The Langley Langley Times Times •• Tuesday, Tuesday, November November 22, 22, 2011 2011 •• 7 7 The
letters The
The Times welcomes letters from its readers. Send submissions to #102-20258 Fraser Hwy. Langley, B.C. V3A 4E6 e-mail - newsroom@langleytimes.com
Langley Times
Congratulations, now get to work Editor: Congratulations, Township. As a long-time resident of the Township of Langley and an active participant in numerous community committees, I am both delighted and saddened by Saturday’s election. First, congratulations to all who ran a good race, and to our new mayorelect Jack Froese. He is a fine man and I have no doubt that he will take on his new position with calm dedication and integrity. However, I feel it is imperative to point out that Mel Kositsky has served this community for as long as I can remember, and his wisdom and knowledge will be sorely missed. I have served with him on one committee for the past four years and his advice and guidance have been invaluable. It is my sincere hope that he will continue to bring his knowledge to various volunteer committees and remain an ongoing source of community support. Pam Erikson, Langley
FORGET THE TRAFFIC CALMING PROMISE
Editor: First of all, I’d like to publicly congratulate all the councilors and the new mayor of Langley Township. Well done, and I look forward to common sense being returned to the chambers. Now, regarding the one question I noticed you all unanimously promised during your election campaigns: Traffic calming in school zones. Can I ask you to please reconsider and exercise your first dose of common sense on what was obviously a populist “mommy” promise? First of all, do some math. Schools are in session a maximum of 10 months. Deduct professional days, vacations, and statutory holidays, and you have about 200 days when school
is in session. Each school zone limited to 30 km/h is in effect nine hours a day, so approximately 1,800 hours. The real world is in session 12 months of the year, 24 hours a day. That’s 8,760 hours. Therefore, for the sake of 1,800 hours out of 8,760 hours (that’s just over 20 per cent of the time), roads around schools would be completely and unnecessarily hindered. During the remaining 80 per cent of the time, there are no children are present. Current traffic laws already more than adequately address the problem during school session. So please, forget this promise. It was populist and ill-advised, and it makes absolutely no common sense at all whatsoever. John Dueckman, Langley
Stray shotgun pellets prove dangerous on trail Editor: As I was riding my bike to school along a horse trail (the Campbell Valley Connector trail between 248 and 240 Streets), something out of the ordinary happened. There was a group of ladies standing at the trailhead and they warned me about a shooting and how one of the ladies had just been hit in the hand. Since I have been an extra in a movie numerous times, and the farm beside the trail is used for Smallville movie shoots, I thought she was referring to a movie shoot. I was wondering how anyone could be hit in the hand by a movie. I found out later (my mom talked to Constable Steiger, who was the attending officer) that the shooting which I thought was harmless wasn’t. The lady had been hit by a live shotgun shell from hunters shooting at Canada geese. The trail which has served me well, all my life, was now unsafe. Now, I feel nervous about riding the trail that kept me from having to ride on the busy 0 Avenue or 16 Avenue roads. In the 13 years that I have been I alive on this
earth, I have been taught many things, but one thing that will stay in my head forever is that you can trust the police. I have a cousin who is a policeman and throughout my life, the police have always been great to me and my family. That is why I was so surprised when, after contacting the police and asking them why the hunters were shooting Canada geese beside a public trail, Constable Steiger said that there is no law protecting us when we are on the trail. She said that I could get hit by hunters shooting at geese anytime I am on the trail. She also said that it shouldn’t hurt too much if I get hit. My mouth was left hanging open when she said, “If you don’t want to get hit, don’t be on the trail.” I am very disappointed in this situation. If you can’t trust the police, who can you trust? Now I can’t say that every memory of the police is a good one. I hope something can be done about this. Giancarlo Bussani, age 13, Aldergrove
Editor: Thank you to columnist Anne Patterson for her column (The Times, Nov. 17) about the shotgun pellet shooting along the 8 Avenue and 248 Street horse trail. We (two parents and four children) have lived close to the trail for 17 years and use it almost daily. My son was commuting to school minutes after the shooting, and was very disappointed in the police response. (see above letter). I appreciate your concern, as many horses use that particular trail. Often my children are on the trail while a horse is also being ridden on the trail. What if the horse got hit and spooked? It’s a very dangerous situation. I did call the Horse Council of B.C., explaining what had occurred and was disappointed by the lack of concern. I was told the lady in charge would call me back, but she never did. Thank you for your concern and your wellwritten editorial. Lori Bussani, Aldergrove
Snoopy neighbours can make life difficult Editor: I had concerns with the past council and councillors, who did their level best not to work with Rick Green because the former mayor did not get re-elected. Council also raised taxes when those who suffered most were trying to survive the recession. But one of the worst things it did was put a bylaw into effect that lets neighbours complain
about another neighbour’s RV. The bylaw officers are like relentless watchdogs, patrolling Bartlett St. in Fort Langley about three times a week. If you’re going to pass a law, pass it for everyone; putting that power into the hands of some people who don’t have a life is ludicrous. Also, why hasn’t this council stood up to Trans-
Link? Why do we on the south side of the Fraser have to pay, through tolls, for the bulk of the Port Mann addition when it is crucial to the economy of Vancouver? Everyone in the Lower Mainland should pay and they should keep the tolls on both bridges to $1.50 per trip, maximum. John Ritchie, Fort Langley
Thanks to the RCMP Editor: Our family suffered a huge loss on Saturday, Nov. 12, when our son, Dylan James Reichelt died in a tragic car accident. In our time of shock and grief the RCMP officers who dealt with our family, both at the scene and in our home, were incredible. They were sensitive, kind, helpful and showed extreme compassion in our difficult time. We would like to personally thank Constable Tumbas, Constable Toor, Corporal Adriannase, Corporal Adams, Francene Melger (victim services), Constable Galasso, Constable Olson, Constable Johnston and Constable Cacea. We would also like to thank the officers and emergency services who were on scene that night. We are very grateful to have these amazing people serving our community. Bill, Cathy, Keri, Keira and Jesse Reichelt, Langley
Give MP feedback Editor: I urge your readers to send e-mails to Mark Warawa and Stephen Harper, requesting the Conservatives stop their bullying tactics. The omnibus crime bill is being pushed through Parliament, despite years of studies proving it is not the way to go. The Harper Conservatives are ignoring advice from the Canadian Bar Association, and even the experience in Texas. It is too costly and too mean-spirited for this citizen. Myrna Pfeifer, Fort Langley
Heartfelt thank you to the many people who helped save my son’s life
Editor: To the Langley Hospital medical staff, 911 responders and strangers, I thank you for what you may say was doing your job. You gave me back my heart. Thursday, Nov. 10 will be a day that I will never forget. My 19-year-old son, who has never even had stitches, lay on the brink of leaving me forever. After a 40-minute sei-
zure, he was placed on a ventilator. It was a mother’s worst nightmare. This letter is to thank the people who ensured my son is alive today. We read stories on the horrors of our medical system, but on that day all I saw was the goodness of people working harder than anyone I’ve ever seen to save a stranger’s life, without a
second thought. Thank you for your support, your diligence and patience — to the paramedics and firemen who responded; to the staff at McDonalds for their quick thinking; to the doctor who came behind the counter to help; to the ER staff at Langley Memorial Hospital for your quick work; to Dr. McDer-
Corrective Procedures
for Children
in a caring environment. langleyorthodontics.com The Jeske Corporate Centre Suite 201 - 19978 72nd Avenue
604-533-6696
mid of CCU and the nurses Amanda, Hanny and Flora for your patience and understanding; to the social worker who held my hand and told me it was going to be OK. I’ve realized now how precious life is. No words can describe how grateful I am. Caren Stadnik, Langley
NOW ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS.
FREE
Consultation. WITH THIS AD | EXPIRY DECEMBER 31/11