letters
Wednesday, July 21, 2010 Peace Arch News
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Peace Arch News
Explanation disparaging Editor: Re: Staff vacations delay surgeries: Falcon, July 14. Health Minister Kevin Falcon’s remarks regarding Fraser Health operating-room closures as a function of vacation planning among facilities in the region is misleading at best. Is he really suggesting physicians and nurses across the region all spontaneously and simultaneously decided to have longer than usual vacations this particular year? If you speak to any hospital administrator, surgeon or OR nurse, they will tell you the cuts were imposed by Fraser Health due to
from the province. inadequate funding from the provincial government. If the government is truly short on finances, why does Falcon was correct in saying, “We can’t force a new $500-million BC Place people to work.” What stadium roof hold priority he did not say is people over people’s health? Will are forced not to work. residents be so entertained by their new roof that they’ll Some nurses have lost jobs or work reduced hours forget how long they’ve due to cutbacks. Falcon’s been waiting for their kneeKevin Falcon remarks obfuscate the replacement surgery, cancer health minister surgery, cataract surgery, etc? cause of OR closures and Dr. Mark Chiu, Langley are disparaging to our hardworking nurses and physicians. Patients and surgeons alike are growing more frustrated with long surgical wait times. Patients call daily asking when their surgery will be scheduled. Visits in my office include answering questions about why the wait time is so long. An open letter to Health Minister Fraser Health – the largest health Kevin Falcon. authority – has been cutting surgical I just read the report in the Peace funding due to inadequate funding Arch News where you were quoted
Vacations must be managed
as saying “every facility gets to make their decision on how they manage their vacation time.” This is fine in principle, but I wonder who makes the decisions in this very necessary public facility that result in no operating rooms being open in August. Do the staff decide? Or does management decide that everyone can go on holiday in August? We had the same problem when we ran our business. Summer holidays were always difficult to fit everybody in the way they wanted. Regardless, we insisted on our employees staggering their holidays so that our customers’ needs were looked after. It seems to me the management team of Peace Arch or any other hospital in the region has this responsibility as well. J. Oliver, White Rock
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We hope the education that needs to be done happens before dogs and owners lose everything we have gained.a Sandy VanDeKinder
A matter of respect Editor: Re: First Nation cultural event marred by dog owners, July 14. It is extremely unfortunate to hear about the experiences the participants of the Salish Sea Journey had with certain dog owners during the closing of Semiahmoo Park July 7-9. I am a dog owner who lives across the street from the park, and we use it a minimum of twice a day. There is a group of about 10 of us who gather there with our dogs on a regular basis. We are responsible owners who always clean up after our pooches, and encourage others to do the same when we catch them trying to pretend they don’t see their dog relieving itself. I, too, have been verbally abused by owners who think the park is their dog’s backyard. It is troubling to read we might lose the use of this great area because of irresponsible dog owners. We are appreciative of the courtesy extended to us by the Semiahmoo band in letting us use this area as a gathering place. I can guarantee that we have every respect for that privilege, even if others do not. It is just as offending to the regulars who enjoy the park to watch people passing through on their way to the beach, letting their dogs defecate without picking up after them. During the first day of the event, one of our group did help with the cleanup of dog feces. She has also offered our services for future events that might be held on the park. I invite Semiahmoo First Nation councillor Joanne Charles to contact me directly, and I will supply her with a list of those of us who would be happy to help with cleanups when necessary. We all live in the area, enjoy the park with our dogs, and attend events held there. We would hate to lose our privileges because of the negligence of some knuckleheaded dog owners. The speculation that they don’t know it is not public land is neither here nor there. These people don’t clean up after their dogs regardless of where they take them, because, the fact is, they don’t want to clean their own yards of dog piles. Sharon Hollas, White Rock
History lesson I don’t have a dog, but I see lots of people who use the park and some do pick up after their pets. There are also bags tied to corner of bushes for those who don’t bring one. As for the couple with potty mouths, you folks have to realize this park is not public. You should apologize for your ignorant comment. Semiahmoo First Nation allows us to use it and
File photo
One dog owner disposes of waste at Semiahmoo Park, while another made it as far as a nearby fence. not be disrespectful to it. Even when the thenMunicipality of Surrey had it as a park, it was and still is owned by First Nations. So to you, sir, this is not a public park but a Semiahmoo Nation park – only they allow us to use their beautiful land by the sea for all to enjoy. I have been here since 1942. My childhood friends and I enjoyed many years of good times in this park, as many others still do. If Semiahmoo First Nation decides to fence it off, then your days and ours of enjoying this green space will be over. Since I am Metis, I should probably be helping put up the fence. Regards to the Semiahmoo First Nation and all the volunteers for all their hard work and a job well done. Jaqueline (McLeod) Hoflin, Surrey
Pet project After reading the front page of the July 14 Peace Arch News, my heart sank. I felt very sad the First Nations event was treated so disrespectfully and they were left with an unnecessary cleanup. For many years, my husband and I have taught dog obedience for South Surrey parks and recreation. We were disheartened to hear dogs, yet again, are seen in such a negative way. There are many people working hard to improve dog/human relations and improve the quality of life for pets in general. Much of this comes down to education, and there is a wide range of areas being addressed. Education about banning breed-specific dogs, pet store animals, backyard breeders, puppy mills and rescue organizations are just a few issues that need attention. Students come to our obedience classes for a variety of reasons, but two seem to be predominant: the dog does not come when
called, and on-leash walks are stressful and unpleasant because the dog is dragging the owner behind. Both problems demonstrate a lack of control and leadership with the dog. We have seen dramatic transformations after enrolling a dog in obedience training. This not only puts you in the leadership role, but also greatly improves relationships with your dogs Once control is established, walking the dog on-leash is a much more pleasant experience. If exercising the dog or a round of ball throwing were required, an off-leash park would be appropriate. Socializing should be done long before a dog is introduced to any public park. So until obedience classes can be undertaken, please stay focused on your dog – and clean up when enjoying our beautiful area. We hope the education that needs to be done happens before dogs and owners lose everything we have gained. Sandy VanDeKinder, Surrey
Responsible behaviour Our neighbour regularly let his, thankfully, now-deceased Alsatian use our yard as a toilet, refusing to clean it up, ever. Simultaneously, he has done everything in his power to ‘punish’ me personally for every bird turd that lands on his property, due to my friendly relationship with a pair of crows. Considering how hard it is to quell the seething anger I feel – he actually told me he has more rights than me since he owns and I only rent – I can imagine how the natives must feel when faced with similar disrespect. People over five years old who still think they deserve all the freedom with none of the responsibility need rehabilitation. R. Bikadoroff, White Rock
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