Mel Cooper has been an inspiration
What a pleasure to read Telus’ full page tribute to Mel Cooper. I have the privilege of knowing Mel since he graced our community with his presence and positive influence more than 40 years ago.
Mel’s contribution continues to manifest itself in many ways including philanthropy and participation on numerous boards and encouragement of young people. The subject and title of one of his addresses was “I never met an enthusiastic failure.”
Thanks for the inspiration, Mel.
Tony Southwell
Victoria
Why do we need to defend success?
In this race for the city council spot, I have heard bantering over deep pockets and the need to defend financial success.
When did it become a fault to be successful? Did we wake up in 1980 Russia?
Success earned through doing good is what we need more of. Our city and country can only solve its problems with ingenuity and dollars. Our social well-being depends on it.
Victoria is an amazing socially conscious city built on tax dollars. I would prefer a socially conscious councillor with experience and financial success.
Sean Leitenberg
Victoria
Everyone, look at the Beacon Hill mess
Has any reader of the Times Colonist not seen the tragic mess the authorities have allowed to develop in Beacon Hill Park?
If you have not looked, go.
Guy Birchard
Victoria
Ferry signage can still work
In response to B.C. Ferries’ move to save face over its mask sign, rather than going through the expense of replacing the offending signage, why not add the caption “Don’t be a Dick — Wear a Mask.”
Wendy Davies
Victoria
No mandatory mask, but on second thought…
On Nov. 17 an op-ed written by Dr. Bonnie Henry was published in many newspapers throughout the province.
In it she defended her position in not implementing a mask mandate and gave several very sound reasons among them being, that jurisdictions that have strict mandates are experiencing the same surge that we are.
That’s a fact and easily researched.
It’s unbelievable that our top doctor and the one we all look to for guidance would do a 180 degree flip in the space of 48 hours.
Again the public is confused.
Bob Broughton
Saanich
Photograph showed wrong type of farm
I was confused by the recent commentary, “Salmon farming central to Port Hardy’s future.” The article describes salmon farming as “one of our [Port Hardy’s] core economic drivers.”
It has a picture of a closed containment salmon farm south of Port McNeill. All salmon fish farms should be closed containment type.
However, the fish farms near Port Hardy, I believe, are open net farms in the migration paths of wild salmon. I have observed multiple such fish farms going to and from Clayoquot Sound.
Open net fish farms spread lice and damaging viruses to migrating salmon and likely contributed to declining stocks of wild migrating salmon.
It was a deception to place a picture of a closed containment fish farm operation in an article praising an open net operation, not described as such.
We should demand that all fish farming in B.C. be closed containment and not open net in salmon migration paths.
Edwin E. Daniel
Victoria
More cyclists around, more planning needed
Re: “Cyclist collision deserves full investigation,” commentary, Nov. 18.
The accelerated construction of bike lanes, with little consultation, failed to anticipate obvious problems.
a) Bicycles can and do reach speeds between 15 and more than 30 kilometres an hour
b) Cyclists can and do cause injuries
c) Cyclists are not required to have neither identification (plates) or insurance
d) If and when an accident occurs, the victim has no recourse; they can’t identify the culpable party, and if they do there is no recourse for compensation for their injuries.
It is obvious to most that moving away from fossil fuels is ideal.
But this needs to be well planned and well thought through.
Sadly, that is not the case with our council.
Geraldine Glattstein
Victoria
Cyclists cost little, and they help pay for roads
Every couple of months someone decides to raise the issue of cyclists being licensed, bicycles displaying licences and insurance for bikes.
Many of the writers are unaware of the facts.
Until sometime in the mid 1950s bicycles were required to display licences.
Other provinces continued the requirement for a number of year longer, now all have dropped the requirement as too costly, difficult to enforce and of little benefit.
The majority of bicycles are insured through the owner or the parents’ respective homeowner insurance.
The rates because of the potential for theft can be exorbitant in part because there is little effort on the part of the police to recover stolen bikes.
The majority of adult cyclists are also licensed motor vehicle drivers and in most studies are found to be better drivers than non-cyclists — a discount for cyclists when insuring their autos is a reasonable consideration.
How much do cyclists, when not at fault, cost ICBC?
One can assume virtually nothing.
Two years ago I requested the information from ICBC.
They are still compiling the information.
Apparently the costs are so minimal that they do not qualify for a line item in the ICBC accounts.
Another popular complaint about cyclists is they don’t pay a road tax. The fuel tax pays very little of the costs of roads in the province.
The best figures I can find indicate motorists pay in the order of 20 per cent of the cost of roads, with the rest being paid by the general public (including cyclists).
More cyclists on the road, more bike lanes designated are more likely to contribute to safer roads and lower costs.
Rather than some drivers dreaming up every possible excuse to deter cycling, they should do their part for a better economy for all and ride a bike.
Norm Ryder
Victoria
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