OPINION
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Protest allergy evident Dear editor, Watching the news one night, I saw the native protest in Bella Bella, B.C. that prompted the Northern Gateway review panel to cancel the hearings there. I was shocked that the sight of native people holding protest signs made panel members so fearful. It seemed to me to be overt racism: The implication was that native people are inherently violent, because their behaviour certainly was not. In Comox, on Aug. 10, the panel retreated to a ‘panic room’ when a guard at the door signalled them after he tried to stop a man from entering. He was wearing a T-shirt with anti-pipeline slogans on it. I believe that is why the staff member attempted to stop him. The man was close to my age — around 60. Like the people in Bella Bella, he posed absolutely no threat. It struck me then that it wasn’t racism that prompted the cancellation of hearings in Bella Bella but rather a belief that protest is dangerous. When the panel members left the hearing, the majority of people in the room rose and sang O Canada. I stood and sang for the Canada that isn’t afraid of protest. Benito Mussolini, the father of fascism, said it should more appropriately be called corporatism because it is a merger of state and corporate power. That is why I stood and sang O Canada. Terry Robinson, Courtenay
COMOX VALLEY RECORD • Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Disgusted by MP’s actions Dear editor, I was catching up on my reading regarding the state of affairs in Attawapiskat. This is the First Nations community with Third World living conditions that was in the news this past winter. The federal government’s response to the situation was to appoint a third-party manager over the objections of the Attawapiskat. The Attawapiskat took the federal government to court. The judge ruled the federal government did not act appropriately and sided with the Attawapiskat. Now during all of
JOHN DUNCAN
this, the housing situation has not improved in Attawapiskat. People are still living in overcrowded homes without the amenities such as running water, etc. that we all enjoy. With the coming winter they will still be living in unsatisfactory conditions. The purpose of this
letter is to point out the problems on this reserve are being exacerbated by our MP John Duncan, the minister for Aboriginal Affairs. Acting Chief Christine Kataquapit has said, “An application to Canada’s national housing agency for help financing the construction of 30 homes in Attawapiskat was not approved because Duncan refused to sign off on an agreement between Attawapiskat and CMHC.” So the next time we read that the Attawapiskat are living in tents and shacks and overcrowded homes in the winter at 30 below, please remember it
Address curlers’ needs Dear editor, The building that is now the Courtenay Recreation Centre Lewis Centre was formerly the Comox Valley Agricultural Hall and where the memorial pool was built were the barns and sheds to display farm animals. The CRA was established about 1948 and the memorial pool was built a few years later. The agricultural society moved to their present location and continued with the Fall Fair but not hav-
ing a large covered building for display of produce, the fair struggled. In about 1957 the society decided to build an agricultural hall on their property and a mortgage was arranged with the local credit union in the amount of about $85,000. This sum would include an ice-making facility to provide curling in the off-season to help pay the mortgage. In 1959, the curling club was formed and like other curling clubs
Apology in order Dear editor, I was horrified to read Summer Joy’s letter in the Aug, 17 edition of the Record. Ms. Joy over the years has been a regular letter writer to the local papers, and her name has become synonymous with environmentalism and humanism. So I was very disappointed to read her letter stereotyping the Chinese with regard to the abundance of non-indigenous frogs in the Comox Valley. Ms. Joy probably meant to be ironic, humorous? But it smacked of underlying bigotry, and I think she should write an apology otherwise it could be construed as a hate letter. Tony Martin, Courtenay
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in the province, it was unprofitable. Nothing was paid on the mortgage in principal or interest. The only occupancy cost the curling club was able to pay was the annual property taxes. Eventually the credit union became impatient and made a demand for payment or they would foreclose. To check the loss of the building the curling club executive arranged for the regional board to take possession of the building. The point of this letter is that the icemaking facility is aged and wearing out. The most logical solution is to let the building revert to its original owners and developers and turn it into a farmers’ market. The needs of the curlers could be met with a well-insulated and purpose-built building adjacent to our existing ice rinks. Bruce McPhee, Comox Valley
was the MP we voted into office who did this. Please remember that when you vote next time. As a voter in this riding I am disgusted by John Duncan’s refusal to sign off on funding for 30 new homes in Attawapiskat. I am embarrassed that the MP of this riding has contributed to the misery of those living in shacks and tents. It is embarrassing to see the lack of action on this matter by John Duncan. The Harper government has had enough money to build schools, housing, etc. in Iraq and Afghanistan but can’t provide 30 homes for these Canadians. I suggest Mr. Duncan sign off on a new agreement ensuring 30 new homes are built in Attawapiskat. E.A. Foster, Comox
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e v a HYour SAY
E-mail: editor@comoxvalleyrecord.com; mail: 765 McPhee Ave., Courtenay, B.C. V9N 2Z7; fax: 338-5568 or drop it off at 765 McPhee Ave.
THIS IS TO the lady bike rider who a week ago was coming down the hill on Hawkins Road from Goose Spit to Torrence Road at 40 to 50 km/h and made no attempt to stop at the sign or even slow down. My wife and I would like to advise you that you have used up several of your nine lives. You are very lucky that I made a full stop and a slow takeoff as you roared past a few feet from the front of our car as we turned left from Torrence. If I had moved out a little faster you would have hit our car and been spread down the road 500 feet and very seriously injured or dead. Bike people are often asking for more lanes, more respect, etc. How about you respecting traffic signs! It may save your life! I hope you were shaken by your near miss; I know these two old people were. MANY BEAUTIFUL FLOWERS for Dr. M. Spring and her staff at
the CV medical “drop in” clinic. Your quick, correct diagnosis, treatment and follow-up has made my life so much easier. The entire efficient experience is a plus to our health care system. BIG BUNCH OF flowers to Roxannes in Comox. I purchased some clothing a few days ago, not knowing any difference in prices. A couple of days went by and I returned for different items. I was told they were glad I was there because they felt so bad about charging me 40 per cent more than the cost was. I would have never known anything different. What a nice surprise. It pays to shop local. A loyal customer. Cheers. THE CITY OF Courtenay watering a hardly used park at 4:30 a.m. on a Friday morning is not only disturbing one’s sleep. Isn’t it going against what all the residents are not doing during this very hot spell of weather we are having?
Join us Thursday, August 23 for the last Summer Concert of the season on the grounds of the Filberg Heritage Lodge and Park
Impossible Bird Im A duo d that will shake your bones. Nic Nick Drummond is former front man and songwrit writer for The Senate. Tyler Carson is an internation tionally known fiddler/violinist most recently from Jack Maple. Together that have teamed up c to combine their talents into a formidable pairing. Welcome to the new beginning. ing. “Ove my life long career, I have never seen such talent, poise “Over and charisma from such young people. These kids are going and p ace -Will Millar - The Irish Rovers pl places.” www.impossiblebird.com w ww
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