Unfair editorial
We are writing in response to the recent editorial which has misrepresented the My Health My Community (MHMC) survey [“Growing problem,” June 10].
MHMC is the largest health and well-being survey ever done in BC. The data is especially valuable because it goes further and drills down deeper than any previous data that was available.
Until now we have typically relied on national surveys like Stats Canada’s Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS). However, that data is reported on a larger level, grouping Powell River with the North Shore, Sea-to-Sky, Sunshine Coast and Central Coast. MHMC data, on the other hand, is reported at the community level, meaning we can look at data specific to Powell River. And, compared to the CCHS survey, which sampled less than 0.5 per cent of the population, the My Health My Community data is much more robust; the 248 Powell River residents polled represents 1.5 per cent of the city’s population. Furthermore, we have found that our results provide estimates that are in line with known data for Powell River.
Admittedly, this kind of a health survey is based on sampling a subset of the population and is not equivalent to the census. Nothing will ever replace the census and that was never the intent for this project. We agree that “bad data can do more harm than good.” The loss of the mandatory long form census has certainly diminished the ability to identify all segments of our communities, particularly the most vulnerable. However, the My Health My Community survey results provide valuable insight, and will be very useful for municipal planners, governments and health authority program staff as they design services for local residents.
Dr. Jat Sandhu
Principal investigator on behalf of the My Health My Community Project Team
Time to beautify
With the number of visitors to Powell River these past few weeks, for example, Performing Arts BC Provincial Festival, Pacific Region International Summer Music Academy and in weeks to come, Cops for Cancer Golf Tournament, BC Bike Race, et. cetera, you would think our City of Powell River Council would ensure the town was in pristine condition [“City eyes beautification,” April 1].
Not to be. Take a drive along Joyce Avenue—nothing but weeds in the sidewalks, weeds protruding from walls and growing over pavement and this is not the only main street in this condition. Disgraceful.
Nan Cornwall
Toba Street
Ferry overloads
Outlandishly expensive ferry fares are only exacerbated by abysmal service [“Ferries president discusses fare increases and future,” April 22]. Anyone planning to go from Powell River to Vancouver on BC Ferries should be aware that the journey may take a lot longer than the usual five hours. On Sunday, June 14, I left Powell River at 8.30 am and didn’t reach my Dunbar Street destination till 7 pm. Luckily, my appointment wasn’t until the next day, though I did miss an important visit to inform a friend of a death.
Sunday schedules are very different from weekday schedules. Although the ferry left Saltery Bay at 9:55 am, when I arrived at Langdale I was too late to catch the 2:45 pm ferry because of an overload so I had to wait for the 4:50 pm. I almost didn’t catch that one as cars in lanes arriving later than I did, were loaded first. On speaking to other passengers, it appeared that the terminal had experienced overloads all day and to some extent during the week as well.
Despite the quantity of passengers, I watched ships sit idle in their berths instead of being used for extra runs. I envied people who had brought chairs to sit outside instead of being cooked in their vehicles. There was little shade.
On the return journey on Tuesday, I didn’t dare make my usual stop in Sechelt but drove straight through to Earls Cove where I sat in a broiling car for over an hour. The café was closed and seats in the shade were inadequate for the number of people needing them. Not surprisingly, I ended up with a severe case of heat stroke which manifested itself an hour after I reached home. My house guest was not impressed.
Heather Harbord
Manitoba Avenue
