After four decades, sewage treatment
Hurray! I am so pleased that Victoria has finally caught up with the real world.
In January 1981, as I was being orientated to my new job as a community health nurse with the Capital Regional District, I asked the medical health officer about sewage treatment in the area.
He scoffed at my question, and said “we have the Strait.”
Forty years later, you have more than that.
Thank you, thank you, thank you. Better late than never.
Jeannette Lucas
Halfmoon Bay
Want the sun to rise an hour later?
If you think that the mornings are depressingly dark now, just think what they will be like if we adapt year-round daylight time and we have an additional hour of darkness in the morning lasting until 9 a.m.
If you think that is bad, imagine living in Fort Nelson where sunrise would be at 11 a.m.!
Permanent daylight time may work in California where the winter nights are not nearly as long as ours. but for us it makes no sense whatsoever.
The current system of time shifting was developed so that we could make the best use of daylight throughout all of the seasons and has worked well for decades.
So unless the Earth changes its orbit, what our neighbours to the south choose to do is not necessarily the best solution for us in B.C
Let’s give this some sober second thought before making a mistake that most of us will regret.
Jerry Wyshnowsky
Victoria
There might be better ways to gather
A while back, we heard people claiming a lack of consistency in the rules in B.C. imposed on church assembly restrictions versus those for bars and restaurants, claiming churches were short-changed.
On the other hand, I am not aware of any churches having volunteered to forgo their extra tax breaks.
Give all the non-religious service clubs, charities, and secular interest groups, doing charitable work or not, equal treatment with churches, whether in taxation or COVID regulations, with no exceptions.
It is just as bad that in the secular sphere some think tanks are supported by large corporations using their strength in the economy to pass on money attracting tax breaks. This is taken in the course of business from unwitting ordinary citizens to advance already powerful corporate interests.
The lobbying and one-sided “education” serves to block out alternative paths of thinking that might indicate better ways.
Glynne Evans
Saanich
A special thanks to police officers
Victoria Police Chief Del Manak and his team should be applauded for their efforts to get dangerous criminals and deadly drugs off of the streets of British Columbia.
Yes, there are robust discussions that need to happen about decriminalization, safe supply and harm reduction, but we must also acknowledge the role of law enforcement in removing dangerous substances and weapons from our communities.
Especially in 2020, policing has been a complex job faced with some valid criticisms, but this is an example of fundamental, community focused police work.
Thank you to all involved in this multi-jurisdiction effort, which will have positive ripple effects for people across the province.
Jessi-Anne Reeves
Victoria
Preparation key for youth ‘aging out’
Re: “More help needed for youth ‘aging out’ of care: report,” Dec. 16.
Maybe it’s just me. But am I the only one that read the article and wanted to cry?
That is: Cry foul that a report from a provincial youth representative treats youth as so incapable, incompetent and needy!
I mean, a 19-year-old is “suddenly left to figure out everything about their lives” including finding a doctor or someone to talk to? Seriously!
And did I read right: they “go from being kids to adults in just 24 hours”?
And the tears continue: Can you possibly imagine the terror at the end of age 17 and “suddenly aging into” being challenged with the responsibility to vote for the very first time?
And how will they possibly endure “aging into” becoming seniors at 65? More government help, please! And quickly!
But maybe, just maybe, “aging out of care” wouldn’t be as dramatic as Jennifer Charlesworth submits if appropriate programming was provided while in care so youth don’t “suddenly” age out of dependence but rather “engage into” becoming self-reliant, independent adults.
But, maybe it’s just me.
Gordon Zawaski
Parksville
Drivers flout the laws, too
Re: “Cyclists can be partially to blame,” letter, Dec. 10.
I’ve been pedalling for 60 years and spend more time on my bike than in my car. I take offence at the writer’s implication that cyclists break laws more than drivers.
I know that two wrongs do not make a right, but cyclists are not the only guilty ones out there. Most drivers flout the laws or drive in an unsafe manner, some more regularly than others.
Watch any line of traffic and see far too many drivers using electronic devices. At four way stops most drivers don’t fully stop when there are no other vehicles waiting. How about those who run red lights or don’t signal when turning? Is there anyone out there who never drives too fast?
And then there are the unsafe practices that especially endanger cyclists. For example, driving with windows so covered in fog or dew that the driver can’t see out. Driving with tail lights off in the dark, fog or rain rendering the vehicle invisible from behind.
The writer should do more research. Most studies show that bicycle licensing does not work.
Furthermore, I doubt police have the time, interest or people power to write fines for cycling offences.
Incompetent and dangerous drivers and cyclists are not going away. Cyclists should ride like their life depends on their actions. It does.
Dave Secco
Victoria
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