Veteran John Hillman an inspiration for all
Re: “Veteran who walked his age in laps dies at 105,” July 10.
In most cultures it is believed that the concept of self-actualization and a life in service to a purpose bigger than yourself is the pinnacle of happiness and success.
John Hillman served his country in the biggest way possible and then later in life offered his services again to help others he didn’t even know.
In these times where we are constantly reminded of our fellow human failings and shortcomings, it does give one hope, that somewhere someone is doing good with no thought to personal benefit.
His family must be very proud. Thank you, John Hillman.
Len Jansen
Langford
That on-campus pool was a primary draw
Re: “Community could help save the UVic pool,” editorial, July 9.
I have just graduated from high school and will be entering a bachelor of education program focusing on recreational and health management starting in September.
Ever since I was very young, a pool has been a place of security and happiness for me, and a place I could find stability as my single-parent family moved across B.C. from Bella Coola, Logan Lake, Powell River and eventually Comox.
During these times, swimming helped me to work towards personal goals and connect with others. Now as a lifeguard and swim instructor, one of the main draws to the UVic campus was its accessible, small pool where I was looking forward to exercising and possibly finding a part-time job to help fund my education.
It is devastating to know its closure was announced only after I accepted my offer of admission over other institutions.
The repairs to the UVic pool would cost very little in comparison to that of Victoria’s Crystal Pool, and could be used as a substitute until the funds are allocated for the repairs to the other pool.
A community initiative in this instance would be a substantial undertaking, but I believe that the citizens of Victoria and Vancouver Island as a whole would be up to this challenge to help preserve this place of recreation, health and community building.
Ariel Mackenzie
Comox
Let the City of Victoria use the university pool
Re: “Community could help save the UVic pool,” editorial, July 9.
After a quick internet inquiry, I find it difficult to understand how the University of Victoria could not find $1.5 million to upgrade its pool and continue to offer the pool to the groups that will no longer be able to use the pool.
The inquiry indicated that the “University of Victoria has net reserve funds of $699.6 million ($861.0 million in cash and investments less $161.4 million in interest-bearing debts).
So, having net assets of $861 million, not being able to find $1.5 million for the upgrade is hugely disappointing. There must be some other reason that they want to close the pool that they are not disclosing.
Perhaps an alternative might be to have the City of Victoria negotiate with the university to provide pool facilities to the users that will be displaced by the closure of the Crystal Pool.
That way they could satisfy the needs of the public, the university students as well as the various groups that use the facility. Perhaps too simplistic, but scheduling is likely the key component to make this work.
Ernie Kuemmel
Oak Bay
Add a question to the pool referendum
Given that the City of Victoria will be holding a referendum on the Crystal Pool, could it not have added a second question about creating a water park at Centennial Square?
Alanna Wrean
Victoria
Police are protecting freedom of speech
Re: “Weekend protests have become absurd,” letter, July 10.
The letter questions why we spend tax dollars to police a march every week through downtown Victoria.
As one of the people in that march, I can say exactly why the police are there. It is to protect my right to free speech.
I hope many more people will express their right to free speech and join us on Saturday. We could all use a generous dose of humanity.
Jeff Magee
Langford
Another senior ready to witness the sequoia
Re: “Seniors are prepared to save the sequoia,” letter, July 10.
Not many years ago I missed the tree cutting at the junction of Government, Wharf and Humboldt streets. I am afraid history will repeat with this sequoia tree.
I, at 82, will be there, if the tree is to be cut. And, I will bring many of my younger friends to witness that too.
Duncan Chiu
Victoria
Thankful for relief from that loud music
Re: “No music, dimmed lights help shoppers during sensory-friendly hours at retailers,” July 9.
Yes, finally the stores have figured out that blaring unpleasant noise at people does not make them stay long in the store!
Older people can remember when it was quiet and how much more pleasant it was. When they started the noise assault — I will not call it music — I’d enter a store that was blaring something at me, I would ask them to turn it off.
If they did not, I left the store.
In the chain stores it is not in their power to do this. It is company policy — they have to do it.
So I’m glad that the management of the stores finally realizes that they are losing business because of this.
Nowadays it seems that people have little regard for others. We were taught not to do things to others that we wouldn’t like done to us.
Now it seems to be “me” first. It would never occur to me to blare my choice of music (classical) at people.
People who want constant noise can carry it around and leave everyone else in peace. This also applies to patios where you are forced to have the full benefit of it just by walking by.
I’ll applaud the change when it gets to Victoria.
Jean McClennan
Saanich
Take responsibility, and take action, too
Re: “School bus seatbelt tests positive but no decision,” July 7.
A year and still no report! Common sense should not take over a year to figure this one out. We have seatbelts in every vehicle we use.
It boggles the mind why it has even taken this long to retrofit all school buses. Take all the funds Ottawa is using to research and write this report … and use it for this!
And whatever happened to taking personal responsibility for your actions? The bus drivers should not have to make sure kids are using them.
Spend a few of the dollars from this report and create a video showing what happens to a crash test dummy that is not wearing a seatbelt in a bus accident! Show the video in an assembly at the start of every school year and let kids make up their own minds.
And while I’m on the topic of personal responsibility, when are we going to stop coddling our university students?
You have to be living under a log to not know we are living in age of tainted drugs. Teach your kids that if they choose to take this risk, they better do it around a responsible friend who has and knows how to use naloxone.
There will be a much better response time and outcome. We shouldn’t have to pass this responsibility onto the university. It’s ultimately a personal choice.
It might be time to bring back those drug ads with the egg being cracked into the hot fry pan.
John Wall
Comox
Crystal Pool is used by the entire region
Re: “Victoria taxpayers, watch the Crystal Pool plan carefully,” commentary, July 6.
David Mason lays out some solid arguments when considering the pros and cons of replacing the Crystal Pool.
I believe he is correct in saying the city simply needs to build a “well-built functional swimming pool … not a recreation facility with all the bells and whistles.”
While he presents a strong argument for taxpayers to keep in mind the potential impact the project could have on household budgets, I am hoping taxpayers will also consider the impact to the community and stakeholders should the city not have a swimming pool at all.
This seems especially relevant given the recent announcement by UVic regarding the closing of their pool in September, and the potential relocation of the downtown Victoria YMCA-YWCA.
But at the end of the day, all I can do is hope. While I am a regular user of the Crystal Pool, I do not live within the City of Victoria and therefore do not vote in the referendum, or face an increase to my tax bill should the project go ahead.
Perhaps that’s the bigger question, but one that should be considered sooner than later: “Does it make sense that the costs of such an important facility to the region be borne solely by the residents of Victoria?”
Margot Inches
Oak Bay
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