Once again, city planning makes no sense
Many have commented on the “new” Clover Point. I’ve watched (and counted) for weeks.
Amenities: two parking areas, 17 regular spots, 10 disabled/accessible spots, six picnic tables, 12 benches.
Typically observed: 16 of 17 regular spots full; nine of 10 disabled spots empty; all picnic tables and most benches vacant.
There is continual vehicular traffic into and out of this cramped cul-de-sac. The large paved area (two-thirds of the original drive-around) sits empty.
What was there before was fine. What we have now is nonsense.
As part of the complification of Vancouver Street (specifically the three blocks between Johnson and Fort), there are now five concrete bike-parking pull-outs with a total of 26 parking hoops. During eight weeks of daily travel up and down this route, I have noted a bike at a hoop on only two occasions.
Vancouver Street is a route, not a destination. These pull-outs/parking hoops are an expensive waste. This is nonsense.
The city that gave you Clover Point and Vancouver Street is about to dramatically elevate its level of nonsense planning.
I’m told that the closure of Richardson Street to through traffic is imminent. Construction is to begin in August.
The end result will adversely affect all of Fairfield/Gonzales and lower Oak Bay in a myriad of ways which have been pointed out in this newspaper and to city council over many months.
Nevertheless, after a refusal to consult further with the Fairfield/Gonzales neighbourhood, it now goes ahead.
Is there no end to this city-inspired nonsense?
C. Stephen Smith
Victoria
Embrace walking to the beach
A number of fellow readers have expressed disappointment with the new layout at Clover Point. They all seem to say that what Victoria needs is a drive-through viewing area for the ocean.
I’m afraid I disagree. We already have far too much casual car use here.
It is bad for the environment and unpleasant for everyone. The time has come to leave the drive-through in the 1950s where it belongs and embrace public transport and walking to the beach.
Of course the generous provision of disabled parking can remain for those in genuine need of access.
George Payne
Victoria
Clover Point redesigned without public support
Close to 80 per cent of Japanese people wanted the Olympics cancelled due to COVID-19. This, of course, would not deter their leaders from plunging ahead with this ill-conceived decision.
The municipal government of Victoria has made decisions that reduced a perfect park to a decimation of its original purpose. There is no doubt in my mind that at least 80 per cent of Victorians are opposed to these changes. So what?
Ed Bird
Victoria
Time for the truth about picnic tables
The City of Victoria’a parks department seems to have a passion for picnic tables. They’ve been installed here, there and everywhere. Now the truth about these contraptions, I do so want to shout:
“They’re a pain in the ass to get into, and a pain in the ass to get out!”
Dennis Minaker
Saanich
‘Unmarked graves’ and a divisive discussion
I was surprised to find such a speculative article on residential schools’ burial practices and the amount of space the Times Colonist provided to the thoughts of Don Vipond and his conclusions around the topic of “unmarked graves.” While this type of article may make the writer feel better about himself, it appears to add nothing more than an apparently uninformed/unsubstantiated opinion to an already divisive discussion.
I am certain that many of the assumptions could be challenged by those who actually experienced residential school life — either as a student, teacher, administrator or employee and those who participated in burials. Unfortunately, most of the latter are no longer with us and, therefore, are unable to defend themselves against such accusations and conclusions.
I arrived in this country as a teenager in the late 1950s and have had no first-hand experience with residential schools. Over the intervening years I have made friends with both religious and lay, who worked in various capacities in the system.
I can’t believe, in fact I know, that they were not the monsters that some people are trying to make them out to be.
Obviously, in hindsight, the residential school system was a dark period in Canadian history and will only be resolved when people of goodwill, from both sides, come together to seek healing and justice, and not a soapbox from which to promote their own agenda or likeability at the polls.
Paul Redchurch
Oak Bay
Mourning over graves comes from my blood
Re: “’Unmarked graves’ — those words speak volumes,” commentary, July 29.
I read with much appreciation, gratitude and deep sadness Don Vipond’s commentary. My paternal grandfather, Hubert Gagnon, was orphaned at seven and placed in a Roman Catholic orphanage in Northern Alberta. His ancestry was French Canadian and Chipewyan.
In the words of the family history, he “escaped” from the orphanage at age 13 and went to work on the boats that went from Fort Vermillion, Alta., to Aklavik, N.W.T.. He survived and thrived.
Married my grandmother, Isabella Smith, of English and Cree ancestry, had children and grandchildren. I am one. And the thought occurred to me, if he had not run away, would I have been at all?
All the same, our family carries the scars of his few years in the orphanage. Childhood trauma causes deep wounds and much pain in adult survivors. Which then, unfortunately, is passed on.
Time to stop. Stop the unwillingness to know what really happened, is still happening. Time to listen with compassion, really hear and respond with so much more than lip service and platitudes.
Thank you Mr. Vipond. I too mourn and for me, it comes from my blood.
Cherie Greenwood
Victoria
Quick way to reduce that crime rate
So if we had a regional police force, the numbers wouldn’t look so bad for the amount of crime in the downtown core.
The amount of crime will remain the same, or increase, the amount of victims will remain the same, or increase. However, the numbers would look a lot better.
I would sure feel safer if my numbers looked better.
Dewane Ollech
Victoria
Here are some signs of the climate emergency
Parked vehicles but empty with the engine running for air-conditioning.
Flying 11,000 athletes from 200 countries to the Olympics.
Doubling the capacity of the Trans Mountain Pipeline.
Lineups at McDonald’s drive-throughs.
Logging old growth.
Bumper-to-bumper camping in 40-foot travel trailers pulled by monster trucks.
Snowbird flyovers.
Modest family homes landfilled and replaced by 4,500 square feet of bells and whistles built for two.
A day at the beach with monstrous plastic inflatables and a wheelbarrow to haul other crap.
Power-washing driveways with potable water.
Cigarette butts on forest hiking trails.
6.8 million Amazon orders shipped every day.
Hyper-logging: Black Friday in the forests everyday!
Note to humans: Mother Nature is just getting warmed up …
Dave Secco
Victoria
SEND US YOUR LETTERS
• Email letters to: [email protected]
• Mail: Letters to the editor, Times Colonist, 201-655 Tyee Rd., Victoria, B.C. V9A 6X5
• Submissions should be no more than 250 words; subject to editing for length and clarity. Provide your contact information; it will not be published. Avoid sending your letter as an email attachment.
