Pedestrian accident
It was with great sadness that we read about the recent death of the 62-year-old newcomer to Powell River who was struck by an SUV on Joyce Avenue [“Pedestrian succumbs to injuries,” March 21].
I moved with my wife and two small children to Powell River in 2005 and spent the better part of seven years living there.
One of the main reasons I wanted to leave was because the community's leaders have never shown the slightest interest in improving traffic flow and enforcement to ensure the safety of the many children and seniors who walk and bike in the community.
It is frightening to walk down Joyce, with its narrow sidewalks and no green buffer or parking lane between pedestrians and the many full-sized pickups and SUVs barreling down the road, usually well above the speed limit.
So many people in Powell River drive late-model full-sized pickups and SUVs that it is dangerous for children in crosswalks, since most of these vehicles have impaired visibility directly in front of the vehicle. That is why such vehicles are banned in Europe.
I would like to think that Powell River may some day wake up to the grave injustice it is doing its pedestrian population by failing to address the many chronic traffic safety problems in the city, but after having lived there for seven years, I don't hold out much hope.
Raymond MacLeod Cushing
North Vancouver
Cranberry Lake
Lilies have taken over the lake; we all understand the infestation of the matter [“Water lilies create cause for concern,” March 26]. Now, the only way you will get rid of them is not by clipping them—you have to put a dredge on a small barge and haul the garbage out of the lake, roots and all. Once the root of the lily takes hold of the bottom of the lake it will multiply very fast like it has for years. The root system is very hardy. You cannot kill the weed.
Once the lake is cleared out you can start fresh, re-stock with trout and make it a nice swimming hole like it was before. Now it is a swamp, not good for the public.
We need to make Cranberry Lake nice again and it can be done once the lilies are out of the lake.
Cliff Lang
Squamish, BC
Ignorance harms
In response to MP John Weston's opposition to the wording of the Tla'amin (Sliammon) First Nation treaty, I am disturbed by his lack of awareness and knowledge of the historical context of the treaty process, especially with regard to the tremendously negative impacts of colonization and unjust Canadian laws on first nation individuals and communities [“Weston speaks against treaty,” March 26].
He claims that the "peace, order and good government of Canada" will be undermined by a treaty that allows Tla'amin to exercise laws that are rooted in traditional systems of governance that have existed for millennia before Canada was even a remote concept. To lump together Sharia law, Québécois law, and other "local" laws into this context betrays a limited understanding of the systemic inequalities that this treaty is aiming to address and rectify—inequalities such as the Indian Act, an aspect of Canadian law that was established to subjugate, control, distort and limit the rights and freedoms of Aboriginal peoples, and which continues to this day.
When Canadian laws existed to criminalize traditional ceremonies and customs, to tear apart families, and deny Aboriginal peoples the right to vote, what "values" exactly were the Canadian government trying to uphold? And what "values" are the current Stephen Harper government, to which Weston is a member, truly upholding when first nations and other citizens who want to protect Canada's environment for future generations are under surveillance and labelled terrorists? What "values" are the Harper government upholding when enacting Bill C-45, which again undermines first nations’ sovereignty and protection for the land and water that sustain us?
If Weston is concerned with the "most vulnerable" members of Canadian society, why does his political party actively seek out free trade agreements with Europe and China that will effectively render our own laws, national or local, null and void in the face of trade tribunals that favour corporate interests?
But what troubles me most of all, after reading the article, is that Weston's problematic understanding of first nations’ issues only serves to fan the flames of ignorance that undermine the learning and constructive dialogue necessary to reach true reconciliation.
Claudia Medina
Marine Avenue
Recycling changes
What is the government planning with regard to recycling [“Changes on horizon for recycling,” March 5]?
Between the ferry upsets and then recycling, what is happening? Powell River is a clean town. If it is made difficult for folks, you may see all the beautiful trails full of garbage. This would undo all the work like the BOMB (Bloody Old Men’s Brigade) Squad has done and others to make the trails safe and clean for those from Powell River and outside to come see and hike.
When something isn’t broken, please don’t fix it.
Powell River, we have to tell the government we want it left alone. We need to remain the Pearl of the Sunshine Coast.
Gloria Riley
Marine Avenue
