A rabbi’s kindness enriches a life
I am a 91-year-old retired Anglican priest living in the United Kingdom.
I lived in Victoria until I was 15 when, in 1948, my father was invalided out of the Royal Canadian Navy, and my parents relocated the family to Britain, their home country, where I’ve lived ever since.
Before that, when I was 13 or 14, I was given a book entitled something like One God, the Ways We Worship Him, with sections on Catholic and Protestant Christianity and Judaism. The latter section really sparked my interest.
At about that time, Congregation Emanu-El was served by an American rabbi, Rabbi Pincus J. Goodblatt. I have vague memories — probably from something I read in the Daily Colonist — of the community having been a bit in the doldrums and his being appointed to attempt to revive it.
I went to the rabbi’s house, knocked on the door, and asked if I could attend a service. I can’t imagine how surprised he was at such a request from a random gentile teenager, but he received me kindly, and said the next service was Tisha b’Av — not a very happy introduction to Judaism.
However I went, and subsequently to a number of Sabbath eve services. In fact, I can still remember “Lecha dodi” to the melody they used at that time!
Rabbi Goodblatt’s kindness and the friendliness of the congregants encouraged in me a deep and lifelong respectful and affectionate relationship with Judaism, Jewish people and Israel (not always some of the Israeli government’s policies).
My life has been immeasurably enriched, and for this I am very grateful.
I was delighted to read that Congregation Emanu-El is now so flourishing, and am grateful to the Times Colonist for keeping me in touch with Victoria through its daily bulletins.
Robin Protheroe
(The Revd Canon R.P. Protheroe)
Brighton, England
What is the true cost of new development?
Saanich council threatens us with a tax increase of close to 10 per cent which they, as usual, attribute mostly to inflation although, also as usual, it is greater than the inflation numbers justify.
A large part of the budget consists of “infrastructure maintenance and improvement.”
The need for maintenance on the physical component of “hard” infrastructure is understandable since we have an aging system which needs replacements, but it is curious that most of the actual work appears to be conducted close to areas with new development.
Quiet side streets with underground services close to 100 years old appear to be doing just fine. The balance between expansion and maintenance of our “soft” infrastructure is harder to estimate since much of it is concealed indirectly in allowing the deterioration of services.
Saanich, in line with provincial regulations, charges developers about $9,000 for each new apartment being built. This development charge is imposed with the intention of covering the added infrastructure (soft and hard) costs to the district.
However, published studies (Canadian Urban Institute) calculate that the actual added infrastructure cost for new developments in general is much greater, close to $78,000 for each apartment with two residents.
The difference between these two numbers would go a long way to explaining the high tax bill, raising the question of just how much all the new construction is costing the resident taxpayers. An interesting contrast is provided by Campbell River, which has little major new construction and where the 2024 tax increase is 3.5 per cent.
Developers have always claimed that new construction reduces local taxes by expanding the tax base.
Experience here, as in many other cities, seems to indicate the opposite.
We deserve sufficient budget detail to show exactly what is being spent on necessary infrastructure maintenance and how much is required by the added load from new construction.
The resident taxpayers would then be able to decide the extent to which they wish to add to their tax bill to support the new developments.
Alec Mitchell
Saanich
Treatment of firefighter was disrespectful
I don’t know Josh Montgomery, but I stand with him. He definitely needs an apology from the people who have treated him in such a disrespectful and disgusting way.
All he did was voice his concerns for his family and his community. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that.
His treatment has been despicable.
My son was the assistant fire chief for Langford. He passed away a little over a year ago from cancer.
This is one of the many risks that these brave men and women face, but they face all that goes with their job with a pure heart and they need to be recognized appropriately.
They need our thanks for keeping us safe everyday and they deserve to feel safe in return.
Diane Ball
Saanich
Political games and the rights of parents
While Premier David Eby and Victoria Marianne Alto publicly spat like two-year olds for political gain, let us not lose sight of two important issues.
First of all, the mayor and council approved a highly controversial plan that has the potential to negatively impact many quiet residential neighbourhoods and possibly endanger the public, without any public consultation.
Secondly, a first responder who has witnessed first-hand the dangers of such a decision and whose own family and quiet residential neighbourhood are targeted for such an upheaval has been reprimanded for speaking out against this decision.
Apparently some clause in his collective agreement takes away his right to speak his mind in order to protect his family. How is it possible that a concerned parent and taxpayer can be muzzled when it comes to an issue that impacts the well-being of his children?
Let’s ignore the political gamesmanship and focus on the real issues: an expensive and scary decision made by an irresponsible council and the right of a concerned father and first responder to speak out to protect his family.
Thank you, Josh Montgomery, for having the courage of your convictions and thank you for your service.
Pat Jackson
Victoria
Urban tree loss and potential lawsuits
Everywhere you look Greater Victoria is under assault from the rush to build so-called affordable housing.
There are many talking points on this subject, too many for this short precis, but I am wondering, with all of the mature trees being taken down in the process, if we’re going to get bit in the bum by it.
Just in the last week, there were two articles in the Times Colonist about how important old, urban trees are to our future.
In many jurisdictions, fossil fuel companies are facing lawsuits because of their hand in human caused climate change.
Could municipal governments and/or developers similarly end up in court down the road for removing trees and thereby exacerbating the effects of climate change … reductions in the removal of carbon, lack of shade, higher urban temperatures, flooding, slides and heat-related deaths?
If nothing else, maybe this little letter will sow enough concern in the minds of those responsible and slow the chainsaws.
Dave Secco
Saanich
Memories of the Mars as it was converted
As the Hawaii Martin Mars water bomber and nine Snowbirds flew in formation over Sidney for the last time, it was with a catch in the throat I remembered the hard-working crew who completed the conversion of these giant planes to water bombers.
In 1961, my husband Jim “Red” Hunter was recruited by Dan McIvor to work on the conversion of the Martin Mars aircraft for Fairey Aviation on Vancouver Island.
In October, Jim, myself and three-year-old Sean moved from Vancouver to Sidney, a moving truck to follow in a week. We found a tiny cottage on East Saanich Road and Jim went to work at Pat Bay airport.
Arriving home from work and marvelling at the aircraft built at the peak of wartime technology, he would say, tiredly dropping his shoes on the floor, “everything is so darn BIG!”
I realize now the men on that crew were highly experienced at the job, many with wartime training working on fighting aircraft.
Brilliant foreman was Nils Christensen, years later initiated into the Canadian Aviation Hall of Fame and founder of Viking Air.
The task was completed in three years with many ups and downs. The loss of the “Caroline” in typhoon Freda, which followed the tragic crash of “Marianas” with the loss of four air crew, and all along the way inspired teamwork and successes.
Until the jubilant day the last Mars conversion was launched at Patricia Bay.
Brilliant.
Doreen Hunter
Sidney
Microplastics end up in everyone’s bodies
Re: “Microplastics are everywhere, but are they really hurting us?” Aug. 11.
That’s the problem! They are passed through the food chain and end up in everyone’s bodies, more so in industrial areas.
Denial to the hazards revealed by medical research came out pretty fast, didn’t it ? Sadly, governmental response to clinical research will be slow.
Malcolm Oakes
Duncan
SEND US YOUR LETTERS
• Email: [email protected]
• Mail: Letters to the editor, Times Colonist, 201-655 Tyee Rd., Victoria, B.C. V9A 6X5
• Submissions should be no more than 250 words; subject to editing for length and clarity. Provide your contact information; it will not be published. Avoid sending your letter as an email attachment.
