Houseboats could solve housing problem
The biggest single barrier to affordable housing in Greater Victoria is the absurdly high price of land in our ocean-constrained community. Meanwhile, unfortunately, the Victoria International Marina is insolvent and up for sale.
The Times 91原创 reports that “the marina has struggled since it opened in 2018.” Perhaps repurposing is the solution to the marina’s ongoing woes.
This could be a wonderful opportunity for new affordable housing if a flotilla of purpose-built houseboats were to be established in Victoria’s harbour at the former marina.
Houseboats have increased our housing stock at West Bay and Fisherman’s Wharf and the International Marina could house perhaps 70 houseboats with a bit of adjustment of the present docks.
Water and sewage infrastructure would need to be added to make a wonderful new community. Our community would benefit if we exchange a destination for yachts for affordable housing.
Tom Gore
North Saanich
How would they handle the postwar era?
Every year I watch A Christmas Carol with Alistair Sim playing Ebenezer Scrooge. Made in the 1950s before Technicolor, and long before the computer technology that plays such a large part in modern cinema, the film remains one of my favourites.
The movie was released around the same time that I was studying Charles Dickens’ wonderful tale of redemption in the English-literature class during my first year at Redruth County Grammar School in the U.K., having won a scholarship to attend there at age 11.
Watching the movie refreshes memories of those schooldays, and makes me wonder how kids are currently treated compared with back then.
For example, in today’s consumer society, many self-proclaimed experts have declared in all different kinds of media how pandemic isolation and restrictions are injurious to everyone’s mental health, especially in the younger generations.
When attending that school, the Second World War had only recently ended, and food rationing had continued for another decade thereafter.
Almost all the kids there came from working-class backgrounds where money was scarce; everyone had relatives who had participated in the war, many of whom had been killed, maimed or wounded.
Life was certainly not a cakewalk, but we struggled and helped each other where possible. We also considered ourselves lucky that Dickens had spotlighted the need for societal change, calling poor children “ignorance and want” for Scrooge to observe.
Have to wonder how today’s younger generation would handle growing up in that postwar era, let alone in Tiny Tim Cratchit’s days where he was still so grateful for so little to proudly declare “God bless us, every one.”
Bernie Smith
Parksville
They did all they could, and still were closed
I am spooked by the recent health order that closed some businesses but not others for the sake of COVID-related safety.
All gyms are now closed, including the one I manage that has embraced public health orders since COVID began.
Our employees have worn N95 masks since April 2020. Our members are also masked and welcomed our proof-of-vaccination policy before any corresponding public health order.
Staff and members alike have paid careful attention to physical distancing and mask compliance. We’ve even calibrated our gym’s HVAC system to maintain negative air pressure. We’ve “followed the science” as best we can.
Public health leadership can’t be easy. I’m sympathetic.
But I’m concerned that a public health notice that all Island gyms received states that gym closures “have been introduced to limit congregation” but then goes on to explain that parallel facilities (referred to as “sporting venues”) can continue to host activities including bowling, basketball, racquet sports and rock climbing.
Further, masks can be removed in these indoor group settings “while actively engaged in sport.”
I sent our employees home on Dec. 22 and then drove away accompanied by the voice of the GPS in my car. The GPS politely reminds me to adjust the car’s speed through various school zones.
This time, I imagined the car telling me which businesses were closed for the sake of public safety. “All these businesses are now closed for the greater good,” she said. “Except for this one, and that one, and those ones.”
Erik Ages, general manager
Selkirk Waterfront Fitness Centre
Victoria
Little attention paid to COVID risks
I belong to a popular gym in Victoria and the sensitization and mask policies at it are a total joke. They say the policy is to wear a mask everywhere except on the machines or working out.
What sense does that make? You’re breathing the hardest when you’re working out! There are people walking around everywhere not only not wearing masks but they don’t even have one with them!
These people with the same mentality think nothing of socializing with no distancing. The staff is doing nothing to enforce the policies, and even though several people have mentioned the problem to them they kind of shrug their shoulders and say “what can we do?”
I have contacted the health authority about the ridiculous policy. No response. It’s no wonder they’re shut down.
Mike Butler
Victoria
It you are sick, please stay home
From bosses to pharmaceutical companies to friends, everybody encourages you to carry on normally when you are ill.
Take this to reduce fever. Take this to reduce congestion. Take this to relieve indigestion and diarrhea. Then go about your business as if you aren’t sick.
Pharmaceutical companies make a fortune the more people you infect, as the loop goes on and on.
Now COVID has brought into focus how dangerous this behaviour really is, and finally health officials are concerned. Hopefully this pandemic will change society’s view about masking symptoms and carrying on spreading germs.
In order for this new approach to work, employers, or the government, will need to provide compensation for ill employees.
Nobody should be left destitute because they are ill. In many cases the illness originated in the workplace.
So let us get out of the dark ages and make sure sick people can stay home without losing their income. Sick people carrying on as normal should be discouraged, not encouraged as it has been in the past.
S.I. Petersen
Nanaimo
Pedestrians, be aware of your surroundings
Re: “Look both ways before crossing the road,” letter, Dec. 23.
The letter echoed part of my thoughts.
As a child in the ’60s we were taught to look both ways before crossing the street. Unfortunately, now I rarely see pedestrians doing this.
Sometimes I wonder if black-clad, phone-using, just-walking-out-onto-the street pedestrians are suicidal.
I know as a driver, a car cannot stop on a dime, especially when drivers must look in so many directions to proceed safely on the roads. So I entreat pedestrians to look left and right before proceeding, wear something reflective or lit and please be aware of your surroundings.
Lynn Martin
Victoria
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