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Tell first responders that they are appreciated

Following the death of Const. Sarah Beckett, in Langford in April 2016, we, as a community, were given the opportunity to experience a full regimental funeral to honour her sacrifice in the line of duty.

This process has been repeated for Const. Shaelyn Yang, and Const. John Davidson since 2016. Now Const. Rick O’Brien.

Life can change in an instant. First responders (police, firefighters, ambulance crews and military personnell) put their lives on the line for us, every shift, every day.

The outpouring of support for Beckett’s family as well as the other officers who died in the line of duty, the RCMP and police in general, was unprecedented.

What will it take for all of us to appreciate the services that first responders provide to us before one of them dies in the line of duty?

I was lucky enough to work with police officers and first responders before my retirement as a coroner. I always knew going to a scene what the situation was.

I could prepare myself and I always knew I would get to go home. First responders, especially police officers, do not always have that privilege.

Be grateful for the fact they have committed to public service and protection because they wanted to contribute and make a difference in our world.

Tell police officers and other first responders when you see them that you appreciate their sacrifice to keep us and our communities safe before they have to die to prove their dedication.

Maureen Wint

Retired coroner and embalmer

Victoria

Fines for sa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½ Ferries? That makes no sense

The provincial government’s plan to fine sa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½ Ferries for cancelled trips represents illogical thinking on the part of the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure.

Trips are delayed for a variety of reasons. Staffing shortages are one material reason.

If government is going to charge sa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½ Ferries for “underperforming” on their contract with government, then government should also fine the health authorities for cancelling surgeries because of staffing issues.

Alternatively, government might consider giving sa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½ Ferries another $100 million to raise the wages of specific categories of employees to attract more applicants.

Fining public institutions who – in my opinion — are working hard to overcome staffing challenges is an illogical and inappropriate step.

Philip Halkett

Victoria

Three steps that would increase housing

It sure seems like Victoria Mayor Marianne Alto is missing the boat on the short-term rentals.

With more than 800 known short-term rentals in Victoria, and likely as many unknown, she could immediately gain a host of long-term rentals by imposing some regulations that are becoming common throughout North America.

First, copy Quebec’s Bill 25 and impose the same fine of $100,000 per unlicensed listing. This gets you the funds to hire your new bylaw enforcement folks.

Next, increase the license fee to $5,000 a year and only allow short term rentals for 90 days per year.

Finally, demand that the person owning the short-term rental property, live on the property where the rental is located.

These are easy moves for the mayor and council to take. But it seems that everyone is asking everyone else for more housing but no one wants to make the easy moves to get more housing.

Perhaps they are all in the short-term rental business?

Rick Fonger

Sooke

After a bad tenant, this unit is not available

Re: “Landlords left with little recourse,” letter, Oct. 4.

That was also our experience. We had rental units with tenants from hell.

We interviewed a couple with three beautiful little girls, both parents had jobs and seemed OK.

A few months later, I noticed that he was repairing vehicles in the carport with oil and garbage all over the place. I also had a late call from a neighbour that there was noise, and cars coming and going all night.

On Sept. 3, I get a call from the side unit that there was quiet next door. Upon inspection, it seemed that the unit was not occupied.

The tenant had skipped out of province.

I started to clean up. Old tires, car parts and more to go to the dump. Large oil stain on the concrete in carport. Inside was also soiled with oil steps across the carpets.

All the old appliances were a mess so another load to the dump. Downstairs was smelly as they had kept a large reptile in the closet, shit everywhere.

So, we lost two months of rent and paid for a costly cleanup.

There was no help from government as we knew they would not compensate us for any loss. This loss is equal to the year earnings for that unit.

Next day, we read that our tenant was a wanted man for peddling drugs. Who would have known?

Never will we rent our property to anyone. Never!

J.I. Hansen

North Saanich

Campers in parks make residents feel unsafe

Re: “Residents complain campers taking over Vic West Park,” Oct. 4.

I submitted bylaw complaints almost daily for more than two months because the campers don’t leave during the day and have garbage strewn all over. Nothing ever changed.

I spoke with the bylaw manager who stated his officers are extremely busy and attend occasionally and issue citations.

My question to them was: what is the point of a bylaw if it’s not enforceable? I suggested that if a bylaw is not effective then policy needs to change.

At that point, I was referred to city council to put forth a motion, which I never got around to, as I do not have the time to lobby for change.

I have witnessed verbal aggression, drug use, fire hazards in an extreme fire risk season and, as mentioned, lots of littering. My daughter does not feel safe playing there.

A VicPD officer told me the police cannot assist with enforcement of bylaws, which I was surprised to hear as I thought police are authorized to enforce all laws.

Parks are not a suitable solution, other options need to be explored like non-park areas with porta-potties and tiny homes, which were successful but shut down due to an inability to modify laws.

If the city is serious about a solution, maybe start with looking at previously successful pilots that had to be shut down due to these same bylaws that the campers don’t respect and follow.

Mike Deigan

Victoria

Inconsistent thinking about natural gas

Re: “Nanaimo closer to banning natural gas as primary heat source in new homes,” Sept. 29.

Nanaimo’s proposed bylaw will enable the city to comply with a “2030 provincial target for the highest levels of its zero-carbon rule for new homes.”

This leads to the question of who would be the beneficiary of sa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½’s climate targets.

sa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½ taxpayers owe $16 billion for the yet-to-be-completed Site C dam. Although successive governments have claimed Site C to be a “clean energy” project, much of the generated power will be directed to Kitimat via newly built transmission lines.

In Kitimat, that “clean” electrical power will convert the same natural gas (that Nanaimo is proposing to ban) into LNG for export. Other countries will then burn our province’s LNG and contribute to global warming.

Why is it that sa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½ has mandated climate targets but is not concerned about exporting LNG abroad?

Phil Hoen

Victoria

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