Letters

An important piece of B.C. history will be flying south this autumn when the Philippine Mars water bomber, now retired from fighting forest fires, makes its final flight - to a Florida aviation museum. It's Florida's gain and Vancouver Island's loss.

With shock, I read that changes to the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act mean a number of projects here on Vancouver Island - and across Canada - will go ahead without federal assessment.

Prince Harry had a game of strip-billiards in a Las Vegas hotel room and we got a glimpse, if not of the royal jewels, then a very regal bottom.

Re: "Savoie exits federal politics," Aug. 24. Victoria MP Denise Savoie's pension after six years in Ottawa will be $33,180 per year. Mine, after 40-plus years in a trade union (yes, the ones that support her), is approximately $13,200.

What is the public interest in seeing the private parts of princes? That, as I see it, is the issue behind the latest escapade of Prince Harry, a 27-year-old who's taking rather a long time to grow up.

Thumbs Up - To Esquimalt Coun. Dave Hodgins for his battle in favour of the public's right to know.

Re: "Prevent deer damage with fencing, hedgerows," Aug. 23. Every day I recite a prayer: "Lord, please protect my farm from pestilence, drought, developers, and city folk offering advice.

Re: "One week in, mixed reaction to park changes," Aug. 12. Thanks to the parks department for starting us on the changes we need in our thinking and acting toward an increasingly more wholesome community.

Re: "ICBC told to slash costs, CEO resigns," Aug. 17. What the government has done leaves my brain swirling. The CEO of the Insurance Corp. of B.C. resigns but will remain on salary, and no doubt bonuses, until the end of November.

Re: "Tourist trap catches car thieves," Aug. 23. The bait-car program seems a good idea. However, we should recognize that it is a subsidy to car owners to offer enhanced protection at no cost.