Time to spend wisely
I have just read the Helios Group report and wonder why City of Powell River mayor and council are even thinking about building a new public library [“Council seeks public participation on committee,” March 21].
The city is living well beyond its means and simply cannot afford the expense, never mind the squabbles about Willingdon Beach and parkland, for such a venture. A new library would be wonderful but a luxury in times of financial difficulties.
You don’t eat tenderloin when you can only afford rice. It is time to pull back on the reins and spend where spending is needed. Water and sewer are critical to the city but I don’t think involving a mill that might be gone in two weeks or months is particularly wise. If Catalyst Paper Corporation sells to a new buyer all deals are off the table. It has happened before and can happen again.
Powell River is not the rich little town it used to be and it’s time city hall realized it.
Linda Wallace
Highway 101
Teachers’ salaries
In response to the letter to the editor by Wendy Adams and viewpoint by Cathy Fisher in the Peak on March 21, I got my information from the BC Teachers’ Federation website, through category six teachers, and the provincial government website [“Teachers rebel,” March 21].
Teachers seem to think that their lot in life is very difficult because they teach children. Go on any teacher’s blogsite and it is a real eye-opener. All I am trying to say is that everyone who works has some good and bad experiences, but they certainly don’t have all the benefits teachers have. I don’t see why teachers should get better benefits than the taxpayers (with the same level of education) who pay for their salaries.
Louise Fribance
Springbrook Road
Reconfiguring finances
I believe the City of Powell River is in love with grants [“Council starts budget process,” February 29]. We can go bankrupt on grants if we cannot afford them.
We voted down the alternative approval process in 2008 on the north harbour with almost 2,000 votes. The city already had a contract in mind and a price and a source of the floats so it was convenient to complete the job. For this amount of money it had to hold a referendum. We didn’t object as the management at city hall said that the north harbour would be fully paid by the user. Now that the job is nearing completion the user will only pay 85 per cent and less if the harbour is not filled to capacity. This is why we need lawyers.
The south harbour was a five-year loan as the city did not want a referendum as it could fail. Now it is complete and the city evaded a referendum, it wants to change the financing to a 20-year loan.
Jack Dice
Butedale Street
Students surprise with behaviour
I enjoyed an awesome afternoon when I was invited to help out with the Louise Rose concert held at Max Cameron Theatre on March 29, part of the Vocal Summit [“Voices rise in song,” March 16].
I felt honoured to have been asked to help with this event and was amazed at the discipline of students who attended. They asked appropriate questions during question period and their general behaviour was excellent. Teachers retained complete control and the children were respectful of their teachers and other staff as well.
Powell River needs to be very proud of these children from Grief Point, James Thomson and Edgehill elementary schools, Oceanview Middle School and of the teachers as well.
Rae Fitzgerald
Michigan Avenue
Cultural centre
Here is what I envision when taking my grandchildren to Willingdon Park and stopping by our beautiful new Powell River Public Library [“Architects unveil library design,” March 28].
Where the library is now situated I tend to forget it exists as does my daughter. Wouldn’t it be great to include the Visitor Information Centre as part of the library, putting it where tourists can actually find it. The Powell River Historical Museum and Archives, Powell River Forestry Museum, visitor centre and library all in the same vicinity would be a great cultural attraction for tourists bringing much needed money into this area.
We had an old arena on this site for years and the people protested demolishing it. Now they protest putting something beautiful there. If we are going to attract more people to Powell River we need a vision that will make them want to come.
Donna Lloyd
Highway 101
