THE TIMES TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2013 ❘
LETTERS
❘ A9
Light bulb goes off with fixture purchase Editor, the Times:
Most recently my husband purchased a small light fixture at Walmart, the cost of which was $10.89. Not a bad price, but wait a moment – add the environmental fee of $0.85, the Hydro fee of $3.96 and top all that off with the HST of $1.89. I can’t believe that Hydro especially can get away with a fee like that on an $11 item. It nearly gave me a stroke. Now that light fixture cost $17.68. The Hydro cost being over 30 per cent of the cost of the seemingly inexpensive item is taking food from the mouths of the poor. I would consider a light fixture a necessity, wouldn’t you? Would the politicians please add that extra $6 to my pension cheque next month? It would be put to better use. Aina Baron Abbotsford
Give a hand against moral degradation Editor, the Times:
Kent Roberts does not want to live in a ‘theocracy.’ Neither do I. Kent wants to thank council for striking down this ridiculous ‘facilities use bylaw.’ Kent should reserve his thanks for another day. Mayor Banman and John Smith were offended by a motion that merely proposed a discussion with
staff, sometime down the road, some sort of minimal guideline to assist them, as to what sorts of events would be suitable for publicly-owned facilities. In fact there are existing minimal decency clauses within the AESC contract already. But council has a pattern of having bylaws/guidelines that are applied – or not – with no apparent rationale. So just to make this clear, the mere possibility of a discussion about guidelines is what was struck down. While declaring they wish to exercise zero control over events in buildings directly under their authority, the very next thing on council agenda was a ban on the sale of shark fin soup, in private eateries, something over which council has no real jurisdiction. Protect the sharks, allow city buildings to be used for sexually exploitive events. Throw the women to the sharks. Mr. Roberts places a high premium on freedom. So do I. Therefore I expect to hear Mr. Roberts applaud my freedom to speak against morally degrading events in our pubic buildings. Gerda Peachey Abbotsford
TO INCLUDE YOUR LETTER, use our online form at www.abbotsfordtimes.com, contact us by e-mail at letters@abbotsfordtimes.com, fax to 604-854-1140 or phone 604-854-5244. Letters must include first and last names, hometown, and should be fewer than 200 words. Give in the waning days of Heart Month Editor, the Times:
There are 7,000 people throughout the province who have an inherited risk of fainting or dying suddenly from an abnormal heart rhythm (arrhythmia) – often this is only discovered through an event like fainting. However, research indicates that this is just the tip of the iceberg – for every person identified with inherited arrhythmia, four or more family members may unknowingly be at risk. The condition can be managed with simple medical intervention, but when left unmonitored, it puts lives in danger. As the recently appointed Sauder Family and Heart and Stroke Foundation chair in cardiology, we are assembling a team of experts to build a network of clinics to discover those British Columbians at risk, and provide them with protection. Despite all of our advances in prevention and treatment of heart disease, several thousand people in British Columbia die suddenly every year.
HAVE YOUR SAY WITH LAYAR ■ We want to hear your comments. Use Layar on your smartphone and scan this page to e-mail the editor.
Grand Canal Cruise Florida toVancouver!
2499
$
CDN, per person 2 sharing Total-charges price!
✔ ✔ ✔
22 nights - Holland America’s Zuiderdam: Full Panama Canal transit, Sail into Vancouver!
One-way Vancouver to Fort Lauderdale Airfare! One-night Hyatt hotel with breakfast and transfers! Enjoy full-day stops in: Curacao, Aruba, Cartegena, full Depart April 18, return to Vancouver May 11 daylight transit of Panama Canal, Puerto Calderda (Costa Rica), Corinto (Nicaragua), Puerto Chiapas (Mexico), This SALE price includes airfare & all taxes! “Mariners” (Holland America past passengers) Huatulco, Puerto Vallarta, San Diego, & Victoria! may save more! Ask us! ✔ Sail home to Vancouver As always, we include all required hotel, transfers and taxes! Book by March 2, 2pm!
Flight, transfers, taxes & fees included - a total-charges price! BOOK NOW! Go to our website & join our “specials” mailing list for a chance to win an Azamara cruise for 2!
1-800-608-7245
Receive our cruise deals directly to your inbox:
8850 Walnut Grove Dr., Langley (North of Hwy 1 at 210 Street)
20-year member of the BBB — A+ rating!
www. cruiseencounters .com
I feel this is a key challenge for my team to identify why this happens, who is at risk and how to pre-
vent these tragedies. I am proud to be able to pursue this work, thanks in part to the generous Heart and Stroke Foundation donors. This February is Heart Month. When a Heart and Stroke Foundation canvasser arrives at your door, please give generously. Your support enables me
and my fellow researchers, to continue vital work that will save lives here in B.C. Show your support for healthy lives, free of heart disease and stroke at heartandstroke.ca. Together, we can make health last. Dr. Andrew Krahn Heart and Stroke
COME SEE
ABBOTSFORD’S OWN MIKE SIMPSON
and his Lethbridge Hurricanes take on the Vancouver Giants this Friday!
FRI. MAR 1 – 7:30PM Gordie Howe’s 85th Birthday Celebration with Bobby Hull, Marcel Dionne, Johnny Bower & more!
VS
LETHBRIDGE
HURRICANES
PACIFIC COLISEUM Call 604-4-GIANTS (604-444-2687 ) ! VancouverGiants.com
Are you having difficulty hearing? Backed by 26 years industry experience we can help you – as we already helped many others.
Don’t struggle with your inability to hear any longer – call for a free hearing test and consultation. We have a large selection of newest hearing aid makes and models to fit any ear and any budget.
899
$ Prices start from and include free service for life.
Jerry
Owner and Operator MA, BC-HIS, RHIP
For appointment call 604.855.3702
Hearing Care Centre Unit 101-33774 Marshall Rd., Abbotsford Registered in College of Speech and Hearing Health Professionals of BC
Better grades start here. 604.853.8688 ABBOTSFORD | SylvanLearning.ca ,'-)!2$ 0 &,!*!2$ 0 3-*# 0 *'+* .,'. 0 +*()% +5!44+ 0 #/3'&/,5 1 3/,'"