Speaking for residents
I believe that a good elected person serves the interest of the citizens. He/she does not serve her/his self interest. He/she does not serve the interest of corporations. In my opinion City of Powell River Mayor Dave Formosa’s behaviour is bad related to the clear cut of our urban forest on Lot 450 [“City faces criticism from resident,” June 3].
According to Canadian laws, corporations are not citizens. They do not have the right to vote.
If our elected servants actually represent the interests of corporations, then we need to step up and represent ourselves. This is what www.prforestcoalition.org is doing.
In the past, the mayor has supported or rejected a number of issues which successfully served the interest of citizens. But I disagree with his behaviour related to the clear cut of our urban forest on Lot 450.
For example:
• “...to help revitalize the economy. He said there are two ventures looking at industrial park land in the lower section”;
• “We need to stimulate the economy, we need tax participation and we need jobs,” he said;
• “Gould said that’s not the citizens’ role. She said sending in biologists has been on their dime, not the city’s. She knows the privately held Lot 450 lands are not the city’s jurisdiction but the opponents to logging are looking for the city to advocate on their behalf”;
• “Formosa has walked most of that land near McFall and McGuffie creeks, and from what he understands, Island Timberlands is not doing “too bad a job.”
I’m for logging and for stimulating the economy. But do you have any suggestions for the mayor about how he could serve the interest of citizens instead of the interest of corporations while stimulating the economy in a sustainable and self-reliant way?
How about advocating for divestment of public investment funds in destructive corporations, as well as looking at how the urban land base can be appreciated as having value above and beyond the old models of development. Thanks to Claudia [Medina] for those suggestions.
Francois Carpentier
Invermere Court
Smoke-free housing
If year after year, a Boeing 747 full of British Columbians crashed killing all onboard, residents from across the province would be understandably outraged and demand action be taken. Yet this is essentially what’s been happening across the province annually as approximately 600 people die as a result of something they have little control over: exposure to second-hand smoke.
As well as deaths, this exposure to second-hand smoke can cause ailments such as bronchitis and pneumonia, allergies, asthma attacks, and ear infections. Expectant mothers who smoke may deliver children with a lower birth rate, and their children have a higher risk of suffering from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Children are especially susceptible as their lungs are not fully developed and they breathe faster than adults while pets are also at risk.
There are a growing number of Powell River residents taking positive steps to help reduce the impacts of second-hand smoke on people who reside in multi-unit buildings, such as duplexes and apartments. Cigarette smoke seeps from one suite into another though vents, leaks in ceilings and floors, and lingers from one balcony to another; releasing thousands of toxic chemicals into the air [“Firefighters battle third floor blaze,” June 20, 2012].
In Powell River, the following property owners have now implemented smoke-free policies within their rental properties:
• Chris Carlos with Re/Max has a “smoke free policy” for the more than 100 homes he helps manage;
• The landowner of Villa Anna Apartments with 34 suites;
• Glacier Apartments is getting on board with plans to add a “smoke free” clause into its new lease agreements;
• Landowner, Doug Love, with several rental homes.
Benefits by designating homes as “smoke-free” include less need for cleaning and maintenance, increased property values and a decreased risk of house fires (tobacco use is the number one cause of house fires in Canada).
June is Smoke-Free Housing month. I’m asking you to recognize that there is no safe level of exposure to second-hand smoke and to consider making your home smoke-free. For assistance or resources to stop smoking, you can contact me, Vancouver Coastal Health’s tobacco reduction coordinator at 604.485.3310.
Tricia Hansen, BSW,RSW, MSW
Contributing Writer
