Unfair for seniors
With reference to the recent letter by Richard Dignard concerning DriveABLE assessment, he omits to mention the nearest location to Powell River for this is Courtenay [“Message for seniors,” April 29].
No consideration is given to the fact that unless a senior can arrange personal transportation the assessment entails the cost of taxis and ferries. It is carried out on a computerized screen which is alien and disconcerting to many and not only seniors.
The only sure fire method to assess fitness to drive is a road test in one’s own car and environment. Not so long ago the folly of forcing seniors to undergo a road test in Comox was realized. The same should apply to this concocted so-called DriveABLE scheme.
John Thomson
Centennial Drive
Volunteer help
I would like to express my great appreciation to the Powell River Search and Rescue team who volunteered to come out and help me locate two friends from the Lower Mainland who were hiking the Sunshine Coast Trail. There was a family emergency and we had to locate them and get them back home as soon as we could [“Search ends for home,” August 14, 2013].
These fine people volunteered their time to locate my friends and bring them back to where I was waiting to return them to town.
This would not have happened without this team of volunteers’ caring, compassion, and professionalism. I cannot say enough about what a fine group you all are, and I am so very grateful for what you do, and what you did for us today.
To the citizens of Powell River, you can be so very proud to have this dedicated group serving this community.
Cameron Bailey
Huntingdon Street
Time to exercise
“People do not have time to exercise”. The reality is that people do not MAKE time to exercise. We all have the same amount of time in a day. How we choose to allocate that time is just that—our choice [“Time tension,” June 3].
In order to lead a healthy lifestyle, exercising needs to be up there pretty well right behind eating and sleeping.
More family time should be about doing mobile activities together. Head for the woods or the beach, ride your bikes, or go for a family swim at Powell River Recreation Complex. If your children are learning tennis at school, get your old racquet out of the carport and encourage your family to go to the courts for half an hour. On the North American continent, technology is the absolute leading cause of inactivity. A 20-minute walk is a perfect replacement. The world will still be intact.
Granted, Powell Riverites are luckier than residents of larger urban areas due to our relative lack of commuter time required to reach the myriad of outdoor and indoor activities available to us. Proximity is our gift.
Making lifestyle changes is a great challenge—make it yours.
Vivian Thickett
Field Street
Challenge for BC Ferries
I challenge BC Ferries for one month to cut down the high cost of sailing. It sure would life up spirits and boost the economy, cut down on high cost of our food, gas, lumber et cetera.
Travellers will be able to see more of their children and grandchildren and it would also help out seniors [“Ferries president discusses fare increases and future,” April 22].
For vehicles, I suggest $80 round trip; for trucks hauling fifth wheels or boats $250 round trip; semi trucks and commercial vehicles $150 round trip; for walk-ons no charge; and pedal bikes $12 round trip.
You would see and hear the morale lift and people being happy.
BC Ferries is still losing money. Try it for one month and I guarantee I would be on that ferry every weekend. Try it, you might like it.
Manon Zago
Myrtle Avenue
