Painful impasse
Let me begin by stating unequivocally that I am not, never have been nor will ever be under the employ of Lafarge or, as of late, LafargeHolcim [“Texada quarry owners take union to court,” January 25].
However, I am surrounded by people I deeply care for who are employees. The stress, pain and fear has now clearly etched its way onto the faces of my beloved neighbours. These are folks who used to smile and laugh on a daily basis.
There is now a deafening silence in the neighbourhood. My neighbours are people who possess the highest degree of decency and would literally, to use the cliché, give you the shirt off their back. These are families who have raised, or are raising, wonderful offspring who are making positive contributions to society.
We all understand the mandate of a corporation is to be accountable to stakeholders and to fatten the bottom line. However, they also have an obligation to the community that makes it possible to extract those dollars in the first place.
This impasse must come to an end, so the community can begin the healing process. Fundraising efforts are heartfelt expressions of humanity, however they will not keep the wolf from the door.
It is more than time for LafargeHolcim to do the right thing.
Steve Perkins
Blair Road, Van Anda
Renovation eyesores
City of Powell River is going ahead with a compulsory demolition on Joyce Avenue [“Council upholds demolition order,” January 25] while nothing is done about the old Inn at Westview.
It seems a bit unfair somehow.
There are houses around Powell River where renovations were started, but never finished, and for years have been an eyesore. It is about time limits were put on renovations and reconstruction.
Helen Evans
Manitoba Avenue
