Environment is the economy
I am grateful to everyone who worked with me over a busy summer to “shrink the distance to Ottawa.” Ministers and other MPs came to our riding to work with constituents and me on pressing national issues that affect us here, where we live [“Transportation minister hears concerns,” August 13]. We also saw developments in responsible resource development, a theme which increasingly affects us all.
Key ministers who worked with us over the summer were Jason Kenney, Employment and Social Development; Lisa Raitt, Transportation; Gail Shea, Fisheries; and Colin Carrie, Parliamentary Secretary to the Environment Minister. The common themes of relevance and responsiveness characterized their work.
In his attempt to ensure the Temporary Foreign Worker Program best suits the needs of British Columbians, Kenney met with leaders in the entertainment sector, business owners, tourism promoters, and chambers of commerce. These leaders in job creation are involved in ongoing discussions with me, trying to ensure Canadians get hired first and employers find the staff they need.
A former harbourmaster herself, Raitt listened to our constituents’ concerns and related, among other things, her work on creating world-class standards in marine safety.
I was especially grateful to constituents who have helped me approach Shea and Carrie with proposals to create a Fisheries Centre of Excellence, as supported by my fisheries advisory group, and to support a long-term plan for Howe Sound, as initiated by the Future of Howe Sound Society.
Throughout the summer, conversations at backyard barbecues and coffee gatherings often related to responsible resource development. “The environment is the economy,” is the message I am increasingly taking to Cabinet and other leaders.
Most constituents tend to favour resource development that is “responsible” in promoting positive social, environmental, Aboriginal, and economic development. In reviewing such things, we need to ensure the integrity of independent, science-based processes, with plenty of opportunity for effective public engagement.
A high level of public engagement—that’s what I witnessed all summer long in the area where we live, “the most beautiful place on earth.”
John Weston
MP for West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea to Sky Country
Parking ticket
I am a senior visitor to Powell River, visiting old friends and a cousin with serious health issues. After driving up the Sunshine Coast from Vancouver, I was greeted warmly by all including complete strangers, shopkeepers, dog walkers and more [“Bylaw officer ticketing vehicles,” March 21, 2007.
My cousin, also a senior, had to see her doctor so I drove her over to the clinic. Unfortunately, the handicapped parking stall at the clinic was occupied so I took the remaining empty spot behind the crosswalk and in front of many other cars parked on the street. There were no signs saying “No Parking.” She, a long-time resident in Powell River, agreed that it was a good parking spot.
After 20 minutes or so, we returned to find a ticket on the window: $20, or $15 if paid the same day. My cousin was more surprised than me and embarrassed as she had suggested I park there. The ticket said no parking beside yellow lines. There were no yellow lines to be seen, until we opened the door and looked down. The edge of the curb was yellow. Who knew? Not my cousin and certainly not me.
We decided to go up to city hall and plead our case. The young woman we met was absolutely rigid in her argument so I paid the ticket and left grumbling.
Later, upon telling my Powell River friends about getting a ticket, they were all very surprised as they had never heard of anyone getting a parking ticket here before.
Can it be that I have been chosen, maybe because I’m from away, or maybe because my handicap decal attracted attention. Who knows? It’s not the money, it’s the principle. It’s also a warning to the locals to watch out for the parking police and those elusive yellow lines.
Mary-Lynn Burke
Ladner, BC
Gift horse worth riding
I was so thrilled to read your article “Private sector provides less costly library option,” September 10, regarding the offer of the old Brick building to the City of Powell River. I’m convinced that this is the sensible answer to a new Powell River Public Library. I’m positive the majority of taxpayers do not want a building costing $9, $10 or $11 million to be built.
We all know about cost over-runs.
Please do not look a gift horse in the mouth. Please take up Real Sigouin’s generous offer.
This building has everything that is needed.
We have a town full of empty buildings, it is insanity to build another one.
Please listen to the voice of reason.
Martin Hill
Highway 101
Sailing schedule change
I am writing to update your readers about the new sailing schedules that were implemented in April of this year.
After six weeks of community consultation by BC Ferries this past spring, the schedules originally proposed by the provincial government were refined on all of the affected routes to try to introduce the best timetables that still met the service reductions outlined by the province.
Any change to ferry service takes some time to get used to, however on several routes, including the Powell River – Comox and Powell River – Texada Island routes, issues arose. We saw berth conflicts at Westview and dangerous cargo sailing issues on the Texada Island route.
Over the summer we’ve been working with the Northern Sunshine Coast Ferry Advisory Committee (FAC) as well as hearing suggestions from other customers about some schedule refinements to mitigate these issues. We’ve already implemented a change for the dangerous goods sailing for Texada Island. We will implement minor schedule adjustments to the Powell River – Comox route on October 1, 2014 to improve on-time performance for both routes [“Schedule change,” September 24].
FACs are comprised of local community representatives who volunteer their time to consult on operational issues relevant to their community. They act as liaisons, relaying information to the community and providing BC Ferries with constructive advice and insights into the concerns and opinions of local ferry users.
We certainly understand the vital role we play in maintaining the quality of life for people who live, work and travel in and around coastal British Columbia. We will continue to work with the FAC this fall to get a sense of community preference about possible schedule tweaks that can be made to meet the needs of the majority of ferry users while still achieving the net savings set out by the provincial government.
Corrine Storey
Vice-President, Customer Services, BC Ferries
Make it a park
What started out with a bang three-plus years ago (the start of hundreds protesting at city hall, and the largest petition ever in Powell River, 5,300 signatures) finally came to an end at last night’s council meeting [“Question will be on ballot,” September 24].
What should have cost $26,000 to ask a simple question at the outset over that annoying “gravel lot” (it’s called a referendum), cost more than $200,000, and created the largest divide in some time.
It was never about a library, and in fact after some hectic last-minute theatrics, the people will finally get their say on a new Powell River Public Library. It just won’t be on the Willingdon site.
It’s never too late to do the right thing. Last night proves it. It just took a little while to get there...huh?
Now, if we can just put the grass back, a few benches, trees and some flowers and make it a real park.
Cleve Hamilton
Stittle Road
Farcical recycling
Recycle, recycle, recycle has been the mantra in Powell River for decades. If memory serves me correctly, I think Colin Palmer was at the forefront of it way back when. We have been bombarded on TV with advertisements promoting an expanded list of acceptable recyclables.
Most of us have dutifully fallen into line and tried our best to be good recyclers. We put things in blue boxes or took it to the green bins provide in the City of Powell River.
In May the city did away with the green bins and started a somewhat expanded curbside programme. I dutifully put the blue box(es) out on collection day, but a (teacher’s) note was left stating what the programme does, but more importantly, doesn’t accept [“Recycling in evolutionary stage,” August 6].
The first note was about shredded paper. I had included with “regular” paper, some shredded. This is a big no-no, as it has to be placed in a clear (transparent) bag to be acceptable. So I went and acquired a few see-through bags. The next collection day my amount of shredded paper had increased considerably, thankfully the big bag full was accepted.
So with the bags being acceptable, I thoughtfully placed all my plastic material in one of the bags (didn’t have a large enough box) and placed it for pickup. That bag had a sticker placed on it saying we do not accept (blue) bags and kindly put the plastic in a blue box. Oh dear, how could I possibly become so confused?
Don’t put the biodegradable grocery bags out for curbside pickup; you have to take them to Augusta Recyclers, where they are accepted.
This whole process has become a farce. Regretfully, we are now putting more and more recyclables into regular garbage bags for pickup.
John Thompson
Cariboo Avenue
Expropriation time
All levels of government along with Lafarge Canada Inc. have collectively given Texada Islanders the middle finger salute [“Coal decision ignores concerns,” September 10].
How dare anyone try and impede progress in rolling out this heavy-duty industrialization vision? I am a whiny Texada Islander who cares about inane things such as breathable air and potable water. Fantasizing about clean air and clean water would be far too dreamy.
Fair market value (current) compensation to landowners should now land squarely on the table for those of us who crazily cannot understand this particular corporate vision. Serious devaluation (not just financial) is enroute. Negotiations could commence at any time now.
An expensive protracted legal challenge should not be necessary. After all, healthy community relations are of paramount importance to the mandate of a responsible corporation.
Steve Perkins
Blair Road, Texada Island
