Democracy is a right
Joe Oliver, federal minister of natural resources, is exercising the Stephen Harper’s Conservative government’s charter right to misrepresent the truth. This time it is by branding groups and individuals intervening and presenting in the Northern Gateway Enbridge pipeline hearings [“Wake-up call for climate change,” January 18].
Harper’s government is quick to justify invading foreign countries to protect human rights and advance democracy while this same Harper government is poised to hobble our regulatory system to speed
up this no-brainer project.
These hearings protect our democratic rights to have our Canadian voices heard and are necessary in order to make the best decisions for the greater good including the environment and economy. While the Arab spring continues into its winter, the Harper government steps up its efforts to muzzle Canadian opposition to its radical ideological agendas.
Leslie Goresky
Central Road, Texada Island
A place for a library
I guess there is quite the kerfuffle regarding the new Powell River Public Library [“Council maintains support for library process,” December 21, 2011]. Could we find an existing building for this library that would be an economically good choice? We also really need a new building for our fire department.
I am in favour of this project; it really is quite important. I’m trying to think where we could move the library to. Any suggestions?
Lorie Stieben
Tahsis Street
What is a library?
Planners for the new Powell River Public Library must be asking themselves what would a library be in the 21st century [“Council maintains support for library process,” December 21, 2011]. Not a repository for books, surely. With the advent of cheap and appealing electronic readers the printing of books except as aesthetic objects will soon be obsolete.
The library as a public building in which people can quietly pursue learning still seems valid, but is only really needed by those who don’t have Internet access at home. The library as a community nexus still seems attractive, but today large aspects of community are shifting to cyberspace.
Rather than a building, what a library could offer is non-profit area-wide Internet access through a municipal or even regional wireless network. Eventually, all those unattractive cable and telephone wires (and monthly bills) could be eliminated.
Ted Crossley
Hammond Street
Library location
I am a frequent user of our Powell River Public Library and find the staff there very friendly and helpful [“Council maintains support for library process,” December 21, 2011]. However, in this time of financial instability, I think that it is irresponsible to take on another expensive project when there are other priorities such as the deplorable conditions of our roads, lack of sidewalks, et cetera.
The existing library could be expanded over some of the parking lot at much less cost and stay in this central location with the advantage of more space for city hall if a second floor was to be added at a later date.
The old arena site was given to the City of Powell River as a park and should remain that way as the Alberni Street and Marine Avenue intersection is already congested, and this site should add to the future beautification of the city.
We can’t afford it. I hope council will listen to the people who elected them.
Mike Parsons
Harvie Avenue
