A bit of kindness in the ferry lineup
In a world where there is so much bitterness, uncertainty and negative output, I just needed to let everyone know that kindness and respect is still alive.
On Feb. 1 I was about to board a ferry to Victoria after a medical appointment in Vancouver.
The lines of traffic had just started to move when my daughter and I noticed an older man trying to run with his walker down the parking area, to what we assumed was his vehicle.
His vehicle was quite some distance behind where we had been parked and now stood alone as everyone else had gone around.
Just as he had passed us, his legs gave out and he had to sit on his walker. I was just about to jump out of the vehicle (and I must admit I wondered how I would get on board) when we noticed a B.C. Ferries truck patrolling the area turn around and pull up beside the gentleman.
The driver got out and pushed him on his walker to his waiting vehicle. She did more than most people would have done, as it put her in a position of being less than six feet from this individual.
I have to believe that he was able to get on the ferry and all ended well, but my point being, this person went above and beyond what was expected of her.
I am sure he thanked her, but my daughter and I thanked her. Thank you for being kind! Thank you for thinking of another before yourself! Thank you for working for B.C. Ferries. I hope they know what a special person you really are.
Lynne Hopkins
Victoria
PETA’s latest idea the runt of the litter
Not to put a monkey wrench in PETA saying we should stop using animals to describe a person, but people are having a whale of a time, and are not being sheepish in their ridicule. As to not parrot the negativity from my friends, I also refuse to rat them out.
When I first read what PETA wanted I thought they were just horsing around, and it was just a hare-brained publicity stunt. Without turning possum, I am willing to go hog wild in kangaroo court for a debate on not using animal names in our English language.
After all these years of animal degradation, perhaps PETA is dog tired, and in need a catnap, or maybe a big bear hug. My hope is that they do not go ape on us, and will show some puppy love in educating us in the merits of knowing what all the animal names mean.
Considering PETA loves animals, it is the most lionhearted thing to do.
Mur Meadows
Victoria
Knox column inspires a note of thanks
Jack Knox’s witty, but sensitive, Sunday column entitled “Dear Alberta” prompted this note of appreciation.
These are difficult times and emotions run high as we observe troubling world and domestic issues.
The Times Colonist has demonstrated a commitment to maintaining a positive and respectful focus while presenting difficult and often opposing viewpoints. You still manage to produce a paper which continues to offer something for everyone.
To all the TC employees, including delivery folks, thank you and keep up the good work.
Solweig Williams
Comox
Stop all non-essential international travel
Enough is enough! I am so tired of this. I have adhered to all of Dr. Bonnie Henry’s recommendations for precautions, from cancelling trips, family gatherings and socializing.
We have been doing this for a year and like most of us who are obeying the orders, are getting tired and frustrated.
But the latest headline is enough for me to go on a tirade. It appears that all we are doing is taking business away from Canadian airlines and giving it to U.S. carriers.
We are not going to stop people from travelling if there’s a way. But the final straw is this: who is going to pay to bail out the Canadian airlines?
It’s time we put the pressure on to stop all non-essential international travel in and out of Canada.
May Mitchell
Courtenay
Those licence plates are not welcome here
Why were two passenger vehicles travelling on the Pat Bay Highway, one with an Oregon licence plate, the other with a Saskatchewan licence plate?
Why were they even on Vancouver Island? It defies comprehension.
Sally Clarkson
Brentwood Bay
Many ways to enter Manitoba
I’m surprised that there has not been a greater reaction to Premier John Horgan’s recent assurance that there are only four roads into and out of Manitoba, whereas B.C. has too many roads into the province to permit any kind of travel restrictions.
I took a quick look at a map; I was able to count no less than 16 roads and highways crossing Manitoba’s boundary with Saskatchewan alone. Then, looking at B.C.’s boundary with Alberta, I was able to see just five roads leading through the Rocky Mountains, connecting the populated areas of the two westernmost provinces.
Did Horgan expect anyone to question his statement? Or did he think that we’d all be so busy laughing along with him, scoffing at Manitoba, that we’d fail to notice his errors in Canadian geography?
Bob Johns
Chemainus
Don’t put people at risk when getting the vaccine
There is an old Soviet Union joke about the country’s curfew which was in force in the 1950s from 9 p.m. until 6 a.m.
Two soldiers were watching for anyone out during curfew. About 8:45 p.m. they noticed a man scurrying along the street. One soldier promptly raised his gun and shot the man dead, explaining to his companion that he knew where the man lived and he wouldn’t make it home in time.
Which brings me to my point about the vaccine rollout in British Columbia which has been targeting those residing in long-term care and assisted living, while neglecting those seniors living in independent living facilities because they know where we live.
When more vaccine is readily available,
those in independent living facilities will be expected to leave their safe environments and make the unsafe trek to a vaccine clinic nowhere near their home.
The annual flu vaccine clinics can be and are done “in house” with great efficiency. So too can the COVID-19 vaccine (no matter the manufacturer) be doled out just as efficiently, in house, and under the local health authorities’ supervision.
Chris Spratt
Victoria
Government should help provide bus service
The provincial government is responsible, it seems to me, for assuring bus service throughout the province.
Fortunately, private companies such as Wilson have stepped in to provide transportation, but the provincial and federal governments need to subsidize bus service, where required, to assure continued service.
There are many valid reasons people require to travel between cities — family, health care, employment, for example.
Just as ferries and local bus service is essential, so is intercity travel on occasion.
I had to rent a car last March to drive a person back to her home in Port Alberni because the bus service had been cancelled. Otherwise, she would have been stranded and homeless in Victoria.
The province needs to quit dilly-dallying around, and embrace their responsibility on this important issue.
If the provincial government is serious about cutting carbon emissions and support alternative transportation modes to cars, they need to fix this gap in transportation, and that means financial support for companies like Wilson.
William Tate
Victoria
We do not pay for multi-tasking
Victoria Coun. Ben Isitt says: “Now that the society I helped found has managers and other staff, I’m able to devote more time to my council duties.”
This is an insult to all voters in Victoria. He has been elected (and paid) to work on our behalf and look after our interests, but he freely admits he has been neglecting those duties to pursue his volunteer efforts.
This is galling, coming from a man who a short while ago complained he wasn’t being paid enough for all the hours of work he put in as councillor.
The voters put a lot of trust and power into the hands of our councillors and we expect them to do their job.
Richard Volet
Victoria
Cycling is safer off the cycle path
The Capital Regional District is considering widening part of the Galloping Goose and Lochside trails to separate pedestrians and cyclists.
What a novel idea — sounds safer and more enjoyable for both groups!
It is really too bad that the folks who designed the new pathway along Dallas Road from Clover Point to Ogden Point don’t think that way.
That new path has pedestrians, dogs, roller skaters and bicycles, with signs that advise the cyclists that they need to yield to pedestrians.
I have watched cyclists weave their way around a plethora of non-cycle traffic all over the path.
Cycling on that path is far more dangerous than cycling on the road along Dallas. I am a cyclist and will certainly stick to the road, where it is far safer.
Louise McGillivray
Victoria
Greg’s pathway plan will save us time and money
Separated biking and walking lanes on the Galloping Goose. Great idea!
Until I saw the price tag: $17.8 million for 6.6 kilometres! That works out to $2.7 million per kilometre, or $2,700 per metre.
Something seems wrong with this picture, so to save us taxpayers some money, I’d like to offer my services.
Surely a bike path is not as complex or costly as a typical roadway.
I’ll take whatever training is necessary, hire a bunch of guys with shovels, rent some mini backhoes and whatnot, and do it all for, say, a mere $15 million! (And likely in a shorter timeframe as well.)
Greg Patrick
Fairfield
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