We elect politicians, we get children
In Canada and in B.C. we elect our politicians to solve problems. Politicians are paid well and yet, these days, I feel ashamed to watch them fighting, yelling at one another like little children and calling each other names instead of actually working to solve the important issues of the day.
Politicians need to use parliamentary time to work together on bills. They need to sit down and talk calmly until they reach well-thought-out and properly vetted ways of moving forward. Their work is important. We are counting on them.
Jean Jenkins
Saanich
Where does this money come from?
Where do these exorbitant NDP cash pledges come from that they are making in their election campaign?
It surely isn’t coming out of their own pockets.
The NDP has already shown that they have no regard for the taxpayer as they repeatedly dump money like it’s rotting fruit while they give millions to for-profit charities, free drugs to addicts and many more absurd cash grabs, mostly to their friends and families.
James Cooper
Retired consultant
Victoria
Without the tax, we would still pay
If we “Axe the Tax,” as some suggest, how long will it take for the oil and gas cartel to backfill in the price vacuum said “axing” would create?
Paying a price on carbon is the least significant issue facing Canadians these days.
Phil Smith
View Royal
Ending free speech for the elderly?
Re: “Many letter-writers are stuck in the past,” letter, Sept 24.
The letter expressed dismay at the types of letters the “Times Colonist chooses to post.”
It continues “I don’t know why the Times Colonist continues to print letters from old privileged people who are completely out of touch with the realities of the modern world, who are stuck in the past.”
I am a bit stuck in the past. The 1970s were a great time, I read the news twice daily, I am 72, and wouldn’t say I am privileged.
If the Times Colonist wants to publish a letter, that is up to the editors. Her letter was provocative, and bordering on ending free speech for the elderly, who made this country what it is today.
One more thing: The modern world is not such a great place, pause your internet feed for a bit, and grab a newspaper!
Rob McKenzie
Duncan
Nuclear energy is a terrible idea
I was dismayed to hear Conservative leader John Rustad promote the subsidization of nuclear power.
Nuclear reactors are dangerous and risky. This is a very bad idea for several reasons.
Given the vagaries of climate change where would these nuclear reactors be built?
Regardless whether one believes in climate change or not, Fukushima must be kept in mind.
Where would the radioactive waste be stored? Perhaps in Rustad’s constituency?
And given that it takes thousands of years (they think) to recycle the waste, is this wise for British Columbia?
On top of this it is extremely costly and would take 20-25 years to build and even more to scale up to production.
This is a terrible idea by a man who wants to be our premier.
Gary Henkelmann
Saanich
Simple solutions for stopping crime
Re: “Simple solutions for road safety,” letter, Sept. 23.
I suppose it’s true that the best solution to all the traffic problems in our city would be if we all simply followed the rules.
In other news, I have a strong hunch that our city’s crime rate would plummet if people would just stop doing crime.
Problem solved, you’re welcome.
Michael Wright
Victoria
Build the ferries where it makes sense
Re: “Build those ferries here in B.C.,” letter, Sept. 19.
A recent letter made a plea to have all possibilities investigated to ensure that the newly ordered B.C. Ferries are built in this province.
While this is a laudable goal, it ignores reality. At this time, any shipyard that might possibly be able to build these ferries is fully occupied with federal work (navy and coast guard). So local capacity is a real issue, at least in the short term.
We need these ferries sooner than later. The investment that would be required to increase capacity in our domestic yards is beyond our means, much less finding enough experienced workers in the province to build the ships.
Give B.C. Ferries the mandate to find shipyards to build these much needed ferries as economically feasible as possible, at home or overseas.
David Collins
Victoria
Those bicycles are also vehicles
Re: “The bike lanes are there, so please use them,” letter, Sept 19.
In the classic “Bicycle Transportation, Second Edition: A Handbook for Cycling Transportation Engineers,” by John Forester, it states that cyclists are allowed to ride in the centre of the road under certain conditions.
Specifically, cyclists can “take the lane” when the lane is too narrow to be safely shared with another vehicle. This practice helps ensure the safety of cyclists by making them more visible to drivers and avoiding potential hazards on the side of the road.
This also applied even when bike lanes are available, provided there is no traffic behind them. Therefore, the cycling picture in the Sept. 15 edition of the Times and Colonist is valid.
Keep in mind that a bicycle is also a vehicle.
Fayu Zhang
Saanich
Many valid reasons to be out of bike lanes
Re: “The bike lanes are there, so please use them,” Sept. 19.
The letter asked why a cyclist pictured is riding in the middle of the road rather than in the newly built bike lanes south of Shelbourne, and extends that to other instances of cyclists not riding in the bike lane.
Besides the fact that the road in question is closed to all but local traffic right now, so there’s no real issue, there are many reasons cyclists might do this.
Here’s a few of them:
• The lane is obstructed by a parked car or delivery vehicle.
• The lane is obstructed by construction and we’re told to take the lane.
• Pedestrians are walking in the bike lanes.
• A cyclist wants to pass slower cyclists.
• The bike lane is very busy (given the success of our bike lanes) and the cyclist feels it’s safe to move to the general vehicle lanes.
• The cyclist needs to get to a place that’s not served by a bike lane.
• The cyclist needs to turn left ahead and it’s easier to do so from the car lane. I don’t do this so I can tell you how awkward the two-stage process is from the bike lanes.
As for the flashing lights, I stop to activate them but you’re supposed to stop regardless. It’s incumbent on drivers (of which I’m also one) to watch for pedestrians and cyclists.
Most drivers in Victoria are considerate if they’re aware of you, so I don’t want a few bad apples to give drivers a bad reputation.
Christine Astle
Saanich
Plenty of priorities ahead of that square
I really had to cringe when hearing the old song and dance of money slated for fixing up Centennial Square, which is inhabited by only a few homeless at any given time.
Prettying up this concrete slab will not bring droves of people downtown, especially as it is becoming less people-friendly every day.
Improvements to Royal Athletic Park bring on a secondary cringe, although I suppose it will be a plus for primarily sports fans.
But I have to wonder why there is no money to replace the duct-taped chairs in the waiting room at Royal Jubilee Hospital, or the lack of usable washrooms downtown, apart from the Bay Centre.
Oh and yes, has anyone seen Pandora Avenue lately?
Valerie Bellefleur
Victoria
If we pay them more, they will listen to us
It is obvious that Victoria councillors need to be paid more so that they will willingly listen to the “pheasants” who are squawking about their actions of late.
N. Frank Jamieson
Campbell River
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