OPINION
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Forcing us not democratic Dear editor, I find it hard to believe that anyone who is or has been involved with any level of government would make the statement that we “should be forced to merge.” That is a ludicrous statement in that the Province does not have the Legislative power to force amalgamation. When this issue was front and centre in 1998/99, I had the opportunity to ask then-Minister of Municipal Affairs James Doyle if his ministry would force amalgamation. The answer as I recall was “not only would they not but they could not,” as legislation demanded that if a community’s tax base was impacted by a circumstance then the community had the right, either
by referendum or counter petition, to have their franchise exercised. We, as taxpayers, have the right to determine our own destiny and that is democracy. Governments forcing us to do things that might not be in our best interests is dictatorial and draconian. Anyone who is on a limited, fixed income should think long and hard before they
decide that they are in favour of amalgamation. It has been stated that there are four Administrators. Well, mark my word, not one of them will be fired. If anything there will be an executive director hired to oversee the existing ones. This will happen at all levels of the bureaucracy. To say nothing of the policing costs, full-time paid fire department and new facilities to house them. It has been said that if we had one council it would be more co-operative and function better. Take a look at Toronto; they don’t seem to be getting along too well. The key to better local governance is for more people to get involved. Go to council meetings, ask ques-
tions, and keep their noses to the grindstone. When we sit back and allow council to act of their own accord and only participate at election time, then we get what we deserve. Amalgamation will only be democratic if they first hold a plebiscite to see if the community is even interested in reviewing the situation. Only then should a study be commissioned and, with full knowledge to go by, hold a referendum. That way the electorate have been involved at all levels, and no one is” forced” to accept anything that they don’t want. D.W. (Don) Davis, Comox Editor’s note: Don Davis is a former elected member of Comox council.
to the area’s patients. The change to the oncologist’s schedule at the Nanaimo location was not made lightly, and we understand it has caused stress for some of her patients. While Dr. Most is now in the Nanaimo clinic one day a week, and in Victoria four days a week, patients continue to receive excellent cancer treatment. As with all oncolo-
gists, she continues to formulate her patients’ cancer management plan, which is then carried out by a GP in oncology. We use this care delivery model across the province. She can still provide consultations to her current patients throughout the week via phone or video link when required, a common practice across the province as we cover a large geo-
graphic area. Part of the reason for the change is that it became apparent Dr. Most was in the position in Nanaimo of carrying out her duties more as a generalist in all cancers. Today, oncologists throughout the BC Cancer Agency specialize in a few specific cancer types. This transition allows Dr. Most to specialize and better collaborate with other oncologists at the BC Cancer Agency Vancouver Island Centre in Victoria, which benefits all patients. This also facilitates patients from the Nanaimo area to see oncologists who specialize in their specific type of cancer. Dr. Marianne Taylor Editor’s note: Dr. Marianne Taylor is the interim VP, systemic therapy, of the BC Cancer Agency.
DON DAVIS
Cancer treatment still excellent Dear editor, Re: Letter from Donna Newall about Nanaimo oncologist transferred to Victoria most of the week (Record, Nov. 23). As the interim vicepresident of Systemic Therapy for the BC Cancer Agency, I want to assure Ms. Newall and all patients attending the clinic in Nanaimo that we are committed to continued high-quality care
Christmas carols or else Dear editor, The time has come to see how serious people are about their merry Christmas and noel complaints. A very simple start to a solution is as follows: If a store does not display merry Christmas, do not shop there.
No Christmas carols; don’t go. If people do not say “Merry Christmas,” take them off your greetings list. We are a nation who has had the Christmas spirit since the tradition started. No one — repeat — no one has the right
to take it away from us. If the government does not have the resolve to rectify the solution, let us do it for them. Where are the good old values that Canada was built on? G. Parsons, Comox Valley
COMOX VALLEY RECORD • Thursday, December 5, 2013
A25
Choice of taxis?
Dear editor, We are finally able to choose — I hope! For as long as I can remember, there has been only one option out there when you need a ride. Comox Taxi has been the only choice for far too long. Another company has applied to provide taxi service as well as wheelchair transportation service in the Valley. Ambassador Shuttle Service has applied for this service in addition to the work that they already do. I, for one, wholeheartedly hope that they are successful in their application. The Valley needs choice out there for us consumers! It’s time for change. Let’s shake things up and support a second option out there, G. Moore, folks. Comox Valley
Poor in Canada
Dear editor, It is heartwarming to see folks donating to the typhoon disaster in the Philippines, and raising funds for medical supplies in Syrian refugee camps. Blessings on these kind and compassionate people. In the meantime, in Attawapiskat, Ont., people are living in Third World conditions in substandard housing, and suffering through power outages and fires that prompted recent issuing of a state of emergency and evacuations. Just sayin’. J. Gould, Courtenay
Opinions? letters@
New fund creation provides stability for the future
Finding the money for administration purposes is often a challenge for philanthropic organizations such as your Comox Valley Community Foundation (CVCF). Relying on special events to help raise these funds does not always ensure that the necessary funds will be available on an annual basis. Ideally if there was a dedicated fund in place whose purpose was to provide a secure source of income, it would go a long way in helping to ensure the administrative side of the organization does not have to rely on these events or utilize funds that could be better used to support local organizations. Realizing the importance of establishing such a fund, Marianne Muir, who has lived in the Valley since 1974 recently provided just over $20,000 in seed funding to establish the CVCF Sustainability Fund. Having worked with a number of community organizations over the years, including the North Island College Foundation, Marianne said that as an organization grows it becomes increasingly difficult for volunteers to be able to manage the daily administrative activities. “I also believe,” said Marianne, “that in order to be able to attract volunteers and allow board members to be able to focus on the aims of the Foundation, it is essential that the organization should feel secure in knowing that the business side of things will be taken care of in a professional manner. I hope that by establishing this fund, others will see the value of providing the CVCF with this much needed stability and will be able to add to it.” This is not the first time Marianne has seen the value of donating to the CVCF. In 199, she established the George & Marianne Muir Fund to assist the community in making park and land stewardship improvements. Currently the Comox Valley Community Foundation holds and administers over 70 individual charitable and pooled funds. Since 1998 the Foundation has disbursed over $1.2 million in grants to support local charitable organizations. To find out more about the Comox Valley Community Foundation, the various funds and how you can help or add to Marianne’s donation, visit the Foundation’s website at
www.cvcfoundation.org
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