PENINSULA NEWS REVIEW - Wednesday, December 10, 2014
www.peninsulanewsreview.com • A7
LETTERS Clark at the helm of an LNG-powered sleigh T
he fall session of B.C.’s provincial legislature closed in late November, with NDP Leader John Horgan condemning Premier Christy Clark’s abysmal attendance record of being present for only eight of 24 sittings. There’s always been something misty and twisty about Christy’s take on politics, and her response was in keeping with this; immediately firing back that she was attacked because of her gender and that she was busy elsewhere. We all remember in 2012 she said she tried to avoid being in Victoria as much as possible, because of “the sick culture and lack of real people there.” However, she made sure to attend the final day of the legislative session, coinciding with lighting up the Legislature’s Christmas decorations; there is no way
that she would miss such a photo-op, of course. Last year the B.C. Liberals returned to power mainly on the strength of Clark’s endless campaign promises about a rosy future that lay ahead, with the exportation of Liquified Natural Gas (LNG). All those promises of the Prosperity Fund that would result, and B.C. becoming debt-free meant everyone would benefit. Now foreign investors’ plans to build pipelines, plants and shipping terminals are rapidly evaporating and smelling like so much bad gas. Just maybe the Premier has been spending her absentee days in Northern B.C. at a franchise of Santa’s Workshop putting B.C. Liberal Party elves to work on loading up a huge LNGpowered sleigh. Imagine the political brownie
points for a Christmas Eve trip by Christy Claus to dole out gifts to B.C.’s many underprivileged children. Despite an election theme of “Families First,” B.C. has the highest child poverty rate in Canada. Yet the government persists in the clawback of child support from a single parent on temporary or disability assistance, equal to payments received from their child’s absent parent. This mean-spirited policy ensures that the child remains in poverty;. Come to think of it, when that LNG-powered sleigh makes its way through the starry Christmas Eve night, maybe that red-suited lady at the controls should really be addressed as Christy Claws. Bernie Smith Parksville
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Kitchen Scraps Diversion
Readers respond: Dates in history, council process Get the date right Important dates in history are important. 1. The Battle of Hastings 1066 2. Discovery of the Americas 1492 3. End of World War 1 November 11, 1918 4. Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbour December 7 1941 (in Japan, December 8, 1941). The article regarding war time Rangers unit has Pearl Harbour being bombed in 1942. My question: What price for accuracy? Bill Latimer Sidney Editor’s note: You’re right, Bill. It was the Ranger units that formed in 1942, following the bombing of Pearl Harbour.
Central Saanich needs a better process I wholeheartedly concur with the views of Elaine Hepburn as to the not-so-hidden agenda of the last Central Saanich council. I too attended the public hearing on Oct. 8 regarding the rezoning application for the development at 7878 East Saanich Rd. I spoke against the development as it was proposed. All of the numerous and legitmate concerns were politely acknowledged and then ignored as the rezoning was swiftly passed at the Oct. 20 counci meeting. Then -councillor Ryan Windsor let the charge in favor over the objections of councillors Alicia Cormier and Zeb King. It seemed to this observer that the previous council had a
majority making pre-determined decisions. The new council, with Ryan Windsor as mayor, has several members whose pro-development biases are apparent. It remains to be seen whether they constitute a majority. Windsor mouths the appropriate ‘inclusive” political language in his inaugaral speech. Just what does his call for “a comprehensive development policy” really mean? Development in the municipality is inevitable. What should not be inevitable is the imposition of the select views of a select group of citizens without due democratic process. The actions of the new council must be held up to a more rigorous public scrutiny. Richard Gain Central Saanich
Conrad De Palma Denturist
JAN
2015
One New Year’s resolution we’ll all be making. A full disposal ban on kitchen scraps at Hartland landfill takes effect January 1, 2015. The ban will divert compostable items like vegetables, meat, bones, grains, dairy products, fruit and soiled paper that currently take up thirty percent of the landfill. At the same time, diverted kitchen scraps will significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and will be processed into beneficial compost. So contact your waste hauler or municipality directly, plan for collection options and make a note on your calendar. Then we can all look forward to a happy, more sustainable New Year! For general information about the kitchen scrap diversion strategy visit www.crd.bc.ca/kitchenscraps
www.crd.bc.ca
Every cup counts! From November 16th until December 13th, $3 from the purchase of Creekmore’s Country Roaster Coffee will be donated to Royal LePage Shelter Foundation that directly supports women’s transition houses on the island. Proudly Sponsored by:
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