Failing grade for province
Another cut to BC universities and colleges has been announced by the provincial government. This time they have cut funding for Adult Basic Education (ABE) [“Program helps students take next step,” July 3, 2013].
The ABE program has served as an entry point for thousands of British Columbians who, for whatever reason, did not succeed in the BC kindergarten-to-grade 12 school system. The cost of the program across the province was just under $7 million in its entirety. This is a small price to pay to allow people to upgrade and enter trades or academic programs to fill the ever-increasing skills gap.
This cut is petty, backwards, and hurtful to citizens who want to pursue greater opportunity in our province. Worst of all, this cut was unnecessary because the province is projecting a surplus of almost $200 million this year. As a result of continued mismanagement of the BC education system, this government gets a failing grade from students.
Sherry McCarthy, chairperson
Vancouver Island University Students’ Union
Local 61 Canadian Federation of Students
Not misled by headline
In response to Bill Chinn’s diatribe, [“Shame on you,” December 17] permit me to say that I was not mislead by your recent headline: “Mill emissions below standards.” While at first blush it appeared somewhat oddly expressed, I took it to mean exactly what it said, that measured emissions were less than permitted, and a cursory glance at the text confirmed this. End of story.
Wayne Brewer
Westview Avenue
Unsubstantiated claims
Regarding your story “Loud industrial sounds cause for complaint,” December 10, I’ve never read a more one-sided, irresponsible “news” story in my life.
There were no facts to this story, only unsubstantiated claims, the kind that can cause major damage to a family business, and the kind that can warrant a seize and desist letter or possible suing for defamation. This was an article that only showed one side of a story...reason, because the writer Paul Galinski says he isn’t paid to be an investigative reporter. Wow, I didn’t realize spending a few minutes talking to the business owner about these accusations was a big deal. If the business owner would have been spoken to you’d know that never has Guy Gentner even brought up any of his concerns to his neighbour.
I do realize that the business was not mentioned by name in the article, however this is a small town, the article did say where Gentner lives, so it doesn’t take a brain surgeon to figure out what welding shop this is about.
These serious unsubstantiated claims of pollution are hurtful and grossly untrue—well-meaning but misguided and misinformed activists causing unnecessary issues for this family and business.
It takes a good neighbour to be a good neighbour; how can anyone know you have a problem with them unless you go and talk to the person?
Ask yourself, how would I feel and what would I do if this article had been about me?
Andrea Hamilton
Reave Road
