Give council credit for its pay decision
I have agreed with most Victoria council decisions this term. The pay issue they got wrong, but then showed tremendous integrity by righting the ship.
It is very similar to John Horgan, when he was premier, cancelling plans to build a new Royal B.C. Museum building. Let’s allow politicians to get things wrong, but acknowledge it and change course when required.
That’s rare in politics these days.
John Redekopp
Victoria
Actually, no real skills are required
Re: “Victoria councillors could earn much more,” letters, Aug. 2.
The letter states that “Someone of their skill set in the public sector would earn quadruple of what they are being paid.” Perhaps I am missing something here, but I have always thought that anyone could run for council and no particular skill set is required.
Yvonne Andre
Campbell River
Victoria council makes the mature decision
I’m pleased to see Victoria city council give sober second thought to the pay raise and listen to the public. They did the right thing on this issue, and deserve credit for doing so.
There is no doubt the role of councillor has become far more challenging, especially with the increase in mental health, addiction, housing and climate change.
Council remains an underpaid role, so the changes they’ve set for next term are needed. We need more working professionals in this role, like accountants, parents, and teachers for example.
For now, I applaud the mature decision to listen to the public and make this issue right.
Laura Farris
Victoria
Symphony Splash brings us more joy, more hope
It is the personification of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony “Seid umschlungen Millionen diesen Kuss der ganzen Welt” as all the citizens and visitors from all different participating nations and cultures proved with their attendances and thankful joy at Symphony Splash.
It should never have stopped, as it gave joy and hope for a possible better world in the future, a manifestation of this promise.
Yes, continue this hope for all who come and believe, and above all — with their appearance — promise themselves their agreement and contribution to this promise — as it is possible!
Paula Buchholz
Victoria
Many challenges remain in our relationships
Re: “Water scarcity, forced displacement among challenges we face,” Trevor Hancock column, Aug. 4.
While there’s no doubt we’re seeing a shift in the relationship between humans and Earth, our first priority is doing what must be done to improve intrapersonal and intra-cultural relationships … tackling poverty, affordable housing, ongoing illicit drug use and failing social services … within our own borders.
If we can’t find a way of critically shifting our approach to the causes of conflict and violent behaviour closer to home there’s not much chance of tackling geopolitical violence, whatever the cause.
Ken Dwernychuk
Esquimalt
Please, accept the help that is being offered
Re: “Campers at Irving Park refuse to obey order to leave,” August 4.
Irving Park is James Bay’s central urban park and green space in the core of our community. It belongs to the families, the children, and the seniors living in our community. It should not be anyone’s “home.”
Its gardens and green space (and its washroom facilities, I suppose) have been increasingly taken over in the past few years by the tents and belongings of homeless people.
I rarely see children playing on the playground structures, and I’m sure many residents are uncomfortable with using the park or even walking through it in its occupied state.
I have empathy for homeless people and can understand their despair and frustration. There but for fortune go I.
But according to this story, homes have been offered to people camping in the park but have been turned down. Apparently, and perhaps unsurprisingly, some would prefer camping among the towering trees and flower beds of our community park. It’s a beautiful place.
I hope that they will accept any help that’s offered to them to enable them to move on and try to make whatever positive changes they can to overcome their dire circumstances.
Karla Decker
Victoria
Governments ignore antisemitic hatred
As a federal Liberal and a B.C. NDP voter since its inception, at 85 years old I feel that I may have to vote for the Conservatives since they are the only party to publicly declare support for the Jewish community. (I am not Jewish.)
Our governments at all levels seem to stand by while the antisemitic hatred spews in our streets and pro-Hamas mobs rule without restraint.
What happened to “Law and Order” and “A Just Society”?
Jean Anderson Reid
Saanich
Buses on railway tracks would save money
Some years ago, the idea of running buses on railway tracks from downtown to the West Shore (and maybe farther) was raised.
This would eliminate the tearing up of track and paving it over for a single road.
These buses could get on the track west of the new bridge and travel to Langford with a few stops in between and run a circle route in that area and return to downtown in less than two hours.
With a track siding halfway through, two buses could make the run together in each direction.
All that would need to be done is cut the weeds away from the track and replace some wooden ties and upgrade the gravel ballast.
And that won’t cost $95 million.
Bill Kral
Victoria
Unvaccinated workers would pose real risks
Re: “Give the health workers their back pay,” letter, August 3.
The writer who feels removing unvaccinated workers was harmful to the medical system does not address the extreme costs (medically and financially) to patients who catch COVID or influenza from unvaccinated workers.
Unvaccinated asymptomatic carriers have the potential for virus spread and these days hospital patients are a highly vulnerable population.
The two years of the pandemic were insufficient to affect RN credentials, which are good if they practise within the previous five years.
Kudos to Health Minister Adrian Dix and Dr. Bonnie Henry for having the willpower to take a stand to protect those at risk despite how unpopular it made them.
Fern Davey
Saanich
Unvaccinated health workers put others at risk
I did not want to be seen nor treated by an unvaccinated health-care worker. If they chose to be unvaccinated, they chose not to work.
As a senior, I did not need to increase the odds of getting sick.
Gerald Marantz
Parksville
Create unhoused area on the old school grounds
Re: “Plenty of land for the homeless,” letter, Aug. 3.
I agree with most of the proposals, except for location.
That land at Government and Pembroke has been remediated and turned over to the Esquimalt and Songhees First Nations. We have no right to take it back again, nor should we tell them how to use it.
Instead we should choose a location with an established park-like condition that is owned by the provincial government.
The writers suggestion of supporting structures and amenities is spot on. Add around-the-clock security.
No camping would be allowed in the city. If a tent goes up anywhere, police and/or bylaw enforcement would direct the campers to the corner of Hillside and Blanshard on the grounds of S.J. Willis.
I would also suggest that Victoria council just do it.
Don’t wait years for the province to study it to death.
Start on by moving in porta-potties and garbage bins to the southwest corner. Then put protective fencing around the trees and begin building the platforms.
Should be done in less than a week, and start moving people in. Now it really is the provincial government’s problem. Remember how quickly they sorted out the courthouse?
Let us see Victoria council go rogue. Let them show the province just how it’s done.
The days of tents popping up all over the city would come to an end and a well-managed and maintained homeless transitional park would be created. Think of the cost savings for taxpayers and the dignity that the homeless would be treated to.
Kim Skelly
Victoria
Let’s be like Europe, let’s clean those streets
About three years ago, I sent a letter to the mayor asking that the sidewalks on Government Street be cleaned.
The reply was that the city was purchasing a machine to do just that and it would soon be accomplished.
More than a year ago, I wrote once again and again was assured that it was all in hand.
Streets in many European cities are cleaned daily. I have never seen a mess such as I see in our own downtown.
Anne Bell
Victoria
More information before speeds are lowered
View Royal council recently proposed dropping speed limits, including on the Island Highway.
Coun. Ron Mattson is quoted: “We may upset a few people but who cares? Because the reality is … it’s going to save lives.”
I ask exactly how many fatalities have occurred from people driving 40 km/h, the current limit?
Apparently the town staff will bring back a project summary this year about how the multi-year project can be rolled out.
Multiple years? Really? To change a few signs? I guess “who cares” about wasting taxpayers’ money as well.
But don’t worry because “staff have said that public engagement will help inform any decisions that are made.”
Does Mattson not care about public opinion on this matter?
John Ryan
View Royal
Premier should name AI to his cabinet
Re: “Tech helps to keep seniors safe at home,” Aug. 2.
Health Minister Adrian Dix has just launched a scheme using machines to look after seniors. If this project has one‑tenth the success of Urgent and Primary Care Clinics, it will qualify as a triumph.
Somehow this news does not leave me feeling greatly reassured about my prospects for medical care during my declining years.
Perhaps Premier David Eby could appoint AI to replace Dix and come up with solutions for the province’s health-care system woes.
It’s bound to have some better ideas.
Barbara Abercrombie
Victoria
There is still a need for the human touch
Re: “Tech helps to keep seniors safe at home,” Aug. 2.
I can now look forward to a virtual future with no need for human contact. Online appointments with my family doctor (if I have one), automatic pill dispensing, AI monitoring and robotic care will all help cut healthcare costs.
However, the U.S. Centre for Disease Control and Prevention recognizes that social isolation and loneliness is a risk factor for heart disease, diabetes, depression, dementia and early death.
The U.K. has appointed a Minister of Loneliness to examine the need for both virtual and in person contact for human health.
The U.K. National Health Service offers proactive social prescribing to promote community and reduce isolation.
Many seniors come to B.C. to retire, far from family and friends. Will Health Minister Adrian Dix’s technology prescription and virtual care further reduce in-person human care in the name of efficiencies?
Diana Chana
Victoria
Treat the addiction to end the chaos
When will Victoria council realize that the issue we’re facing here is not homelessness, it’s severe drug addiction?
Creating more temporary housing is only going to exacerbate the chaos on our streets by drawing more people from the Lower Mainland and other parts of the country.
Yes Victoria, that’s what’s happened here.
Since the pandemic, word has spread on Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside that it’s just a short ferry ride to a utopian place with free food, grassy boulevards to pitch a tent, and a good supply of drugs. The dealers (and crime) follow them.
Until large-scale treatment centres are built, and laws changed to permit involuntary removal of these people from our streets, the chaos will continue.
Chris Walker
View Royal
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