Mailbag
Maple Ridge & Pitt Meadows Times
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Justice
Witnesses deserve portection
Dear Editor, CrimeStoppers runs a commercial with a punch line saying: “You stay anonymous, criminals don’t.” So why cannot witnesses stay anonymous in court? The nonsense that the accused has the right to face their accuser was all right 50plus years ago, but now this gives them the “right” to harass or worse, with near total immunity. Our criminal ‘justice’ system screams out for some serious revision. Sixty-seven years ago, Igor Gouzenko worked as a code clerk at the Russian embassy in Ottawa, he defected and gave the western world a huge amount of valuable information. He testified behind a screen or wore a hood. It was of critical importance that his identity remain unknown, for it was believed the KGB would assassinate him. No doubt. Why is it that a witness does not have
the same rights and protection Igor had? Perhaps it is that we just don’t count. It is a mortal cinch that many will not go into court to testify against some of the vicious, not-so-poor white trash who will maybe take them out. And even if that does not happen, harassment can and likely will occur, and physical abuse is certainly not unknown. People are not too eager to put themselves or the well being of their families on the line in order to testify against some rotter. Our courts are woefully ineffectual for real punishment for serious crimes. Punishment all too often does not happen in any meaningful way. Many of us have little trust or respect for our so-called justice system. Giving a witness a new identity may sound like a good idea, but the fact is, it is not. One will not be able to have any contact with family and friends if relocated. Where’s the justice in this for the witness? Robert W. Stirling, Maple Ridge
Smart Meters
Installers considered trespassers
Dear Editor, Following is an open letter to Gary Murphy, chief project officer, Smart Metering Program: Dear sir, We are in receipt of your letter, dated Jan. 4, telling us that you will be coming soon to install a Smart Meter on our house. Please do not bother. We have signs posted and photos taken advising that anyone in our yard and touching our meter will be considered trespassing. We will not permit the installer entrance.
If BC Hydro truly believes that Smart Meters are the best way to deliver “safe, cost-effective” electricity, they would not have requested the government remove oversight of this program from the BCUC, and they would have presented documented, independent information to taxpayers, proving the meters are safe for use, instead of using intimidation tactics to require people to allow them. Our position is maintained on the basis of our concern
Pitt Meadows
Critical letters objectionable
Dear Editor, Why you print Archie Blankers’s letters is beyond me. While his opinions merit discussion, I find his comments pertaining to Mayor Deb Walters to be disrespectful and unnecessary. The Mayor is a community leader, and only a part of the team that manages Pitt Meadows for the benefit of all citizens. She casts the deciding vote in the event of a tie on council business, based on information provided by staff and the public. She is far from being the “Queen” dictator that Mr. Blankers would have you believe. She is a former “super volunteer” and Citizen of the Year. She is a role model who is approachable and giving of her time. Mr. Blankers’s attempts to portray her as a villain are despicable. Ken Ogden, Maple Ridge
that the installation of a wireless Smart Meter and consequential emission of microwave radiofrequency emissions at or about our home will cause harm to ourselves and our family. On May 31, 2011, the World Health Organization recognized that radiofrequency electromagnetic fields are a Class 2B possible human cancer risk. Wireless Smart Meter emissions fall under this classification of emissions and risk. After much research, we have decided that we are not comfortable with 24/7 exposure to EMFs in every aspect of our lives. Some places we can’t avoid it, but we certainly can in our own home. In our opinion, it was BC Hydro’s responsibility to discuss every aspect of this program before forcing it down our throats. After the Liberals are gone and the NDP become government in May, we are positive they will introduce an opt-out option for people who have concerns like we do. Because of that, we will not permit you to enter our yard at this time to change the meter. Lorne and Cheryl Baron, Maple Ridge
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Environment
Metro needs help to stop smoke
Dear Editor, It is the bleakest truth that wood smoke is harmful to human health [Smoke filling neighbourhood, Jan. 10 Letters, TIMES], especially the wood smoke emissions in neighbourhoods, as they can penetrate dwellings, even with windows closed, and place every occupant at risk. There is no way to escape wood smoke in a neighbourhood where wood-burning takes place; people have no choice but to breathe this poison. Many respiratory diseases are linked to wood smoke exposure. To participate in speeding up the elimination of harmful wood smoke emissions in your neighbourhood, call Metro Vancouver and voice your support. Metro’s
Environment & Parks Committee, as well as Fraser Health and Coastal Health need to be addressed. Metro has been for quite some time intending to rid neighbourhoods of wood smoke, but needs the support of the general public. Elimination of wood smoke emissions in neighbourhoods needs to also include fire pits and the use of wood chips and other wood derivatives, as used on/in barbecues and food smokers, as all of those burning devices produce toxic fumes that can be harmful to people’s health. Brie Oishi, Port Coquitlam For more letters to the editor visit... www.mrtimes.com – Click on Opinion.
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