A perfect time to reopen Clover Point to cars
Thursday, Dec. 21 will be the first day of winter. This would seem to be an opportune time for the City of Victoria to evaluate the experiment to make most of Clover Point a “car-free zone.”
Clover Point is a windswept chunk of rock in the North Pacific. The average annual ocean temperature is 8.6 degrees Celsius which ensures that there is always a cool — if not frigid — breeze over Clover Point.
As a result, for most of the year, and even some days in summer, the point is best appreciated from within some form of shelter, such as an automobile.
What is more, the point itself is at the bottom of a large hill, meaning that it will never be an “all ages and abilities” venue for pedestrians or cyclists. Observers of Clover Point know that the picnic tables are rarely used, even in the height of summer, while the parking spaces on the east side are heavily oversubscribed.
It is time for the city to draw the correct conclusion from this experiment and send a small crew for a few hours to remove the bollards and picnic tables and reopen the west side of the point to cars.
This slight expenditure will allow storm watchers and sunset lovers alike to enjoy one of the city’s most enchanting venues throughout the coming months.
What a great Christmas present and Happy New Year that would be!
John Thomson
Victoria
Save the money, leave the square as it is
Re: “Centennial Fountain,” Dec. 17.
The detailed article about the history of Centennial Square was very interesting to read, especially the parts that reviewed the important design features that were incorporated in the initial plans to make it a successful civic square.
I remember being able to buy an Air Canada ticket in the “mall area” that was set up to encourage foot traffic in the square.
The article also discussed how many of these well-thought-out ideas have slowly been taken out of the square, and then some wonder why the place is devoid of people during certain times of the day. Not thinking a ping-pong table and a few plastic lawn chairs with some green carpeting are going to solve that particular problem.
With the mayor of Victoria wanting to “look under rocks” in order to reduce a potential hefty property tax increase next year, why not leave the historic water fountain alone and find other ways to make use of the scarce resources that the city has at its disposal?
Does something like a new swimming pool project come to mind?
I hope the mayor, council and senior staff with the city had a chance to read this article. If so, that might prompt them to take a second look at this silly idea of trying to turn parts of the square into a big splash pad that comes with a big corresponding price tag attached to it!
Vince Kreiser
North Saanich
Mourning a fountain and a changed city
Re: “Centennial Fountain,” Dec. 17.
It hurts my heart.
The younger generations, the newcomers, the out-of-towners who have moved to Victoria, and now are firmly in control, want to change the history of our beautiful city.
A fountain in Centennial Square. What good is it?
No regard for history. No regard for those that volunteered their labour.
Just a blank statement of we don’t need this anymore.
It was a gift. It was a labour of love for some. It was a chance to show their skill in design and implementation.
So what. We live here now. We now rule this city. We will make the changes we demand.
History be damned.
City of Gardens. Be damned.
We are now the City of Lousy Grasses blowing in the wind.
We, the workers who built this city, who protected the city, who made this city a top-notch destination are not so much sad as heartbroken.
To all of you that are creating a city full of homeless, full of crime, full of filth: You’ve won.
It’s your city now. Enjoy.
Dewane Ollech
Victoria
To thrive in the future, don’t deny our past
Re: “Centennial Fountain,” Dec. 17.
A great thanks for the history of Victoria’s Centennial Square and fountain in the Sunday Islander.
Yes, add to the beauty of this space, but losing the fountain and square cannot be countenanced.
This historic mid-century celebration of Victoria’s 100th anniversary is simply a must to preserve. The present is anchored in the past to invigorate the future.
Any council that denies the past strangles the roots by which future growth is sustained.
Patrick Skillings
Victoria
Consequences to the way we cast ballots
I am trying to understand why right-wing populist politics is gaining traction in Canada and the United States as evidenced by the rise of Donald Trump, Danielle Smith and Pierre Poilievre to the positions of leadership. Are there so many people suffering enough hardship in relatively wealthy countries, that the extremist rhetoric often backed up by baseless promises appeals to them?
Or is it that there are a lot of people who don’t really want to work or strive for what they need or think they want, that empty promises and extremist views have great appeal because these same people think those responsible for the hardship supposedly wrought upon them will be held accountable.
There is no free lunch without consequences, and if your vote has right tendencies then you will get the government you deserve.
Mike Wilkinson
Duncan
We are helping others with that borrowing
Re: “Government debt makes our lives better,” letter, Dec. 15.
Being a simplistic soul I have never understood to whom our government/country is in debt.
If we are in debt to organizations in Canada, aren’t we just keeping the money moving within the country and isn’t that a good thing?
I thank the writer for pointing out that there have been “substantial gains made by working people as a result of large government investment.”
Therefore we, as taxpaying Canadians, are actually helping each other.
Is that bad?
Wendy Wardle
Cadboro Bay
Another benefit of the federal dental plan
Don’t worry about not getting your life-saving chemotherapy in a timely manner.
You will soon be able to spend the waiting time getting your teeth cleaned at the dentist.
Judy Phillips
Victoria
EVs will be better when the power is out
Re: “EVs a great idea until power goes out,” letter, Dec. 15.
With all the power outages on the Island and across the country, it’s a good thing we have electric vehicles. Most Island residents drive an average of 25 kilometres a day.
Most EVs have a range greater than 400 km or 16 days of driving, leaving lots of electricity available for driving or moving it from the vehicle to the grid.
This V2G technology powers bi-directional charging, making it possible to take the energy stored in the car’s battery and push it back into the power grid.
I guess the writer suggesting we get a ride from friends with an internal combustion vehicle isn’t aware that during a power failure, gas station pumps fail.
Fuel pumps in modern stations are powered by electricity. These pumps require electricity to function.
Makes you think.
Larry Humphreys
Oak Bay
Pumps need electricity to give you gas
Re: “EVs a great idea until power goes out,” letter, Dec. 15.
In reply to this letter, if a power failure could be predicted, I suggest fill up your gas tank, or charge your EV, as both vehicles need electricity to function.
The only difference is the gas car need electric powered pumps to fuel into it. Both are affected, but one is cleaner.
Ergo, EVs are still a better idea!
Rod Stiebel
Langford
Fort Street an impetus for amalgamation
Re: “Victoria mayor says the city needs to look for savings,” Dec. 13.
When it comes to looking for savings, I wonder if Victoria’s mayor and council will turn over the rock of amalgamation, and finally admit that the province needs to step in and save them from themselves.
After completely destroying Fort Street with unneeded and expensive bicycle lanes, they should recognize that they long ago jumped the shark, and should therefore be cancelled by a higher power.
Trevor Amon
Victoria
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