Three-block detour with no real benefit
Several months ago, the South Jubilee neighbourhood’s access to Richmond Road (and so to the downtown and northwest) via Leighton Street was suddenly blocked by city public works signs without warning or explanation.
A three-block detour was now required to get anywhere.
Only after a barrage of phone calls, emails etc., did we learn city council had decided without consultation that the obstructed block of Leighton had been selected as a pilot project.
Some time in the dreamy future, it would become a new Fernwood Square where rock bands would play, fairs would be held, etc .
But we have a park for the fair we already hold and can shut down a block temporarily for more — if we want. And we don’t.
Unlike Fernwood Square, here there are no pre-existing stores, no cafe, no theatre and no pub restaurant.
Remember the wise words of English essayist Junius in the 18th century: “The subject who is truly loyal to the Chief Magistrate will neither advise nor submit to arbitrary measures.”
Steve Weatherbe
Victoria
No limit on amount homeowners must pay
Amazing that the province caps annual rent increases to three per cent, or matching inflation, for tenants, but for homeowners it is open season.
It’s party time every year.
Whether it’s an increase of 49 per cent or 26.5 per cent over four years for homeowners, these spendthrifts with their legacy and “nice to have” projects and their aspirational goals, need to be held to account.
Four-year terms were a big mistake. Speak up, voice your disapproval with council, or soon we’ll all be stuck with an annual property tax demand of $10,000 for living in your own home.
Karl Benn
Victoria
When is a subsidy bad? When is a subsidy good?
One of the reasons for placing heavy duties on to Chinese manufactured EVs, including Tesla cars made in China, is because of the Chinese government’s programs subsidizing their automotive industry.
By doing that, it reduces the cost of new cars and undermines Canadian, and some foreign, corporations.
Is it wrong for China to subsidize an industry? When is government funding a subsidy and when is government funding not a subsidy?
On Aug. 12, the governments of Canada and Ontario (and not opposed by either of the official Opposition parties) announced new subsidies to the multinational Goodyear.
This to enhance Goodyear’s capacity to produce new tires for electric vehicles. The subsidies are a part of the governments’ green investment programs.
Part of this has been to encourage foreign corporations to produce EVs and batteries in Canada.
Governments from the national level to the local level are rolling out the red carpet for corporate capital to try to correct climate change.
When China does exactly the same thing, it is automatically conceived as being a bad subsidy leading to unfair competition.
At least the handouts in Canada and the United States are for corporate subsidies for corporations not based in China.
Robert Townsend
Saanich
Time for a walk in the snow, like his father’s
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau must be remarkably tone deaf if he still “insists that he has what Canadians want,” as reported Aug. 27.
He has had a tough year both politically and personally.
This should give him pause to reassess what he and his government still have to offer the country.
Hubris alone will not cut it. The somewhat hesitant endorsement of his leadership that came out of the recent cabinet retreat spoke loads.
Recognizing that the “sunny ways” are well past us (and there were perhaps a few), Trudeau could depart with dignity by leaving now and not subject himself and the country to the disaster for his party that pollsters predict at the next general election.
His father took a walk in the snow; the son should consider doing the same.
David Collins
Victoria
Neighbourhood design guidelines are needed
The construction of an overly large house, far out of character and incompatible with the existing nine homes on Revercomb Place in Rockland, is a travesty albeit in compliance with City of Victoria building codes.
It clearly demonstrates that Victoria is light years behind other neighbourhoods and municipalities such as Uplands, the Districts of North and West Vancouver, Shaughnessy and Point Grey, which all for decades have had approved neighbourhood design guidelines to protect the desirable visual integrity of these special residential neighbourhoods.
Victoria owes it to its residential taxpayers to correct this.
Jim Cuthbert
Victoria
It costs more and more to live in Saanich
Re: “Saanich expenses need to be reined in,” letter, Aug. 24.
Don’t forget that about a decade ago that our sewer cost used to be in our house taxes and now is on our water bill. Please add $600 to $800 to your ever-increasing house taxes.
Dennis Bourne
Saanich
Check assessments for local averages
After paying property taxes in Saanich for 50 years, I finally know how individual property tax increases are calculated.
A friend told me his taxes were up over 20%. How could that be when Mayor Dean Murdock said the average tax increase was less than 10%.
A Saanich staffer explained to me you will only get the average increase if your property’s assessed value has the same average increase as other properties in your area.
The average increase is shown on your B.C. Assessment notice. If your assessment increase is more than the average, your tax increase is more than the average.
I will be paying close attention to that item on the assessment notice. And perhaps asking for my assessed value to be reduced to the average for my area.
Chuck Pusateri
Saanich
Crime in the city, peace in the country
When I drove down Pandora Avenue I thought I was at the Hartland Landfill, with all that trash and filth. Now, Victoria council wants to spread this joy to the Dowler Place neighbourhood.
When we coddle and indulge people who exhibit antisocial and criminal behaviour, why are we surprised when problems escalate?
As a pensioner living in the city centre I was assaulted twice. I was the victim of several threats and one break in. I moved to a low-crime area on the Peninsula and can now sleep at night.
Why do the rights of criminals trump those of law-abiding citizens? Victoria taxpayers deserve better than this.
Cheera Crow
Brentwood Bay
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