Leave nature alone
“I think that I shall never see a poem lovely as a tree,” but not apparently on the seawalk [“Seawalk open for users,” July 10].
Trees have stood guard on that stretch of coast for many long years, providing shelter and homes for birds and animals. A variety of beautiful trees have added colours and shapes to the bank in the daytime and mysterious shadows at night, but now they have been reduced to ugly stumps and piles of sawdust. Where once stood lovely trees, now lies an unsightly mess, looking sad and forlorn.
I hope the people who came up with this idea feel proud of themselves for causing such an unwarranted and needless destruction of nature.
We can only hope that they wake up and realize that, sometimes, nature knows best and things should be left as they are. To destroy nature and beauty without a really good reason is never worth it as we all lose in the end.
Pauline Robinson
Maple Avenue
Start acting
What government uses its seniors to balance the books when the fat cat at the top makes $532,000 a year? Only the BC Liberals. What Crown corporation gives free passes to all its employees and families as well as retired employees, but takes away the free service from senior citizens? Only BC Ferries [“BC slashes ferry sailings,” November 13].
It is time to stop talking and start acting. A busload of people to the BC Legislature in Victoria is in order. And not to demonstrate on the lawn, but to go directly to Premier Christy Clark’s office and let her know that the people of Powell River have had enough. What is the use of making all these improvements to the berths if people can barely afford to use the ferries?
Time for the government to stop hiding behind the Crown corporation moniker and revert BC Ferries back to being part of the ministry of transportation and infrastructure, therefore part of the highway system.
Every community which is affected by BC Ferries needs to mobilize and let the government know in no uncertain terms that we will not take it any longer. Put all together, that’s a lot of voters.
Louise Fribance
Springbrook Road
Animal traffic
Three years ago I bought my first horse. I have discovered the immense passion and love horse enthusiasts have for their animals. We invest a lot of time and money into looking after these animals that are so important to us.
When we need to go on a roadway to access pasture or a trail or simply for a ride we are required to follow the rules of the road [“Padgett bicycle lane welcome,” October 30]. We are supposed to be treated the same way you would a slow-moving vehicle.
The rule is to pass slow and wide when it is safe. This does not mean passing us while going at or above the speed limit. This does not mean swerving around the back of our horse when it has not even finished crossing the road.
These are 1,000- to 1,200-plus-pound animals with a mind of their own who are extremely athletic and can move into the path or the side of your vehicle in fractions of a second. With a rider on its back it can spell disaster. A horse’s kick has 2,200 pounds of pressure.
We ride in fear along our roadways because of a lack of understanding or respect for the power and nature of these animals. They are not bad; they are prey and view their world from that perspective. A fast-moving vehicle can trigger a reaction, even a bird darting from the trees.
Please slow down and keep us all safe.
Mary-Lou Ashton
Laburnum Avenue
