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Letters to the Editor: September 19, 2012

Naive cruelty A needless tragedy happened directly in front of our home along Malaspina Strait, just south of Powell River [“Safety on the water,” July 25].

Naive cruelty

A needless tragedy happened directly in front of our home along Malaspina Strait, just south of Powell River [“Safety on the water,” July 25]. A young doe had started to swim across the strait toward Texada Island when a motor yacht came directly toward it at high speed. At the last moment it slowed and steered past. My relief turned to horror when the boat turned and manoeuvred right up to the doe forcing it to swim along the starboard length of the boat toward the stern.

Watching from the deck of my home, I heard the man at the helm instruct those on deck to “grab it by the ears” and they would tow it to shore.

The deer must have been pulled under the hull and hit by the prop, because when it reappeared on the port side, the boat sped away. The animal managed to swim back to the beach where Judi and I attended to it. The doe was in shock, suffering serious wounds to its right hind thigh and underbelly.

Coastal boaters, especially those new to boating, need to know deer swim. They aren’t drowning. They don’t need help. Anyone out boating who sees a deer swimming, please steer clear.

Gordon Wilson

Random Road


Gas prices too high

I have been a resident and home owner in Powell River since 2005. I recently came back from a tour of Campbell River, Comox, Courtenay and Gold River and found quite a difference in gas prices [“Gas prices are unreasonable,” October 26, 2011].

The gas price in Comox and Courtenay was $1.23.9 per litre and Campbell River $1.25.9 per litre. We then toured up to Gold River. The gas price in this town, which is way out in nowhere land, was $1.30.9 per litre.

In comparison, all of these amounts are roughly three to 10 cents a litre cheaper than Powell River. Why?

I most always stay in an RV site and have met people from many places. When asked where I am from and say Powell River, most will respond in a variety of ways: a very beautiful city; we used to make the circle trip but have found the ferry costs and high gas prices in Powell River just too much; they have beautiful little shops on that one street but not much parking and when you find a place you can only park for one hour. I tell them parking has increased to two hours now.

I read quite often in the Peak that the town is looking at ways to bring in the tourism trade. It won’t get done by having the highest gas prices other than Vancouver, which has a transportation tax.

Three years ago I made a trip out to the west coast of Vancouver Island: Port Alberni, Ucluelet and Tofino. Port Alberni was 10.3 cents per litre cheaper than Powell River, Ucluelet eight cents and Tofino six cents. Does this make sense? Our Chamber of Commerce and town fathers wonder why we don’t have people coming to this beautiful city. It’s getting to be known as a city of high gas prices and ever increasing property taxes. It’s not just the ferry costs that keep people from coming here.

I am a senior and have talked to quite a few who are selling or looking to sell because of ever increasing taxes and ferry costs. My retirement investment funds are running out and I will be looking at selling. I love the city and people but my pockets are just not big or deep enough for this city, so I will have to look for a more affordable location.

Gil Engerdahl

Trail Place