I have been an artist all my life. I have exhibited my work internationally in one-man exhibitions in the former Soviet Union, Scotland, Iraq, the U.S. and Canada. I’ve worked extremely hard to make this happen with no direct help from government.

I’ve heard the arguments from the people who splatter graffiti all over the city that they only paint on “public” walls and not on private property.

These vandals will never understand that every time they deface public property they are in effect stealing money directly from the food banks and the homeless. The city has to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars each year to remove the unwanted scribbles.

I will never understand why a reporter or our public institutions would give a voice to anyone who damages the property of others. It only encourages them because it gives an air of legitimacy to this violent act.

The other argument that one hears is that it is their right to self-expression. This is a sham as well. I’ve visited countries living in hell and war and I was always amazed at how real artists could always find a gentle way to express themselves and find a voice in their community.

Graffiti is the selfish and lazy man’s way of expression.

The public institutions that honour graffiti should also have their heads examined. They are the first to complain that government doesn’t support the arts. It is ironic that the city spends a fortune on the removal of the very stuff they are promoting as highly intellectual art.

The young man featured in your paper, Ben Westergreen, has a lot to think about.

Deryk Houston, Victoria

•••

Your cover story portrays Ben Westergreen as some kind of model citizen when in fact his vandalism has caused possibly thousands of dollars of damage to taxpayer property, countless hours of work by city employees and volunteers to clean up his attacks, and untold police resources to try and hold people like him accountable.

As pointed out in the article by Const. Valerie Spicer, the overwhelming majority of these individuals will become part of much worse criminal behaviour.

Ben Westergreen should be proud of his artistic ability, and the degree in visual arts he has achieved, but where’s the remorse? His pride in criminal behaviour is disgusting. 

While I would agree with the editor that it would be unethical to alter the interview to change the intent of the story, my question is: Why do it at all? Why give someone like him the attention he craves?

Graffiti vandals hit areas in plain view to get seen, this guy has hit the cover of a newspaper, congratulations.

Printing this story to evoke a response is to follow in the American style of journalism by sensationalizing a story.  Shame on him, and shame on you for the positive spin put on the article.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go clean some tagging off of my neighbourhood mailbox and sign posts, perhaps the article’s writer Lisa Weighton or Ben Westergreen would like to join me?

Ron LaRoy, Esquimalt

•••

We are all very grateful that at least one vandal has a strict code: no houses, churches or cars. Who does he think is paying for the clean up of dumpsters, mailboxes, bus shelters, park benches, traffic signs, et cetera? Any business faced with the constant cleanup of their property will eventually have to pass their costs on to their customers.

How comforting, too, that his university professors “pushed him to expand his graffiti style.” Maybe that explains why I see graffiti in so many places on campus whenever I have occasion to visit UVic.

As Troy De Souza stated in his letter: “The difference between art and vandalism is permission.” Period.

Peter Milis, Esquimalt

Petty politics has no place in Olympic Games

Re: MPs pass on Olympic tickets (News, Oct. 28)

Members of Parliament Denise Savoie and Keith Martin certainly have the right to express their principles. I question the timing and the intent.

The tickets have already been purchased. I suggest using them, because that is in the best interest of all Canadians.

Come April after the Games, Savoie and Martin can take up their crusade to voice objections to funding cuts and bashing the government, but try and put that aside for now, get behind the Games, or better yet, lead the charge.

We are here now. We can be part of the opportunity or part of what negatively impacts the success of this public investment, which is the Olympic Games.

William Perry, Victoria

Cellphone law redundant

Hands-free only for chatty drivers (Vicnews.com, Oct. 21)

As a professional driver, I agree that it can sometimes be distracting – even dangerous – to talk on a cellphone while operating a motor vehicle.

Does the B.C. government believe that by introducing this new expensive, intrusive, and hard-to-enforce legislation, that they can get people to focus on their driving and use common sense? I think not. Besides, this law will be redundant. What’s wrong with the one that is already on the books? Driving without due care and attention.

Ted Hill, Victoria

Health care cuts ‘boggles the mind’

Re: Critical Care (News, Oct. 21)

I live in James Bay and am a thankful patient of the James Bay Community Project. I have had exceptional health care there for the past decade, since moving back from Vancouver.

The thought of having to eliminate a well-trained nurse practitioner boggles the mind. It would not improve patient care – it would put many more demands on the other medical personnel and in that way, risk making the situation worse. It seems ridiculous to think that it would be a money-saver.

I hope the Vancouver Island Health Authority takes a good second look at the situation, and offers what funding is required to keep a well-managed, much-needed aspect of our health care, alive and functional.

Marlene E. Hunter, Victoria