Burning days a health concern

Re: Langford burning days need to end, Letters, Oct. 21, 2009.

First I would like to compliment the City of Langford for building such a great all-weather turf field. It is awesome.

I have been watching the construction and waiting for when my youngest son's soccer team would get to play on this new turf. My son plays for Juan de Fuca soccer and their turn finally came on Saturday. They were all excited about playing on this great field. They played well and it was a very close game.

Now the bad news. During the game a neighbour, adjacent to the field, started an open fire.

The smoke from the fire filled the entire area. We have a couple of kids on the team with asthma so this was not a good thing for these or any of the kids.

It is very obvious how bad it was. During the game we could all see and smell the smoke.

Is there anyway Langford could ban fires in this area during games? This is a very real health concern.

Brian Severinsen

Langford

Burning days a fun, family event

Re: Langford burning days need to end, Letters, Oct. 21, 2009.

My boys and I look forward to burning days in Langford. I am teaching them the importance and dangers of fire.

We keep our fires small and when it burns down to coals we roast hotdogs and marshmallows. My boys love doing this and as far as I’m concerned we are not hurting the environment or anyone else. What about these people that get in their gigantic SUVs and drive to their expensive gyms. Don’t you think you are hurting the environment?

Don’t take this away from us as I was brought up this way and I want my kids to enjoy this also. If you don’t like it move to Colwood.

Susan Branchaud

Langford

Council funds helps library to survive

As chair of the View Royal reading centre committee I would like to thank our loyal patrons, supporters and volunteers who have urged us to remain open.

View Royal council has agreed to provide us with additional funding of $7,000 toward our annual operating expenses of $20,000. This will ensure that we are able to continue operating as a community library for View Royal and Songhees First Nation residents for the near future.

In a little more than one year since we gave up our charter as a public library (at the insistence of the provincial government and with a promise of funding), we have had more than 750 patrons sign on as members.

Our circulation of reading materials, audio books, DVD/VHS and access to the Internet for members has increased nearly every month and we hope that more View Royal, Songhees and nearby residents will visit us in our location at Admirals Walk.

Jim Powell

View Royal

Earlier First Nation, settler conflict ignored

Re: The Chilcotin War isn’t over yet, B.C. Views, Oct. 14, 2009.

Tom Fletcher states that the Chilcotin War of 1864 was “B.C.’s only shooting war between natives and gold seekers.” This is hardly true.

The Fraser Canyon War of 1858, along the river between Yale and Lytton, resulted in many more deaths than the Chilcotin uprising. Although the Chilcotin events resulted in 20 miners and others killed, and several Tsilhqot’in later hanged in retribution, the Fraser Canyon War according to various contemporary reports counted between 30 and a few hundred dead.

We will never know exactly how many miners and First Nations people were killed but it can be argued that the Fraser Canyon episode had greater implications for B.C. and was multi-national in scope.

Ken Favrholdt

Kamloops

Amalgamation good for smaller East Sooke lots

On Oct. 21, I attended a Metchosin public meeting held to update the public on the state of the proposed merger of East Sooke and Metchosin.

During the meeting Mayor John Ranns reaffirmed his often stated position that he supports fee simple subdivision for Rural “A” properties in East Sooke, into one hectare (2.5 acre) parcels, if the restructuring becomes a reality.

His stated intentions were welcomed by the landowners present from East Sooke, who have long supported one hectare as a more appropriate lot size for their properties.

Also encouraged, were the residents of Metchosin who have been seeking similar parcel size adjustments in their own zoning bylaws.

Considering the prevailing economy and demographics, rural residents will increasingly need to estate plan, which will include dividing their real estate to family members, in an accessible and affordable manner.

We greatly appreciate Mayor Rann’s straightforward statements on this important issue.

Zac Doeding

Association of B.C.

Land Owners

What is the big fuss over a fitness centre?

Several groups should be chastised for the fuss over a fitness centre at the Ministry of the Environment building in Victoria:

The Ministry of the Environment for including a TV and video games. It seems bureaucracies can’t do a good thing sensibly, if they do anything they have to overdo it. Ultimately the problem is rational leadership, not something Environment Minister Barry Penner and Premier Gordon Campbell are great at.

The Province newspaper for sensationalizing.

Voters for fussing over it.

And the City of Victoria for oppressive zoning rules that restrict use of space.

Fitness centres are good things, both directly and as a shower-and-change facility for persons walking or cycling to work, but a fee should be charged. For example, Boeing has small ones in some of its buildings and larger ones nearby (with child care), but charges several dollars per month to use them.

Keith Sketchley

Saanich

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