While Courtenay and Comox council consider debates on genetically altered foods, this is not their jurisdiction — nor smart meters. Their jurisdiction is providing good local government services to constituents, which they do very well. Who would want to live anywhere else? The challenge is that their services are costing two to three times the cost of living in Canada. Not a problem for those with a government pension or a private pension, or professional incomes, but many don't have this fine benefit and many here exist on low incomes. By collaborating, the three or four local government services would be more affordable.
Wow, we now know your true self and where to direct the RCMP looking to bust stoners. How dare you print reasonable, science-based journalism and thought-provoking editorials (Record, Sept. 19)! As a right wing, right non-thinking Canadian, I can only speculate on the theoretical carnage this might have on Comox Valley editorial-reading boys and girls whose immature brains cannot tolerate truth. Have you no decency left, sir, than to challenge self-contented conservatives with unpleasant veracity? Do you not have enough moral hypocrisy to bother to lie to the masses? Shame on you. I remember when politicians and editorialists had the duplicity to be government propaganda outlets while purporting to claim journalistic integrity.
I'm inspired by the courage of the young Harriette Cunningham! She is an example of strength to us all. I totally support the campaign to have legal recognition for categories other than male or female. What a hero!
I totally agree with the person who wrote "It is September." I went to the Spit on Sept. 8. I walked the length of the Spit searching in vain for a fire pit (I wasn't the only one either), only to be told by the "park ranger" that there are no more pits. They've been removed by order of the regional district, who in their wisdom have deemed "summer over." No more fires allowed. Pardon me, but what crap!
When at a recent golf competition we have gross scores of 192
and net scores of 142 there is something wrong and the committees know what it is. It is high time they stopped condoning it, they are allowing the game to look silly.
Great news that the B.C. government has reached a deal with school support staff, ensuring stability for our students! The cash-strapped B.C. government is passing on the cost of this agreement to local school districts. Not a bad idea, as school districts have the responsibility for a managing such benefits as sick days and executive compensation. Considering that the private sector has about half the overhead for sick days, there should be some opportunities for reducing absenteeism costs in school districts.
About these people on electric bikes and four-wheeled electric carts … Section 183 of the Motor Vehicle Act regulates ebikes. Is there no provincial legislation governing four-wheeled mobility scooters? I was driving West on Noel coming up to Anderton last week. In front of me was a gentleman on his four-wheeled mobility scooter in the middle of the lane like he was driving a car. He was about eight feet from the side walk driving down the street, through the lights and on down the block. I've seen these ebikes being ridden down the side walk, the drivers with and without helmets. It is also against the law to ride a bicycle on a sidewalk unless specifically directed to. I don't mind seeing little kids on the sidewalk, but when you see adults on the sidewalk? Who enforces this kind of thing? What about helmets on bicycle riders? All ages must wear a helmet. That's provincial legislation ($100 fine). You can bet if I were to leave the house on my motorcycle, the first RCMP officer who saw me would haul me over to the curb for a ticket ($138 fine). Why are they not enforcing the "other" helmet law?
Beautiful sunny days to members of the Comox Golf Club. Membership is not about the number of rounds you play, it's about the number of friends you make! With heartfelt thanks from Dale, Tsumugi, Baby Ryo and the Riva family.
Both the B.C. premier and the federal Conservatives have been promoting their Jobs Plan and Economic Action Plan and creating jobs for foreign workers, while 1.3 million Canadians remain unemployed and millions more underemployed in low-paying jobs. It seems that many of the predicted LNG and oil boom jobs will be filled with offshore workers first, rather than training Canadians. The BC Ministry of Natural Gas is forming a project team to expedite the hiring of foreign skills. Canadians should not be surprised at this — both governments have been predicting skills shortages for a decade and have done little about the predicted gap between skills and jobs. As expected, the HD mining model is the preferred option for employers, with support of the B.C. government and federal Conservatives. A sad lack of government oversight or long-term vision.
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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.