Willingdon area improvements
Your April Fools’ Day front page was great [“Willingdon site for project,” April 1]. For a short time I became a raging granny, until a voice said “it’s April Fools’ day!”
I’ve just had a significant birthday. As a resident of Powell River for 75 years, and loving my home, I have a wish that our mayor and council would send two or three people to Parksville to look at its park. It is so creative and not overly elaborate or expensive and there is something for all ages, even exercise equipment for seniors.
I’d like our dumping site moved to the gravel pit and not some remote place. Weary travellers with big vehicles don’t want to have to look for this. Information from the tourist bureau and First Nation carvings could also be placed near the campsite.
The Viewpoint is good, but running out of space for memorial blocks. Why not another wall at Willingdon Beach? There could be commemorative benches and shade trees, picnic tables. In Hawaii on Sundays the park has art displays and crafts. This could be in the upper area and the lower for children and families and other activities.
We have one of the most beautiful scenic places in the world and there is less and less waterfront park. My wish is for all to protect it and enjoy it.
Rosemary Hawkins
Manitoba Avenue
Branding support
I would like to commend Tourism Powell River and our City of Powell River Council members for their foresight and decision in choosing “Coastal by Nature” as our city’s slogan [“City votes on branding update,” April 15]. It is “catchy”, it is “modern” and it says what we are about as a community. More and more our region’s economic future lies in eco-tourism and related activities—our new branding will reflect that.
At one time “Pearl on the Sunshine Coast” was an effective slogan, but times change and businesses must move with the times to stay current. Our council is running a business for us, the people who elected them. Tourism is a part of that business and it is the job of the staff to know what sells and what would work in marketing Powell River to tourists. The public cannot micro-manage every business decision that is made.
Council and Tourism Powell River have a plan to introduce the changes in a fiscally responsible way that will minimize the costs—but make no mistake, all businesses must spend money to get the attention of the consumer and all businesses must keep up with the times to make money.
I fully support the changes being made.
Maureen Tierney
Westview Avenue
Scam call
I got a call today from 1.778.775.1513 claiming to be the Canadian Police Association (CPA) [“Phone scam hits hydro customers,” April 15] soliciting donations for an anti-bullying campaign. I told them that I would look at their website and see if I was interested, because I do not want to make donations over the phone—how do I even know who they really are?
The guy asked if I was willing to pledge $25 and I said I was (if it was legitimate) and he brought his “verification specialist” on the phone. She thanked me profusely for my support and then asked for my credit card number. I said I did not want to make the donation over the phone. She said if I did it now, the money would go to work right away, and they would destroy my credit card information. “How do I know that?” I asked. I said I would look at their website and donate from there.
She said she could send me the pledge forms and then provided me with an address that wasn’t mine. I said “not even close” and she asked me to provide my current address. I asked, “Who do you think I am?”
She replied, “That’s what we need to know, so we can send you the forms.” I refused.
She kept pushing and I finally hung up on her.
I looked at the CPA website and there is nothing on it about this campaign. I Googled Canadian Police Association Anti-Bullying and saw the exact same fraud being perpetuated last year—the phone number and the modus operandi were the same.
I then called the RCMP and they confirmed this fraud is being carried out but they do not investigate these locally. They directed me to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre. They also suggested I contact the local paper so that a local alert could be posted so people do not fall for this scam.
Gerry Lister
Alberni Street
Taking a wider view
I would like to applaud City of Powell River Council for the positive steps taken to attract new residents and business to Powell River. Resident attraction needs to be on council’s priority list [“City votes on branding update,” April 15].
Any successful business owner knows marketing and branding in this day and age are extremely important. The new brand tagline, Coastal by Nature, has a refreshing ring to it that reflects Powell River’s vibrancy and potential. The 70 per cent approval by the online poll and overwhelming support by council suggests many people agree.
It seems quite evident the costs will be minimal because the changes will be done gradually, and it will be tied in with the Tourism Powell River signage program. Also, a successful marketing strategy will more than pay for itself.
People who endlessly complain about roads and potholes need to understand that this resident attraction campaign is what is needed to improve roads and potholes. Sometimes, one needs to step back and look at the bigger picture.
Kaia Sherritt
Abbotsford Street
