local air filters and carbon collectors that benefit the health and wellbeing of our community and assist in combating climate change.

The bears have been our barometer of climate change; they have been starving and drawn to our town for food and survival. The berries were too early, the salmon minimal.

I feel grateful that we have Millennium Park saved, but can we not also protect more of Lot 450 or at least log areas selectively with large buffers for roads and riparian areas?

It is understood that part of these lands will be the home of the university for Sino Bright, which will become a welcome addition but Jenny Garden is heading up a  mission to raise the funds to purchase some areas of interest.

Will Island Timberlands consider these special circumstances of our central greenspace?

Lesley Thorsell, Hammond Street

Today Taylor Campbell, on behalf of the Powell River chapter of the Council of Canadians, collected water from the Pacific Ocean to be sent to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to encourage him to be more forward-thinking about fossil fuels than outgoing Prime Minister Stephen Harper [“Blaney Secured federal NDP spot,” October 21].

It is a symbolic gesture, echoed by people across Canada, to rivet the new government’s attention to climate change and the effect on all of us. Water is essential to all life. It cannot be continued to be seen as a commodity to be abused for short-term gain.

The future belongs to Taylor and her generation. Do we stand with her and a sustainable future or with corporate greed and their immediate financial future?

Trish Cocksedge, Huntingdon Street

I don’t know why city council is having so much trouble dealing with this issue [“Derelict building attracts attention,” October 28].

Maybe there is more going on than I am aware of, but there are a few things I do know. There is a city bylaw that deals with these types of issues. There is a procedure under the bylaw that the city has at its disposal to give notice to the registered owner of the building. There is a procedure for the owner to appeal the imposing of the bylaw.

BC’s Community Charter legislation is, to my mind, pretty clear on the issue on whether the city has the power to do this. It states, in part, “a council may, by bylaw, regulate, prohibit and impose requirements in relation to…buildings and other structures.” It also states that a city can  “require persons to do things with their property, to do things at their expense and to provide security for fulfilling a requirement.”

Regardless of who owns the building, who speaks to it, the city needs to send out the registered letter putting the owner on notice that this derelict building needs to be dealt with, and at the very least this would put Seaboard Hotels in the position of coming up with a plan.

Why is the city wrestling with what to do with it? It is up to the owner to provide council with a plan to deal with it.

Al Drummond, Skeena Street

We recently returned home to Powell River after living out of province for 30 years. Our memories of the mountains, ocean, family and friends lured us back to this idyllic town.

We have marvelled at the views from our home: eagles, whales, dolphins and, more frequently, raccoons, deer and bears.

With each sighting of these beautiful animals we consider ourselves very fortunate to live here. Sadly, not everyone shares our passion for nature.

The number of bears that have been destroyed in Powell River this year is appalling. I have read in the Peak that 26 bears in total have been destroyed [“More bears destroyed,” October 21].

Recently, a young cub was seen on Marine Avenue. The moment I saw it I phoned agencies in the Lower Mainland that rehabilitate wildlife. Critter Care in Langley immediately responded and said they had room for the cub.

I was instructed to call the conservation officers in the area as they have sent small bears to their facility in the past. I informed them of Critter Care’s eagerness to help. I was there was still fruit on the trees and grass to be eaten and they would not intervene and would let nature take its course.

My concern is if the bear becomes comfortable with people and habituated to garbage, it will be labelled a nuisance bear and be destroyed.

The wellbeing of this animal is at risk. In my opinion, if it survives the winter it will be a miracle. I would hate to see this little bear destroyed.

With agencies in place to help this bear, can we not look at sending him to Critter Care in Langley?

Elizabeth Douglas, Marine Avenue

Having now called Powell River home for just over a year, its provided my partner and I more then a few opportunities to get acquainted with the community

We’ve been to the Blackberry Festival, become a member of the Powell River trail running club, enjoyed an epic array of yoga and fitness classes and have caught Claudia Medina’s premier of her amazing film showcasing Kathaumixw and its partnership with Sliammon. Most recently, we attended the Haunted Ball [“Haunted ball celebrates sacred and silly,” October 28] this past Saturday out in Townsite.

When we arrived in Powell River we thought it was smart to have a 12- to 18-month plan, which meant right around now we were to be finding a new home in North Vancouver. Moving out of Edmonton and into Powell River, we weren’t sure whether living in a rural coastal town was going to be what we were looking for.

Due to the incredible community that Powell River is, that original North Vancouver plan has now been thrown out the window; we are not going anywhere.

We are so fortunate to have a community bursting with such creative and positive energy set within one of the world’s best landscapes, all right here.

I just wanted to send out a thank you to these incredible people who keep Powell River so vibrant. Hats off the all the volunteers, the creators and the producers who keep generating incredible experiences for all of us to come together and celebrate why we call this place home. Thank you all for being so awesome!

Jim Barr, Joyce Avenue