Letters to the Editor: June 8, 2011

Late for the boat

I see where Dave Formosa, Scott Randolph and the Powell River Chamber of Commerce, along with other members of the Flat Earth Society, have finally made the connection between steep ferry fares and the health of small coastal communities [“Province caps fare hikes in 2012,” June 1]. This epiphany has even prompted a “day of action” in which some members may even “shut their doors for part of the day” in protest. Wow. That should do it.

“Those ferries are our highway,” states Formosa boldly. “It’s too much to bear and we’ll fight tooth and nail,” says he. These fighting words were uttered at, of all places, a recently held BC Liberal policy convention in Penticton.

The question that springs to mind is, where were these guys over the last decade or so while the alarm was being raised by various concerned citizens groups such as the Council of Canadians, Raging Grannies, et cetera?

Don’t tell me, let me guess. They must have been at previous BC Liberal policy conventions, cheering on Gordon Campbell while he was busy selling off some of the province’s other assets.

Ron MacDougall

Westview Avenue

I am writing in response to the letter to the editor “Parks for people not dogs,” in the June 1 edition of the Peak.

The gentleman wanting dogs banned from all parks, and the areas used for children only, is a little naïve to think his problem of dog pee and poo is his only worry. We are blessed with nature in this part of the world seeing deer, bears, birds, insects, geese and many more animals and they do it too. People playing games sometimes leave their garbage scattered around the field and garbage containers for the city to clean up.

Beaches and lakes are not the cleanest water to swim in. People discharge in water for convenience. This gentleman’s family will not always meet the cleanest washrooms on their travels when nature calls, but you go when needed. It is sad to say that this article is not about the sanitation for the children, it is about not liking animals, dogs in particular.

Children need exercise, so do animals. Dogs on leash only—where are they allowed to go? Stating dog owners need a backyard, in order to be allowed a dog, is mildly called very wrong.

Many young families have animals to help their youngsters become responsible, caring citizens in later life. Elderly have animals for companionship. We are elderly and have two dogs who need their walks (and ball game) and it is our daily necessary walk in the park that we enjoy. We clean up and I am sorry that we see not all dog owners do the same. We try to ask them though.

“Parks are made for people, not for pets,” is a terrible selfish statement. We have a great city where young and old have a chance to enjoy life responsibly. Hopefully, Darren Hart will give new consideration to what parks do for everybody. A hot bath for the children after visits to the park or beach should do the trick and wash away the dirt.

Lucy Bakker

Westview Avenue

Texada Island should take great pride in its history of logging [“Texada develops economic strategy,” May 25]. It’s now time to retire the equipment and proudly put it on display at the museum.

The logging community should embrace the opportunity and excitement of a brand new career getting paid to walk through the forest and provide guided tours. Relying on your extensive knowledge of the landscape, you will identify the variety of tree species and all of the various forms of wildlife that call the forest home. You would get to sit down and enjoy lunch with your guests. (Food supply and preparation, more work.)

This would set a wonderful example for your children and grandchildren, to show them that yes, indeed, we are very capable of making positive change. This would be an incredible legacy to pass on to future sustainable generations.

One living tree captures one ton of carbon dioxide annually. If you take down a stand of 1,000 trees that would equate to 1,000 tons of carbon dioxide annually that would go uncaptured and circulate in the atmosphere. The end result? Diminished air quality. Extreme weather events are occurring with more frequency and intensity. One of the precipitating factors is deforestation. Why on earth would we play Russian roulette with the very healthy environment that surrounds and sustains us? It provides the very air we breathe.

Texada Island is perceived by some in the district as a dumping ground—the “we’ll put it over there” mentality. In reality, Texada Island is the crown jewel in the district and as such will be treated accordingly.

Steve Perkins

Blair Road, Texada Island

In reference to a recent letter to the editor, in which the writer suggested banishing dogs from community parks [“Parks for people not dogs,” June 1], I would like to add my own recommendations:

That dogs be either surgically altered so that they cannot perform their bodily functions or that they be committed to a life of sensory deprivation by being chained 24 hours a day in one corner of the owner’s yard.

That dog owners forgo the healthy pleasure of taking their dogs for walks and instead drive their pet around in polluting vehicles, an obviously healthier choice when it comes to children.

That all the dog bag dispensers around most city parks be replaced by cork and sponge dispensers so that all dog owners can plug their pets and sponge up their offending liquid emissions.

That the same equipment of corks and sponges be the standard equipment for conservation officers who obviously need to deal with geese, raccoons, deer, bears and maybe ant waste.

That we put our children in a bubble until the age of 18 when they may be better able to deal with the trauma of animal waste.

Parks are made for people and for pets. Pet owners have the added responsibility to pick up after their dogs and the majority do so. There are also designated areas and times when dogs are permitted to be off leash in a park, as in the case of the recently established Henderson Park where the city is to be commended for making this happen. In this instance, at designated hours, dogs have a greater right to be there, off leash, than children who do have an enclosed playground area in the same park.

I would agree that dogs have no business being in a playground environment; that people who do not clean up after their pets give other pet owners a bad rap; and that there should be careful monitoring if you allow your dog off leash especially in areas other than an off-leash park.

Most of us dog owners enjoy our pets as much as non-pet owners enjoy their children. Let’s not attack what we cannot understand but try to empathize instead.

Charles Macelli

Saskatchewan Avenue

I understand the liquid waste management steering committee has voted not to go along with the recommendation of the joint local-technical advisory committee (JAC) or the wishes of the people who elected them who attended both the open house and the world café [“Steering committee votes down consolidation,” June 8]. Instead, it intends to recommend to the City of Powell River council to allow Catalyst Paper Corporation to process our sewage.

Councillors Chris McNaughton and Dave Formosa said, at last Thursday’s steering committee meeting, that despite a majority of those who attended the two public meetings sending a resounding message the town is not in favour of joint treatment, they knew there were many others who did not attend the two meetings who were in favour of it. So what? These mythical people, who just happen to hold the same views as these two councillors, did not bother to go out to either meeting and their mythical views do not count.

These statements remind me of dictators who refuse to step down, even when their subjects have taken to the streets in bloody revolt of their tyrannical reign. Are we living under a dictatorship or are we going to see the council follow the wishes of the people of Powell River and vote in favour of a publicly owned plant?

Dorell Meikle

Spring Brook Road

I would like to publicly acknowledge and congratulate all those responsible for the first annual Powell River Blues Festival [“Seaside festival prepares to rock,” June 1].

To the organizing committee: your many hours of hard work are appreciated. To the many volunteers, a huge round of applause. To Steve Kozak: you assembled a great lineup of talent. It was wonderful to hear such great blues, and to get to hang with the very cool musicians who played there. To the sponsors, to the Beach Gardens Resort and Marina staff, to the City of Powell River, and to all who lent their support to this festival: you’ve done something truly worthwhile. To everyone on site who treated us musicians so well: you rock. And to the appreciative audience: we love you.

All of these people worked hard, not for money but simply to bring a great event to our town. They successfully put on a festival that was truly world class: well done.

Powell River, be proud of these community-minded people. Let’s all get together to throw our support behind them for next year’s Powell River Blues Festival.

Ron Campbell

Lee Road