I am an air cadet, and I have been one for quite some time. The local squadron here, 386 Komox Squadron, used to be a great squadron. The air cadet program was designed to teach youth discipline, respect, responsibility, and about aviation and the military. But this training year, it has been very hard to learn respect, especially when respect is forced upon you by two officers, not earned. It's not that I can't take the discipline, because I definitely can. I grew up in a military family, so I know how the military works. A friend of mine got in trouble because he or she told our CO and another officer something, but not that officer. Who is under the CO. My friend didn't get in trouble for skipping the chain of command. He or she got in trouble, simply because she wasn't informed by the CO or the other officer. Last month, the seniors got in trouble because we lost almost 20 cadets in February, because some of us were being "too hard" on them. However, I know, a lot of these cadets personally, and I know why they quit. Because a certain officer, who just came this year, is being ridiculously hard on cadets. So what I can say, is join cadets. It is a great program, don't get me wrong. Cadets is there to help our youth of today, and it does! But, some officers don't. So if you are reading this letter, I ask to rethink next time you get angry. Because you two are, truly making me and others consider leaving cadets, a program we have loved since we were 12 years old.
On Saturday we watched our young granddaughter attend her weekly soccer game. It was truly a wonderful experience for us to watch her and about a hundred other children her age enjoying this activity. We have to thank the organizers, coaches, parents and all involved in giving their time to such activities. They don't just "happen." It takes hours of volunteer time to be able to provide these programs for our children and grandchildren. However, the smiles on all the children's and adults' faces during the activity, told us that they knew it was worth their while to provide such programs for the children.
A bouquet of roses to the wonderful woman who followed me into a parking lot to let me know my vehicle insurance had run dry. You're an angel. Thank you.
A bouquet of gratitude to the gentleman who pulled over to stop a bunch of strange thugs who were beating on my son. I can't thank you enough. God bless.
Congrats to the CVRD for persevering to get the trail built to Royston. Now, from my observations, there needs to be a trail built along Lazo Road between Butchers and Balmoral, ideally all the way to the ocean. This area is an accident waiting to happen. On summer evenings there are sometimes 20 people walking between Butchers and Balmoral. Parents with children, dog walkers, etc. love to walk and bike along here, as the rural setting is pleasing to the soul. There is no shoulder and due to the increased subdivisions in this area, the cars are more numerous and they drive fast. I would love to see even a dirt trail along here and I am sure volunteers would even contribute. Please, CVRD, be proactive instead of reactive. Someone is going to get hurt.
The Mexican buffet fundraising dinner May 3, hosted by the Comox Pentecostal Church, was a great success. Many individuals and businesses deserve sincere thanks for all of their commitment and efforts. The dinner was outstanding with bouquets to Chef Serafin! Pastor Dave Postal, his staff and parishioners provided many hours of service toward the enjoyment and success of this event. Several local businesses donated money or gifts for the dinner or silent auction. Sincere appreciation goes to Thrifty Foods, Walmart and Safeway in Courtenay, Quality Foods and Extra Foods in Comox, Debbie Ross of All Keyed Up Music and several Campbell River businesses. A special thank you goes to Maritza Herrera of Campbell River for her organization of the Silent Auction. The support of all participants was greatly appreciated.
I hope that everyone who has been so fearful of the currents given off by smart meters realizes that they will be exposed to these same vibes in various public buildings and outdoor spaces if the city takes Shaw up on its Wi-Fi offer? We will all be unknowingly zapped. Will people who are particularly sensitive to these not be able to go out in public anymore? Where are the voices of all the smart meter protesters?
As David Suzuki states, we're in a giant car heading towards a brick wall and everyone's arguing over where they're going to sit. It is a no-brainer that pesticides and herbicides are killing our bees, beneficial insects, pets and possibly ourselves. Many contain cancer-causing chemicals. The onus should be on all of the stores that sell these products. Of course they are controlled by what the customers want. Please stop buying these products. Come on, people, is a green lawn really that important? Wake up and smell the roses while we still have them. Without bees, they will be gone. Remember, bending over and weeding can actually be beneficial to your health. It is called exercise.
Now that some of the dust has settled after the May 14 election, I’d like to offer some comments on the Raven Coal Mine issue. Politically, we’re at the same place today as we were before the election, with a Liberal provincial government, and our MLA-elect Don McRae likely to retain a cabinet position in that government. It’s now clear that the final provincial decision on the Raven Mine project will be made by Liberal cabinet members. All of the concerns about the coal mine, including the need for thorough aquifer mapping, and a request by all of the Comox Valley local governments for a more rigorous environmental review, remain the same. The BC Shellfish Growers Association, a crucial stakeholder in our community, still has the massive coal mine proposal listed as the No. 1 threat to the Baynes Sound shellfish industry. It will be interesting to note how or if the requests by the Comox Valley local governments will be addressed during the remainder of the environmental review process. As they say, the proof will be in the pudding. Will the BC Liberal government give the green light to a massive coal mine project that would be perched above the most productive shellfish growing area in B.C., and most likely would require monitoring and mitigation measures in perpetuity? You can rest assured that those who have raised concerns about this ill advised coal mine proposal near Fanny Bay before the election, will continue to voice our concerns today and in the future. Given the timelines for a final decision, it’s a certainty this hot button issue will be a topic of discussion for the remainder of 2013 or early 2014. Stay engaged and stay tuned!