Celebrate community
Email
Print
Letter to Editor
Share
Updated: October 27, 2009 1:09 AM
There’s a lot to be angry about regarding the Olympics. There’s the culture biting of the Inukshuk and the Cowichan sweater. HBC is having sweaters knit in a similar style made in China. Knitters are rightfully protesting.
There are the traffic plans (which thankfully Islanders avoid) in Vancouver, where people commuting to work are going to be inconvenienced and forced into fewer lanes. Anyone who has ever driven in Vancouver is probably breathing into a bag just thinking about it.
There are millions and millions of dollars being poured into an event average British Columbians can’t afford to attend, and then there’s the fact the provincial government spent a million on tickets to give to other visiting officials.
There are all those flights being rerouted through special screening airports. Some smaller airline companies and airports are closing down while those requirements are in effect.
Yup. Lots of frustrations. Those are just the few that come to mind.
We’re on a rapid downhill slope to the event itself, starting with the torch relay, which comes through Ladysmith and Chemainus on Saturday. There’s no escaping the Olympics now even if you have a mind to do so — unless you’re a snowbird.
But no matter how people may feel about the Olympics, Oct. 31 is going to be a good day. Local businesses, organizations and governments have come together to put on events for everyone and children and plenty of adults will be thrilled to see the torch come down First Avenue in Ladysmith.
However you feel about the Olympics, push it aside Oct. 31 and enjoy the things the community has put together. Unlike the Olympics, everyone is actually welcome.
— The Chronicle
v2
