Suzuki-bashing letter gets readers riled up

Re: Suzuki shoud quit scare-mongering (Letters, Oct. 16)

It really bothers me when I see people writing in attacking David Suzuki.

David Suzuki is an expert on environmental issues and to call him Chicken Little is outrageous, and as often the case, completely misses the point.

Have you seen The 11th Hour? Read Plan B 3.0: Mobilizing to Save Civilization or Stupid to the Last Drop, or many others?

Many scientists are concerned that civilization is in danger of collapse.

With global warming, declining world food production, environmental destruction, biodiversity loss, over-fished oceans, pollution, peak oil and an increasing human population coming to a head, it is hard for us in Canada to imagine this with all our open spaces, fresh water and other natural resources, but much of the rest of the world is near it’s limits.

Gerry Haustein, Langford

•••

Keith Sketchley you and I have nothing to be alarmed about.

You, because you have your head buried safely in the sand and me because I chose not to have children or grandchildren.

Eternal optimists (everything is going to be just fine) like you are quickly killing our planet Earth.

We need more “wolf criers” like David Suzuki.

Rick Fournier, Oak Bay

Board of education failed to protect classrooms in vote

Since 2002, when the provincial government imposed a teacher contract that took away legislation specific to class-size limits and composition, the public has heard much from teachers about how these factors negatively impact children’s learning.

In 2006, the government responded to the 2005 teacher walkout and subsequent public concern with Bill 33.

That set class-size limits at 30 for grades 4 to12, with no more than three students with Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) in a class of 30 unless recommended by district administration and agreed to by the teacher.

The district has yet to comply with Bill 33.

At the Oct. 13 school board meeting, Trustee Catherine Alpha was the only one who took a stand to reject superintendent John Gaiptman’s Bill 33 Report. She spent time looking through the district’s class size and composition submissions and found that 325 classes did not meet the requirements of Bill 33.

Not only that, more than half of the teachers of these classes did not agree to their class size and composition assignments. She noted one class had 12 students with special needs designations.

Few parents, teachers, or other members of the public attended that board meeting. Was it because few knew about the vote on the Bill 33 report and its importance? Or was it because few believe the public can influence trustees to do more advocacy for their children than to write letters to the Education Ministry?

This meeting was an opportunity for trustees to stand up to the government and demand financial support for its own legislation.

If there had been standing room only, more than one trustee might have had the courage to reject the superintendent’s report.

Starla Anderson, Saanich

Article on coroners raises concerns

Re: Deciphering Death (News, Oct. 14)

I have several concerns regarding the article on coroners. 

There is no mention of the part-time community coroners who conduct most of the investigations in this region. They are the backbone of the Coroners Service not only in this region but in the province. However they warrant no mention in this article.

Having been a coroner in this region prior to training as a funeral director and embalmer I find the references to “natural deaths” rather troubling. Natural deaths whether as a result of a known disease process or a sudden event can be as traumatic for family and should always be treated as such.

Comments such as “in and out in 45 minutes” or “not having to mentally prepare” take away  from the high professional standards which used to be commonplace within the Coroners Service.

Standing behind the body of a deceased individual in the morgue for a photo opportunity is not only unprofessional it is disrespectful to the the family of that individual.

Maureen Wint, Victoria