Look for alternatives to plastic packaging
As a business owner I’ve found the ban on single-use plastic bags to be a minor inconvenience in pursuit of a good cause. Fine as far as it goes.
It should be noted, though, that retailers traditionally account for the cost of packaging in the cost of goods, so asking customers to pay for paper bags is, in effect, charging them twice.
I’d rather see paper bags available by donation with a few more coins going into our SPCA box. We sell reusable bags as a product category, so they are not an issue.
The real problem is the use of heavy duty plastic packaging in grocery stores and retail generally. Instead of choosing your deli selections from the counter and having the choices wrapped in butcher’s paper, most of the cold cuts and cheeses are now sealed in impenetrable packaging.
Two hundred grams of ham in a package that will outlast us all! It’s always been an issue at big-box stores, but now it’s everywhere.
Even as we learn more and more about the dangers of plastic pollution in the environment, including in our bodies, its use continues to proliferate.
Plastic was the modern miracle of the 20th century. Its use revolutionized manufacturing, becoming a durable replacement materials for an incredible variety of products.
As a society we have become addicted to its use. The problem is that its very durability will leave us up to our necks in dangerous waste.
If the powers that be want to have an impact on plastic pollution, the current federal regulations representing a weak start, a serious examination of alternatives is a good start. It is good to see some steps being taken toward that goal.
I recently bought a box of batteries. No blister pack!
Michael Pasch
The Ladybug Boutique at Mattick’s Farm
Scandinavian Weaving Ltd.
Saanich
James Bay tower will destroy neighbourhood
On July 11, Victoria council voted 5-4 in favour of a proposal for development of a site on Montreal Street in James Bay.
The density of the proposal is opposed by the James Bay Neighbourhood Association and, contrary to the claims of some councillors, the city’s own planners.
It includes a building that would tower over everything around it. It would remove the possibility of using the site to enhance a part of Victoria that greets visitors. Apart from the developer, only the five city councillors support it.
Because the change to the Official Community Plan is so egregious, residents and owners within 200 metres of the site — nearly 1,000 individuals — must be consulted.
Those thousand people pay between $2 million and $3 million in property taxes every year. Add the taxes paid by people who live more than 200 metres from the site.
For comparison, the developer is offering a one-time contribution of $2.18 million to “amenities,” based on a generous valuation of in-kind benefits. Whose wishes should prevail?
To the people in James Bay who will be consulted: Please tell the city what you want to happen (or not happen).
To those councillors who supported the development: Why do you want to sell off our neighbourhood and quality of life at a knock-down price so that a developer can make a pile of money?
This goes against your promises when you were elected.
Roland Clift
James Bay
Few motorists know the dangers of cycling
Scofflaws and idiots are not confined only to cyclists or motorists. They are common in both camps.
Remember that there are about 20 times more motorists than cyclists. By the numbers, for every cyclist breaking the rules of the road, there are 20 motorists breaking the same rules.
Most cyclists (except for those under 16) are also motorists. Few motorists are also cyclists. Not many motorists know what it is like being a cyclist — both the good aspects and the scary ones, too.
In travelling the Trans-Canada Highway, heading between Tillicum Road and McKenzie Avenue, recently, there is a construction speed zone: 50 km/h.
It is in effect, unless stated otherwise, 24/7.
I made a concerted effort to travel at 50 km/h, the speed limit, not the recommended speed.
I lost count of the number of cars, trucks and SUVs that passed me. No change in their driving behaviours. It was very easy to count the number of cars, trucks and SUVs that I passed, as I was travelling very close to the speed limit.
My count was very accurate. I did not pass anyone (nada, zero), a very easy count. I saw no signs that the Saanich Police Department was patrolling.
Robert Townsend
Saanich
Repair or replace the hammer-throwing cage
As a senior masters athlete I have been using the hammer-throwing cage at Lambrick Park Secondary School for more than 10 years — both in weekly practice for upcoming competitions in B.C. and the United States, and in competitions there during the UVic Dogwood track meets annually in the spring.
I have enjoyed sharing throwing times with Adam, a Lambrick Park grad who was also in Paris representing Canada in the hammer throw.
Hammer throwers from the mainland have been regular competitors at the Dogwood Track meet.
Let’s repair the cage, or take action to replace this necessary facility in Victoria ASAP.
Les East
Victoria
Fixing health care will include private options
Re: “We have to admit that change is needed in health care,” commentary, Aug. 9.
There is no doubt that a private health鈥慶are element, such as every civilized country has, will be essential in order to save our depleted health care system.
Of course if you are military, RCMP, covered by Workers’ Compensation or ICBC, you will know we already have a two-tier health-care system. They are not on any wait list for immediate medical needs.
So let those who can afford to pay for their health care requirements, and rather than have them heading out of province for such expensive care, allow them to receive their required medical care and shorten our waiting lists.
Without doubt there would surely and shortly be an abundance of well-qualified medical specialists arriving to fill the bill.
On the matter of the extreme shortage of doctors, we have thousands of young 91原创s attending some of the finest medical schools in the world, in order to obtain their various medical degrees. This is quite unbelievable.
Why does the province not set up a committee to offer to pay the expenses of these outstanding 91原创s, once graduated, to serve in a specific area of the province for a certain number of years?
And provide them the funding to set up their medical practices.
I think five or so years would be an appropriate time span, when these now well-qualified doctors would be free to make another medical practice choice. Hopefully that choice would be to stay in B.C.
And why do we not put such specific restrictions on those thousands of medical graduates from B.C. medical schools. As taxpayers we are funding these medical schools and we deserve to be recompensed through a system of mandatory service in B.C.
Change is sorely needed in our desperate medical health-care system, but seems to me we have senior medical administrators who seem to have the mind set of “that is the way I did it, so everyone else should do the same.”
In the meantime, please do not get seriously ill.
Harry Rice
Victoria
No place in Canada for private health care
Health-care spending has not kept up with inflation nor population growth.
The problems facing Canada’s health-care system are still largely financial as doctors and nurses simply cannot find housing to serve the cities where they’re needed the most. Embracing privatization will not address the fundamental affordability problems facing this country.
The system in the United States did not appear overnight either. It was a slow creep and that same creep is possible here.
It’s also fallacious to assume the United States health-care system is better at providing care. Average wait times in U.S. health care have been increasing.
Not one inch can be granted to privatization.
Tasos Stamadianos
Victoria
Electric vehicles carry particulate problems
Re: “Particulate pollution needs government action,” letter, Aug. 10.
The letter raises an important issue but overlooks our current driving dilemma. Gas-powered cars create both air pollution from their engines and particulate pollution from their tires.
Over time EVs create less air pollution but considerably more particulate pollution from their tires. This is because the equivalent EV is much heavier, has more engine torque and runs on softer low-rolling-resistance tires.
As all EV owners know, they go through tires at about twice the rate of comparable ICE vehicles. All that tire rubber becomes particulate pollution. As a result, switching from gas-powered vehicles to EVs could mean we just trade one harmful pollutant for another.
S.I. Petersen
Nanaimo
To help native bees, plant more flowers
If we wanted to restore the health of the marine ecosystems around Victoria, we wouldn’t introduce non-native Atlantic salmon in large numbers to swim everywhere, eating everything up and growing fat. Even if we intended to harvest those fish to eat, we would know that was a terrible idea.
And the same truth should be recognized about honeybees. They are non-native intruders that vacuum up the resources our native bees and pollinators need.
In a recent Islander column, David Sovka described many terrific ways to help native pollinators and ecosystems: reduce lawn area, grow more flowers, stop using garden chemicals: fertilizers, insecticides, and herbicides, etc.
Then he said “you can help bees by becoming a beekeeper yourself.” He said that before becoming allergic he had hives with 80,000 honey bees in his backyard.
Such a horde of bees would be a black hole for the pollen and nectar native bees need to make their own nests and feed their own young.
If you want to help bees do not become a beekeeper, and do not host a beehive on your property.
Plant flowers, preferably the native flowers that feed both our native generalist and specialist bees.
Let’s support our wild, native bees, not honey bees, which are non-native domestic livestock.
Ann Tiplady
Victoria
Deal with the drivers using the Malahat
Re: “No more patience on Malahat upgrades,” letter, Aug. 9.
It’s not the Malahat that’s dangerous, it’s the drivers!
The ones texting or talking on their cellphone while travelling at excessive speeds, commonly referred to as without due care and attention, or the ones who can’t, won’t or don’t travel posted speed limits.
The actions of these drivers is frustrating. Law enforcement resources are stretched to the max.
Installing photo radar is a great option, but who pays for it. It certainly would help to deter those individuals who take pleasure in “sprouting wings” and “flying” with total disregard for others on our roads.
Valerie Pert
Colwood
On Malahat, drivers bad, barriers good
Re: “No more patience on Malahat upgrades,” letter, August 9.
I beg to differ. There is nothing wrong with road, it’s the drivers.
I do agree with the idea of barriers all the way.
How did the writer clock the drivers doing 160 to 180 km/h?
Bernie Langkammer
Duncan
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