Grand Forks Gazette Wednesday, May 23, 2012
www.grandforksgazette.ca A5
LETTERS ❚ HISTORY
Wealth of knowledge at museum Editor: Two weekends ago, I had the opportunity to attend the Okanagan Regional Heritage Fair with my 12-year-old daughter and her friend. Heritage fairs are a wonderful opportunity for students to learn more about Canadian history, to develop research skills and to foster an appreciation for the past. Both girls chose local history topics (Fructova School and the History of Phoenix). Participating in the fair was a valuable experience for the girls, but even more so because of the help they received from Sue Adrian of the Boundary Museum and Archives. Few people may realize what a treasure trove of local history can be found in the Grand Forks archives. Ms. Adrian went out of her way to make the archives available to my daughter. It was very exciting for her to piece together her great-great grandmother’s life in Phoenix through documents found in the archives. Through cemetery records, she even found out about an unknown great-aunt buried as a baby in the Phoenix cemetery. In addition, after touring the Boundary Museum the girls were able to borrow historical artifacts to use in the heritage fair. We are very fortunate to have these facilities in our community and should not take them for granted. I sincerely hope city council will recognize the value of preserving our local history when considering funding for these institutions next year. Kristen Merry, Grand Forks
❚ BYLAWS
Public servants should back off Grand Forks city council and editor: We hire public servants to serve our needs. We do not hire public servants to stifle us. We the public wish to maintain our rights to have campfires within our yards, at our own discretion, as long as we have a hose handy. If we are capable of managing our home, we do not need
tyrants telling us when not to have an enjoyable campfire with our friends and family. It is ridiculous to allow servants to direct our affairs and restrict our freedom. Back off and let us enjoy our lives. Thank you very much. Nadine Heiberg Grand Forks
❚ ENVIRONMENT
Not going green Editor: This week the Conservative government voted in favour of a 400-page budget bill that amends over 70 different acts and devotes an astonishing 150 pages to weakening laws to protect our environment. The Conservatives claim that this “streamlining” of environmental legislation is so important that it has to be passed right away. So why didn’t we hear about it until now? Why didn’t they campaign on it in the last election? And why are the Conservatives ramming all these changes through Parliament and refusing to break up the mammoth bill so that all its parts can be properly studied? The Conservatives are trying to avoid public scrutiny by cramming major environmental changes into a sweeping “kitchen sink” bill. They want to eliminate federal environmental assessments for all but a few projects and do less comprehensive reviews where they still occur. They want to eliminate protection for fish habitat, despite the fact that you don’t have fish without a habitat! All of this comes on top of announcements of 900 positions to be cut at Environment Canada. The Conservatives didn’t campaign on gutting environmental regulations, yet they are trying to pass them under the radar. They need to come clean to Canadians about their hidden agenda of environmental destruction. Yours sincerely, Kirsty Duncan, MP Liberal Environment Critic
❚ ELECTION 2013
Provincial election trends Editor: In 2011, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, and the Yukon Territory all had general provincial elections. So did Alberta in 2012. One year in advance to voting day in Alberta, Manitoba, and Ontario, polling showed
❚ COLUMN that all three incumbent governments were going down to defeat on election day and the official opposition parties were to form government. That did not happen and the end result was that taxpayers elected back the incumbent governments and the opposition parties remained just that. The premiers of Newfoundland and Labrador and Alberta retired and were replaced by new female premiers, that were elected by their party members only (not by the voting taxpayers) midterm, maintaining government until election day. The same theme is currently happening in B.C. The present government is the B.C. Liberals and the opposition, the NDP. Comments are that Liberals are supported by business and the NDP by unions. Business does give taxpayers pay cheques whereas unions do not. People will cast their votes next May. Two main items that voters will have to consider are: 1. Why did Alberta, Manitoba, and Ontario return incumbent governments when polling said otherwise and, 2. Would I ever take back a former spouse to once again bring back the nightmare and am I willing to do it with government. I think if the NDP did form government, some of those pay cheques would cease. Business does not have to invest in NDP territory. An NDP government equals layoff slips. The reality is, all governments are the same except that some are better than others. Regardless of criticisms, business vs. unions, propaganda, etc., the No. 1 item on voting day is what party is going to be best in managing tax payer dollars. Are taxpayer jobs the most important, or are lay off slips? Is it better to pump tax dollars into all government ministries and raise income tax accordingly, or is it better to control government spending in relation to what is coming from the taxpayers? “You can’t have your cake and eat it too.” Joe Sawchuk, Duncan, B.C. *** Do you have an opinion? The Grand Forks Gazette welcomes letters to the editor. All letters should be a maximum of 350 words and are subject to editing. Emailed letters are preferred. The name, address and telephone number of the writer must be included. Phone numbers and exact addresses won’t be published, but names will only be withheld at the editor’s discretion. Copyright in letters and other materials submitted to the publisher and accepted for publication remains with the author, but the publisher and its licencees may freely reproduce them in print, electronic or other forms. Views expressed may not reflect those of the Grand Forks Gazette.
How to control weeds and non-native species The Grand Forks valley is quickly greening after a long winter but not all the green is necessarily good. Aggressive, non-native species of weeds lurk throughout the valley IRENE causing endless problems. ImPEREPOLKIN pacts such as the destruction of habitat for wildlife and birds, soil erosion and reduction of crop production are a few of the impacts caused by these invasive plants. Hoary alyssum runs rampant through our whole valley, along with many other species of plants, and more are being identified each year. When planning your hanging basket, flower bed or garden, select plants wisely. Non-invasive exotics should be selected. Deadhead continuously through the growing season, properly dispose of yard and garden waste. Use wildflower mixes with caution as many containers are not properly labelled and may contain invasive species. Garden ponds can also be a risk of infestation. Yellow flag iris and purple loosestrife are already causing problems in the lakes in the area. Invasive plants spread quickly. They stick to the tires of vehicles and bicycles while people drive the highways and byways of the valley. A pattern of this has been recorded by the Boundary Weed Program. Seeds can get caught in clothing, ATVs, farm equipment, wind, water, animals, bringing in hay from other areas to name a few. Seeds that are not properly cleaned can be another source. There are many things that can help reduce the spread of plants. Check clothing, equipment and pets when near a site of infestation. Remove the seeds and properly dispose of them. Avoid driving in an infested area, as seeds have been known to be spread for up to 11 km. Obtain topsoil, manure and gravel from clean sources. Check hay and straw before purchase. Biological suppression, which are natural predators that feed on a particular invasive plant, have been successful in the control of Hounds tongue, Dalmation toadflax, Diffuse knapweed to name a few. Work is being done to find something that will work on hoary alyssum. You can request release of insects for your property by contacting the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary (RDKB) at 1-800-355-7352. A more aggressive method of control is herbicides, which need to be used carefully. The ideal time to apply the spray is when the plant is green and actively growing and the flower is just ready to come into full bloom. Once they are dry and stressed from drought, the application will not be as successful. The site should ideally be seeded with a crop or lawn after treatment. It may take up to three years of treatment to completely rid an area of the Hoary alyssum. The RDKB has an assistance program to assist homeowners with invasive plants. The landfill will accept, free of charge, double-bagged plants after you pull them. The spray equipment loan program has equipment for loan. Backpacks, three-point hitch sprayers and skid mounts for ATVs are available. A New Invaders Program will treat up to two hectares of herbicide control for priority species plant without charge to the landowner. Also, a cost share program in RDKB Areas D and E will cover 50 per cent of the cost of herbicide treatment by a contractor for up to two hectares for a more widespread invasive plant species. For more information on these programs contact RDKB 1-800355-7352. I have been tossing about the idea of reinstating the former local weed committee in RDKB Area D. This group could work on the various methods of controlling weeds, education, and management. The inclusion of predator birds, such as starlings could also be considered. If you think you would be interested in being part of this group contact me at 250-442-3817. – Irene Perepolkin is Area D director for the RDKB.
❚ In the Spotlight