Restrictions on bus lanes are puzzling
Re: “Motorists in bus lanes face $109 fine,” Nov. 1.
Why do these lanes have signs with the high-occupancy-vehicle lane emblem, but do not include taxis, motorcycles and vehicles with more than one person in them, as any other city would?
Pray tell, why is the restriction 24/7? What is the logic or rationale behind that kind of thinking?
Jack Sages
Victoria
Rental bikes are cluttering the city
Did I misunderstand or was it only pre-election or company babble? I was certain I read that the ubiquitous green rental bikes that litter and obstruct our sidewalks, public spaces, no-commerce parks and no-cycling footpaths were in future to be left and rented only at designated spots. When is that uncluttered future returning?
John Fry
Victoria
Rescue dogs pose danger to Canadians
Re: “Adopted rescue dog attacks three people in Colwood home,” Nov. 4.
I was attacked a year ago by a pit bull that had been rescued from a Californian animal shelter. I was walking in a public park. The pit bull was on the end of a long leash. It attacked from behind, silently and swiftly, after I had passed it on a path. The dog crushed my wrist in its powerful jaws. I needed stitches and continue to have nerve damage.
Animal control investigated and, because it was an unprovoked attack in a public park, the pit bull was declared a dangerous dog. It has to wear a muzzle when it is off its property. The owner asked if her dog would still have to wear a muzzle if she moved outside Nanaimo. No apology to me. No concern for the safety of others.
If this dog moves near you, you are at risk.
Why is our government allowing pit bulls with unknown histories to be brought into Canada?
Isn’t the safety of Canadians more important than an aggressive dog?
Wanda Erikson
Nanaimo
Christmas decorations are not disrespectful
Re: “Don’t decorate until after Nov. 11,” letter, Oct. 28.
The letter complained about how stores and individuals are demeaning veterans by displaying Christmas decorations before Nov. 11, a topic also making the rounds of social media.
Please do not confuse a love of Christmas decorating with a lack of respect for veterans. We normally start decorating in October so that by Dec. 1, our house, or now condo, will turn into a winter wonderland. And guess what? My husband is a veteran with 36 years of service and I am a former member of the army reserves.
We proudly wear a poppy, we proudly attend Remembrance Day ceremonies each year and we have proudly visited every Canadian memorial in France and Belgium. Do not insult us by saying we do not honour the veterans of our country by choosing to decorate before Nov. 11.
These are two separate topics, and if one does not like the idea of stores or individuals decorating early, that is fine, but do not tell us or a merchant that we are being disrespectful to veterans because we choose to do so.
Shirley Tousignant
Victoria
Seniors’ pensions not mentioned in plan
I read the list of groups that will be helped by the new anti-poverty program. Not a surprise to me was that there was no mention of seniors’ pensions.
I’ve been living on at least $4,000 less per year than the old poverty numbers. I am happy for the people who are receiving the help; don’t get me wrong. I just don’t understand why seniors are always left out.
I get the feeling that we can’t go fast enough, and while we wait for the inevitable, they can wait us out.
We thankfully have food banks to rely on. I worked very hard all my life and now can’t figure out what value it had.
Carol Dunsmuir
Victoria
Law on mansions is good news
Re: “Bill would cut size of mansions on farmland,” Nov. 6.
Hurrah! And not a moment too soon.
Jonathan Stoppi
Saanich
Men delivering babies is not surprising
Re: “Male midwife turns heads,” Nov. 6.
The article seems to express surprise that a man might deliver babies for a career. Male doctors have been delivering babies for a long time. Nobody seems to find that surprising.
Ann Kumar
Victoria
Take the oath, then live the words
Re: “Actions speak louder than oaths to the Queen,” column, Nov. 3.
We hear so much these days about political correctness and offending non-believers, whether the subject is an oath, a prayer, a statue or whatever.
Nevertheless, as Jack Knox asks, what is more important, symbolism or actions that solve real problems?
As a frustrated Jerry Seinfeld once said to the clerk at the rental-car company, upon finding they had lost his reservation: “You know how to take the reservation, you just don’t know how to hold the reservation.”
Let’s think about that the next time we take an oath, and live the words.
David Mansell
Courtenay
