Dallas Road barrier serves a purpose
As work begins on replacing the blue-green concrete railing along the Dallas Road seawall, the city鈥檚 decision to remove it continues to be rather baffling. The argument is that it is unsightly, and that it obscures the view.
Did anyone research why it was built in the first place?
Notwithstanding the fact oceans are rising due to climate change, fierce storms are also happening more frequently. The present concrete wall was logically built decades ago as a barrier to help stop ocean debris such as rocks and logs from washing onto Dallas Road, and potentially onto the residences across the street.
Illogically installing a steel-and-cable structure will not stop anything, and people should expect road closures during high-tide windstorms.
It is doubtful the $3.85 million to put up a flimsy fence will be enough for yearly clean up costs after each storm.
Is it too late to stop this, or will it be an I-told-you-so moment next winter?
Mur Meadows
Victoria
Give priority access to health-care workers
Costco is temporarily allowing priority access to its warehouses for Costco members who are health-care workers and first responders such as police officers, emergency medical technicians and firefighters.
Health-care workers and first responders who present an official identification of their role will be allowed to move to the front of any line to enter the warehouse. All retail stores and government offices, that are able to manage to do this, should.
Gil Verrier
Esquimalt
How can we help most vulnerable citizens?
Victoria鈥檚 COVID-19 statistics are good when compared to other parts of Canada and the world. Why? Likely due to our geography, strong political leadership, cooperative citizens and dedicated front-line professionals.
However, one group of Victoria鈥檚 population is much less fortunate. Many of those struggling are homeless, who these days are camped out on Pandora Avenue and other supported locations such as Topaz Park, no doubt trying to be as close to reliable food sources as possible. Our Place is working very hard to support this population. Previously almost 200 paid staff members provided support over five facilities, supported by 800 volunteers. All volunteers have been told to stay home to protect their health.
The most challenged population is not just homeless. It includes people from all demographics: seniors on limited income; families struggling to make ends meet; and those who struggle with mental health and addiction issues.
If you鈥檝e driven down Pandora recently you will note that social-distancing is extremely challenging. A perilous situation has emerged.
The green, four-page insert about Our Place that went out in last Thursday鈥檚 Times 91原创 provides invaluable background information worth reading.
How can citizens help support our most vulnerable population? We see two options: supporting the continuing relocation of homeless people to nearby supported housing options, where social-distancing can be enhanced; or offering donations to Our Place to expand their operations without volunteers. We are choosing the second option.
Brian Grover and Patrice Goyette,
Former Our Place volunteers
Victoria should cut costs, reduce taxes
Re: 鈥淰ictoria scraps property-tax increase to provide relief during pandemic,鈥� April 9.
The city should look at reducing its costs to lower taxes for 2020 by first looking at its proposed staffing levels. There is no excuse for creating new positions to undertake new initiatives at this time.
Second, it should revisit the new positions created last year, many of which were unnecessary and focused on initiatives not related to core services.
And third, it should consider not replacing staff who retire or leave their positions in the next 12 months and have their duties assumed by existing staff. Non-essential positions such as artists-in-residence and other feel-good posts should be cut as soon as commitments expire. And note, this does not mean cutting back on essential core services such as policing, fire protection, gardening and maintenance.
Council鈥檚 approach to budgeting and tax increases does not begin with asking what are the core services we are responsible to provide and what level of staffing do we require to achieve this?
Instead, as stated in its 2019-2022 strategic plan, council sets a targeted tax increase of inflation plus 1% (3.8% for next year) and then asks how much extra money will that provide them to pursue pet projects, including hiring additional staff.
Council assumes an increase of inflation plus 1% regardless of need. Council assumes that since new development is a constant source of new revenue each year, that this approach is sustainable. It is not, and now is the time to return to the basics.
John Amon
Victoria
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