More about madness, hardly about hubris
Re: “Greek playwrights gave best examples of hubris,” letter, July 4
The letter-writer says “Geoff Johnson is incorrect in attributing William Shakespeare’s Hamlet as the most effective example of hubris.”
Johnson cites King Lear, Macbeth and Julius Caesar, but he does not mention Hamlet in his column, probably because it is more about madness, revenge and corruption than it is about hubris.
Rob Harvey
Saanich
Leashes on pet animals are not a reason for grief
Re: “Many reasons to grieve after decision on dogs,” letter, July 5.
What an absurd assertion; “grieving” over a regulation that requires dogs to be leashed in certain areas.
This contributor clearly doesn’t understand what real grief is. Perhaps she might turn her mind to losing a loved one, the situation in Ukraine, the starvation in sub-Saharan Africa, and the drug pandemic here in Victoria and the Lower Mainland that is taking the lives of families’ loved ones.
These are just a few examples of situations that are indeed worthy of grief and grieving. Dogs on leashes and the inconvenience that might occur are not.
I suggest dog owners walk their dogs, on leashes, in their neighbourhoods. If this is unsatisfactory then jump in the car and drive to an area where off-leash is allowed.
We seem to forget that although dogs are indeed loved pets and companions for many, they are animals, not human beings.
John Stevenson
Victoria
Where is the ‘center’ of a street in Victoria?
I have long ago accepted the fact that American spelling is to be expected in the Times Colonist crossword puzzles.
However, I wonder who gave approval of the road sign on the recently “improved” Government Street which states “Vehicles share Center Lane … Yield to bikes”?
The last time I consulted a dictionary the American spelling is “center,” whereas the accepted spelling in Canada is “centre.”
Is there no quality control regarding signs in Victoria? Did the city obtain a job lot of cut-price signs from the States, or does nobody care?
Gordon Wheatley
Victoria
Decision on dogs leaves many questions
If Saanich’s People, Pets, and Parks initiative is so good for Saanich, then why do so many of its residents vocally oppose it?
Coun. Colin Plant says: “There’s no denying three-quarters of the letters and 90 per cent of the public input has been in opposition. I really don’t want to discount the public input, but […] I don’t think the impediment of putting a dog on a leash outweighs the community good […].”
Two points:
1. Who defines: “community good,” if not the community’s own residents through their input to council?
2. Specifically, what measure of opposing public input would have yielded a different outcome? Is it 95 per cent? Or 99.5 per cent?
On the first point, councillors must hold pretty dim views of their residents’ intelligence or motives to so presumptively declare what is good for Saanich.
On the second point, if council’s reply is: “None,” or “It is difficult to say,” then of the many interests which Saanich councillors serve, its residents’ interests are not among these.
If no measure of public input can sway municipal councillors to abide it, then to claim that council serves the “the community good” is facile and dishonest.
What kind of influence causes municipal councillors to pass a proposal in spite of such overwhelming opposition from their community?
What consequences (and from whom) would councillors now face had they abided their residents’ desire to reject or amend the People, Pets, and Parks strategy?
Absent a meaningful answer to these questions, the public must draw its own conclusions about whose interests Saanich council really serves.
Doug Stacey
Esquimalt
A pocket spray to keep dogs away
I am surprised that, in regards to comments about unwelcome off-leash dog encounters, loose dogs jumping and startling or harassing seniors and similar, that there is never any mention made of the fact that there are dog deterrent sprays readily available.
Similar to bear spray but toned down for use on dogs and coyotes, the small canisters can be carried in a pocket or on a key ring and can be deployed to persuade dogs and coyotes to keep their distance and to keep people safe.
Ken Allen
Colwood
Swap accommodations with overhoused seniors
Re: “Unable to downsize, more seniors are living in larger homes with empty bedrooms,” July 5.
A certain non-zero percentage of overhoused seniors might be willing to swap dwellings with underhoused young working families if they are able to find each other, which a web-based housing exchange could accomplish easily.
A young family would continue paying the rent on the apartment they inhabit and are swapping with a senior household.
This would include paying all rent increases and other charges levied by the holder of the apartment, as well as assuming financial responsibility tor maintaining the seniors’ home in exchange for occupying it.
Whoever runs the exchange, preferably a not-for-profit organization with access to confidential databases provided by the province and Ottawa to avoid sloppy vetting and profit-motivated corner cutting, would thoroughly vet the family for solvency, trustworthiness, reliability, and honesty, all admittedly in short supply in these days of rampant financial predation.
This scheme would undoubtedly not alleviate the problem of overhoused seniors on a mass scale, but a certain number of responsible families might find adequate housing by swapping their ridiculously overpriced apartments with seniors wishing to move closer to medical services and remote family members, assuming there are still functioning medical facilities in areas to which there are opportunities for them to relocate.
You don’t correct decades of financialized destruction of an economy overnight, but some fortunate young families might be saved from the derivatives casino cauldron by swapping dwellings with overhoused seniors.
Bill Appledorf
Victoria
We need apartments at moderate prices
Re: “In Greater Victoria, infill housing could be the new recycling,” commentary, July 5.
The Times Colonist allows many viewpoints on its editorial pages. That is a good thing. However, by allowing the gobbledygook of statistics and citations of this writer to try and diminish the views of opponents of “missing middle” housing developments is extraordinarily deceptive.
Read the conclusions, not the commentary. “Clayton Alderney and Gregg Colburn found that the most important factors affecting community homelessness rates are the price and availability of basic apartments.” These are not nineplexes on single-corner lots going for $600,000 each. A developer’s dream come true.
Again, amidst the blather of the analysis and criticism of middle housing opposition, please find this conclusion in his repertoire of citing sources. “Although some people need supportive housing, increasing the supply of moderate-priced apartments is the most effective way to reduce overall homelessness.” Get the point? Moderate priced apartments.
So to all the proponents and shills for the development community, do not denigrate opposition to inappropriate infill housing, build some darned low-rise apartment blocks. Just like Montreal and Paris. Don’t try to jam your dream housing in my backyard.
Max Miller
Saanich
For workers, consider those 55 or older
The supply shortage of staff across all sectors on Vancouver Island is at a critical point.
However there is a huge pool of talented, an experienced workforce that is largely overlooked and underutilized waiting to solve this need, the 55-plus workforce.
There are thousands in this sector looking for employment with so much knowledge and stability to offer.
When people retire they are at their peak of knowledge and understanding of how to apply that knowledge.
Sadly all that knowledge goes with them.
This loss is far more than just their presence as an employee; it’s their role and influence on others around them.
They are far more likely to have a well-established work ethic and will show up on time for each shift and be less likely to take days off on a whim.
Many seniors and retirees are really feeling the devastating effects of rampant inflation. This financial strain can be a root cause of serious mental and physical health issues.
However this situation is a great opportunity for employers. This talent pool is there, now, if they will only think a little outside of traditional hiring practices.
Stop thinking in terms of eight hours a day, five days week. For example how about four-hour shifts to cover your peak demand times.
Or how about hiring them for their knowledge for specific jobs and to support you and influence other staff members.
If ever there was a win-win, this is it.
Roy Summerhayes
Chemainus
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