A6 - North Shore News - Wednesday, April 24, 2013
VIEWPOINT Published by North Shore News a division of LMP Publication Limited Partnership, 100-126 East 15th Street, North Vancouver, B.C. V7L 2P9. Doug Foot, publisher. Canadian publications mail sales product agreement No. 40010186.
Greener pastures A
DRIAN Dix and his party have been running ahead of the B.C. Liberals in the opinion polls for so long, that much of his election strategy has been merely to avoid errors — and therefore to avoid controversy. So it was unusual to find him on Monday altering the “we’ll-studythat” response to awkward questions, a response that sounds like action, but commits to nothing. Nevertheless, when he released his party’s environmental policy in Kamloops, he not only reaffirmed the NDP’s opposition to the Enbridge Northern Gateway pipeline — or at least the agreement to abide by a federal environmental assessment — but appeared to side with those who oppose the twinning of the Kinder Morgan pipeline to Vancouver. Dix acknowledged that a formal
proposal has yet to be made by the company, but said, “Radically transforming the Port of Vancouver into a major oilsands export facility is not a good idea. It’s too much of a risk to our environment and our economy.” Dix’s phrasing about risk to the environment was likely calculated to stop some of the vote bleed to the Green Party, that is running an aggressive campaign on Vancouver Island. While much has been made of his words, there is no real commitment to action other than the “made-in-B.C” environmental assessment. It is now the B.C. Liberals who can occupy the territory previously staked out by the NDP: that this is a process that cannot be judged until the application is received. Sometimes it’s difficult to spot the differences between the parties.
Mailbox
Dog saves man from careless driver Dear Editor: On Tuesday, April 9 my guide dog and I were nearly hit by a careless driver on the southeast corner of Lynn Valley Road and Mountain Highway. We were just starting to cross, with the right of way, when a pickup rounded the corner without slowing. Luckily my guide dog froze which is a signal to me to stop walking immediately. I wish I could say that this was a rare event. Unfortunately near misses are all too common for the visually impaired and blind. I am especially fortunate to have a guide dog who is on a constant vigil to keep me safe. Visually impaired and blind persons relying on canes are even more vulnerable. I am extremely frustrated and angry at the selfish attitude of drivers. Too many drivers are either
not paying attention or are so self-important that they show no regard for anyone else on the road. I wonder how many pedestrians need to be injured and killed before drivers start to understand they are operating lethal weapons. As such, they need to be fully attentive and always courteous to pedestrians and other drivers. Too many have never learned that driving is a privilege and not a right. Once again I am so grateful for having my guide dog. Otherwise I believe the outcome would have been much worse for me on April 9. I also want to thank the three good citizens who stopped to make sure that my guide dog and I were OK. Angus MacKinnon West Vancouver
Dogwalk creates non-compliance
NEWS photo Mike Wakefield
ANGUS MacKinnon and his guide dog, Hayden, who saved him from a careless driver.
CONTACT US
Dear Editor: I am responding to the April 12 “Mailbox” item concerning observance (or lack thereof) of dogwalking bylaws. We are responsible dog owners who diligently attempt to follow signage, pick up after our dog and so on. That said, the design of the Dundarave Seawalk dog walking area is so impractical as to virtually ensure non-observance. The “split” design prevents dog owners from keeping their dogs on leash or under control. It also makes it difficult if not impossible for owners to pick up after their
dogs — and from the condition of the dog lane it is apparent that few if any do. The design also puts dogs at risk of straying onto the railroad track, with no ability for the owner to intervene. If the city wishes to enhance the level of legal compliance, I’d urge them to take another look at the design of the walk, hopefully with an eye to putting dog walkers and their dogs on the same side of the fence. If separation is required, make that from the other users of the Seawalk instead of the dogs. Perry L. Edwards, North Vancouver
Speaking for the party or not Dear Editor: Regarding your April 19 story, Yamamoto Faces Tough Fight: party affiliations aside, reading the statements proved interesting. The Communist partystatementreadclearly.After a first reading of the article, it struck me that the “I’s” and the “we’s” deserved to be counted. Mr. Cariou used three “I’s.” Mr. Conroy used seven “I’s,” one “me” and four “we’s.” He was less clear in his statement. Ms. Yamamoto tied his “I” count. She used seven along with six “we’s.” There is much vagueness in her statement. Finally, Mr. Keating used three “I’s,” one “my” and two “we’s.” He lists past accomplishments with an air of pride. Imagine — one candidate missed an opportunity to present himself to North Shore News readers ! The Conservative candidate is either too busy or regards the opportunity as unimportant. He might have delegated the task to someone. Sheila Ward North Vancouver
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