LETTERS LET’S HAVE CAMERAS IN DAYCARES
Re: “An unimaginable loss,” Wednesday, April 17. I was reading the story about the poor family who lost their little boy due to an incident at a daycare. I feel every daycare should have webcams running all day which have a clear view of every area of the daycare so parents can check in whenever they want to view their child. Webcams are inexpensive and I’m sure the parents wouldn’t mind pitching in a bit extra to ensure the daycare-cam is set up and running. Any daycare worker unhappy with being watched is a daycare worker that I would be suspicious of. If I were running a daycare I would automatically provide that service for parents to put their minds at ease. I vote for daycare cams. Hey, how about going further and having preschool cams and school cams? Lisa Bunnage Coquitlam
WHAT A MESS
Re: “School district announces $8M deficit,” Friday, April 12. Well, well, here we are in another fine mess. In 2002, my youngest child was in Grade 2 at Cedarbrook Elementary, one of three schools closed in Coquitlam due to the School District 43’s budget debacle. I can’t begin to describe the stress that parents, students, teachers and administrators went through that year. Unfortunately, I remember it all too well. My son, now in Grade 12, will be finished with the public school system in a few more weeks and I’m more thrilled than he is. This year’s budget shortfall has already created stress as our school’s principal has scrambled to return money earmarked for much-needed supplies and other things. Melissa Hyndes was on the board in 2002. This week, she was quoted saying that “Mistakes were made. No doubt about it … we’ve seen what the problem is …” Really? After 10 years, why are mistakes of this magnitude being made by people who’ve been at these jobs a while? Who failed to properly analyze the numbers and forecasted projec-
tions? I have a pretty good idea how you’re going to “make this right,” Ms. Hyndes. To start with, good teachers will lose their jobs and more stress will be placed on administrators and still-employed teachers left to deal with larger class sizes, let alone parents and students. Shame on you. It’s time for new blood and fresh ideas on the board, and I know exactly where the cuts should start. If I had this to do all over again with my kids, I would seriously consider private school. Debra Purdy Kong Port Moody
EXPAND THIS PROGRAM Recently, the federal government made an investment of $10 million for defibrillators in hockey rinks around the country. As stated by the government, they are committed to protecting the health and safety of Canadians, while encouraging active and healthy lifestyles. I couldn’t agree more — investments need to be made for such critical medical devices. I live with Type 1 diabetes and I wear an insulin pump that has allowed
THE TRI-CITIES NOW | FRIDAY, APRIL 19, 2013
me to live a healthy, active and safe life. Sadly, not everyone can afford to have one. Last year, the Canadian Diabetes Association released a report looking at the economic benefit of expanding coverage of insulin pumps for all British Columbians living with Type 1 diabetes — an investment that would save the province up to $5.3 million per year by 2032. In British Columbia, it is estimated 31,356 people are living with Type 1 diabetes. Switching from multiple daily insulin injections to an insulin pump can improve A1C values, reduce complications and increase the quality of life for people living with Type 1 diabetes while, at the same time, provide significant cost savings to British Columbia’s health-care system. Currently, the insulin pump program is only available to age 18. The average out-of-pocket expenses for people with Type 1 diabetes who use an insulin pump to better manage their disease is $3,200. For me, my costs are approximately $6,000 a year. Also, now we have the Baby Boom generation who are retiring, and many company medical plans cease at the time of retirement. Linda Zumm Port Moody
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