Many kudos for musical
We would like to congratulate Brooks Secondary School and all who were involved with the production of The Music Man [“Brooks musical production highlights talent,” November 16].
Casting was excellent, costumes were “wunderbar” and the band was a pleasure to listen to. We attended as many nights as we could fit into our schedule and while each performance was slightly different, they were all very entertaining and well done. We would especially like to commend the set designers and builders and the appropriate costumes. Good job everyone.
We also like the timing of the production. The November dates didn’t compete with any music festival, spring concert or preparations for graduation. Great idea.
Nancy and Alexander Hollmann
Highway 101
Maintain voice in rural issues
Our accolades to Kim Barton-Bridges who brought in 46 per cent of the vote in Electoral Area B of Powell River Regional District in the recent elections [“Official election results show neighbourhood votes,” November 30].
Residents of Area B were just 28 votes short of electing Barton-Bridges as their representative. The close outcome of this election should be a clear message that many residents in Area B are not happy with the continuing and escalating intrusions of inappropriate industrial and commercial enterprises in their rural residential neighbourhoods.
Barton-Bridges has stated she will remain committed to reducing and preventing land-use conflicts. She and many others recognize that clear and fair regional policies and regulations must be enacted to protect rural residents’ right to enjoy their homes and maintain their property values.
Kudos also to rural directors Patrick Brabazon and Dave Murphy who have brought a balanced and reasonable vote to the regional district planning committee during the ongoing official community plan (OCP) process. Their consistency and principles of fairness have saved the day at many planning committee meetings.
Concerned citizens, including Barton-Bridges, who have experienced the inherent conflicts of inappropriate land uses in the middle of residential neighbourhoods, will continue to be active in the OCP process. We encourage more residents in areas B and C to become involved. Your residential neighbourhood could be the next at risk.
Rita Rasmussen, Ian Somerville, Nadja Hocking
Leaside Road
New library
It is upsetting to read that an architectural firm has been commissioned to design a new library on the old arena site [“Library picks firm,” November 23]. The public has made it abundantly clear that they do not want that property used for a library. Aside from the fact that it is a poor location from a standpoint of access and parking, it is inane to use prime waterfront parkland for a facility such as a library.
One wonders why City of Powell River council is blatantly ignoring public opinion and spending money inadvisably. Is there a hidden agenda involved? Councillors should come clean on this before they spend any more taxpayer dollars. They are reminded that they were elected to serve the public, not to ignore them.
Charlie Morrison
Hazelton Street
Sailing bucket of rust
I believe the Queen Of Chilliwack is a rust bucket and is unsafe on the Comox to Powell River route [“Rough sailing raises more questions,” November 23].
Mike Corrigan, BC Ferries new president and CEO, Captain Jamie Marshall, fleet operations and training, and Deborah Marshall, media relations director, show they do not care about the well-being of their customers in Powell River by providing an inadequate ferry for this crossing.
The Chilliwack has demonstrated time after time that it’s unsuitable for the winter conditions of the Strait of Georgia.
BC Ferries has abused its customers here in Powell River by providing our route with a vessel that I believe is dangerous and the corporation has a major public relations disaster with ferry users.
I’d like to know why Transport Canada demanded that BC Ferries put flood doors on the Chilliwack. Is it because it’s not safe for open-water operation in winter storm conditions? I’d like to know one other ferry in BC that has these flood doors.
Ken White
Harvie Avenue
To all those involved
Being fairly new residents of Powell River, we and our family were delighted to witness yet another of this city’s unique special events. Last Saturday night’s Parade of Lights in our lovely harbour was a beautiful example of the enthusiasm and talent of local citizens [“Parade of Lights set to sail again,” November 30].
It struck me that if we were to carry a small flashlight in our pockets we could flash a quick acknowledgement from the shore to the generous skippers and crew. Also, thumbs up to the ever-present Canadian Coast Guard ensuring that all went safely and well.
This happening along with all the other special Christmas events only adds to our impression that Powell River has to be the friendliest, most courteous and generous little town we have ever experienced. We are proud to join your community.
Mary and Laurie Brown
Willingdon Avenue
Crosswalk safety
In recent weeks there has been one fatality and one serious injury on the crosswalks in Powell River [“Transit bus hits pedestrian,” November 25].
To the best of my knowledge, there is a prominent yellow beacon at a few of these crosswalks, mainly on Marine Avenue, which is illuminated after dark. My suggestion is that the City of Powell River modify these beacons, by installing a pedestrian controlled push-button on each light pole which would make both lights flash for approximately 30 seconds. I would also suggest the city put similar beacons at the rest of the crosswalks throughout the community.
This simple device would alert drivers that someone is on the crosswalk and perhaps prevent the reoccurrence of such accidents. In other countries, this system is used very effectively.
Stewart Wright
Marine Avenue
Library site objections
What is this talk about the library to be put on the Willingdon Beach area and that City of Powell River council decided this last March [“Library picks firm,” November 23]? I don’t think so. We the people had four meetings with council on this, and we told them that we did not want the library at the old arena site on the beach area.
These meetings took place in December, January and February, and on February 23, 2011, council voted six to one not to change the OCP (official community plan) designation or zoning on the arena site and that the parcel will remain as park.
Now council has done a complete turnaround, and is designing the new building for the library. And guess where...on the beach area...the only site they gave to the designer.
What has happened to the site on Barnet Street, the only site that is central to the city of Powell River? The city owns the land. With many private homes and apartments nearby, full bus service, and our largest shopping centre across the street, what more does council want?
Well, once they get the library on the beach area there will be no end to what goes there. So, people of Powell River, if you don’t want this to happen, stand up and let mayor and council know what you want now, or it will be too late.
May Monkhouse
MacGregor Avenue
Library site
I attended the open house at Powell River Recreation Complex recently [“Library picks firm,” November 23]. While I am totally in support of building a new library, I’m not convinced of the proposed site’s suitability or the public support for it.
Speaker after speaker spoke of the many things they’d like to see in a new library and I agreed with most of them. The trouble is, outside of that meeting, after the rezoning debate, I haven’t found many folks who support developing the site they feel that they just saved.
I believe that there are other locations that would either enhance existing infrastructure, like the complex, or cater to greater access to folks by being close to the malls, hospital, low and high density housing and the transit system.
I hope that we don’t lose this opportunity for a much needed new library due to many citizens not agreeing with the site.
Paul Nassichuk
Duncan Street
