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HAVE YOUR SAY: How does railway's 'improved service' benefit Comox Valley?

With regards to our railway service in the Comox Valley, the proposed schedule does not serve the requirements of the population.

With regards to our non-existent railway service here in the Comox Valley, the proposed schedule presented to VIA does not serve the requirements of the Comox Valley population, (as did not the previous schedule). If they want to increase ridership, they should offer a service that we, the users, and prospective users, need. The Comox Valley population requires a service that leaves the valley for Victoria in the early morning (say between 6 and 8), and a return ride from Victoria to Courtenay in the evening (say between 6 and 8). This service would make it possible for us to visit the main towns and cities on the Courtenay  to Victoria line, for a whole day, and get a train home by a reasonable hour, an activity that, in the past, has only been possible by road.The proposed service has a train leaving Nanaimo 'early'  in the a.m., to go to Victoria, then run back to Courtenay, (then down to Victoria and back up to Nanaimo). After about a five-hour run, (Nanaimo to Victoria to Courtenay) I can't see the train pulling out of Courtenay much earlier than it used to (around 1 p.m. I believe) and still no service back to the Comox Valley in the evening, so where does the "improved service" benefit us, the users, in the Comox Valley?

I was very disappointed to find no review of the Rainbow Youth Theatre production of 13. The production was absolutely wonderful and all the young people who worked very hard to put on a very classy show should be give great big cheers for theirs success. I haven't seen such a good stage show in ages and I'm pretty sure those watching with me would agree. A very big well done to all.

Interesting that the Canadian Hard of Hearing group has pointed out that the 115 decibels of the F-18s can cause hearing loss without protection. Does this mean that taxpayers are actually paying to be made deaf when we are subjected without choice to this very painful ear-splitting noise as these planes practice over our heads like they repeatedly did last spring? Shouldn't the government issue earplugs to every man, woman and child who is forced to endure this harmful noise, along with a schedule of when it will be happening, so we can be sure to have them in?

At approximately 13:15 hours Aug. 14, four young ladies were riding their horses on Arden Road (between 1st and Embleton Crescent). At least one of the horses left a "calling card" on the road in front of the duplex next to ours. This is not the first time this has happened in our area. We have also noticed over the past six months that horses have left their deposits on the trails in Morrison Creek Park. Dog owners (which I am not ) are expected to clean any mess left by their pets. What are the rules/laws about horse owners and "cleaning up" their mess?

I don't normally write in unless I am really upset about something — but this time it is definitely a good tidbit. I happened to wander around a store called AnMarcos near Shoppers Drug Mart in Courtenay the other day. Never even knew it existed! I was really happy to see so much merchandise made in B.C. and Canada! As I talked to the very pleasant and knowledgable young salesman, I said I really liked a bench but hated the fabric covering it. Imagine my surprise when the owner spoke up and said if I wanted to go get some other fabric, he would put it on free of charge! So Dennis ( salesman) measured up how much I needed. I picked something I liked and within two hours I got a call to say, "voila" your bench is done! Not often these days you get excellent prices,wonderful service, and a smile!! Go have a look at some of their "retro" kitchen sets — wonderful!

We have a family friend who was concerned about the care she received as a patient on both the second- and the third-floor four-bed wards. At age 93 she did not want to "complain" — she felt her future care might be compromised. She was in the hospital for over two months and not made aware of any "family feedback group" nor did she receive any evaluation form to complete while a patient. On numerous occasions she was told "to pee in her diaper," "wait for the next shift to pee," "no time to get you up now" — an Interesting standard of care. She also experienced breakfast while sitting in a dirty diaper on numerous occasions. She believes her urinary system still has not returned to its usual functioning yet due to this care.

Courtenay Dairy Queen (DQ) graciously donated their time and resources to tour 35 children (ages five to 11) through their facility. Participants in Parktime, a summer program running through Courtenay Recreation Association, were introduced to their friendly (and patient) staff members, learned how cool treats are made, stood in a giant freezer, and watched how ice cream cakes are decorated. Unmistakably, the highlight of the visit was when each participant was allowed to make their own ice cream cone by pulling the lever! The tour was an absolute hit with the participants and Parktime volunteers and staff. Kelsi Fair (Parktime supervisor) asked for DQ’s Miracle Day leaflets to hand to parents after a brief conversation made goose bumps rise on her arms. “The DQ manager told me about how the proceeds they raised last year brought three portable incubator units. This means that mothers can stay with their baby/babies while they are transported from one location to another in a helicopter or ambulance.” On Miracle Day the Courtenay DQ donates ALL proceeds from every Blizzard purchased at their location to BC Children’s Hospital, specifically funding equipment and new technology. Evidently, the small connection of a tour led to another Parktime field trip to DQ on the following Thursday. The purpose of the second trip was for children to support other children in their community (while indulging in a Blizzard). “I was really impressed when Courtenay Recreation Association agreed to pay for each Parktime participant to have a Blizzard” said Kelsi. To follow up, Kelsi contacted the Courtenay DQ and learned that they made 1,240 Blizzards on Miracle Day, raising approximately $6,680 for the BC Children’s Hospital. Kelsi feels that Parktime’s field trip to DQ on Aug. 8 will have a lasting impact on both the participants and the community.

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Do you have somebody to praise or something you have to get off your chest? Have your say by submitting to editor@comoxvalleyrecord.com. Please focus on people's ideas rather than speculating about their character. You can also get a written submission to 765 McPhee Ave., Courtenay, B.C. V9N 2Z7 or fax to 250-338-5568. If you wish to talk to the editor, phone Mark Allan at 250-338-7816, 2309.