Victoria’s blue bridge is a keeper

Ever play pick-up-sticks as a kid? Move just one stick at the wrong time, and the whole pile comes tumbling down. You lose.

Well, that’s what some people say about Victoria’s Johnson Street bridge, more fondly known as the iconic blue bridge. The underwater foundations are corroded, the rivet heads are popping and the paint is peeling. The sky is falling? Talk about Chicken Little!

This is the time of the year when car dealers say: 'Buy a new car.'

These promoters seem to be inciting others to add to the chorus: 'Don’t just fix it; build a new bridge.'

Maybe, instead, we ought to consider the value of holding on to this marvelous relic of the past. Like Beacon Hill Park, some things are better left just as they are. Renovate, refurbish, or restore, and they’ll last for ages to come. This is what we do to buildings, cars, boats, airplanes, and all kinds of things we love and want to keep enjoying.

Wouldn’t it be awful if the pyramids or the Taj Mahal had been knocked down to make way for other constructions? Think about it. There is another way. Look at the blue bridge as an artwork: The scale in its location is perfect; the articulation of its movements, the colour, perfect. That mass of its counter-weight, wow! This is a keeper.

The walks along the non-lift sides, perhaps, could be widened at intervals to allow strollers to sit, photograph or otherwise admire the views of the harbour while the bridge is tilting. The whistle or bell is part of the fun.

What’s all the rush, anyway? For those in a hurry, there is the Bay Street bridge, so close by.

There is lots of scope for our architects, engineers and planners to make improvements for the future. For example, they could look to improving the other bridge for the needs of high-speed transit and other users who just want to make quick time to make whatever improvements as deemed necessary.

Now is the time to hold back on this bridge proposal and make way for interested Victoria citizens to have their say. Maybe, just maybe, they’ll walk – not just drive over it – and think then about its importance to our wonderful harbour. Just as it is.

Redner Jones

Victoria

Time right for electric cars

Re: Time not right for electric cars (Opinion, June 10)

If there ever is a time in history where the time is right for electric cars, it is now.

Although I agree with the article that low-speed electric cars that do not meet passenger car safety standards should not be allowed on the road, the article leaves the reader with the impression that electric cars aren’t ready yet.

I disagree.

Tesla Motors has been selling fast, electric vehicles (or ZEV’s) that meet all passenger safety standards for over a year in the U.S., and is now selling to Canada, with delivery in the fourth quarter. They are fast becoming a leader in the new industry and their products should be encouraged for a better community, better world.

More economical electric vehicles are expected shortly, and many more fast, safe ZEV’s.

Electric cars are, in my opinion, a significant benefit to the world, good for the global environment, economy, and security. They should be encouraged for all the right reasons.

While the article did suggest to readers that electric vehicles will someday be a positive thing, it caters to the impression that all ZEV’s aren’t ready, which is just not true.

The article will only reinforce the critics of electric alternatives to fossil-fuel vehicles, and discredit the tremendous technology gains that have been made and are very close to being in our communities.

Your article left readers with the message that 'We’re just not there yet.'

Nonsense!

Your article leaves this reader with the impression that the Victoria News editorial staff just doesn’t get it, and may need to open their eyes a little further.

Dave Johnson

Victoria

Perfect spot for needle exchange: City Hall

With all the controversy over the location of the needle exchange, I think those trying to sort out the dilemma can’t see the forest for the trees.

The answer is quite simple. We have two buildings in the area where drugs are most prevalent that have been paid for by tax dollars and either would be an excellent location for this activity: the new CRD building or City Hall.

It is bureaucrats from both these locations that are trying to place the needle exchange near schools or next to stores trying to run successful business, hire employees and pay taxes which in turn go to support such projects as the needle exchange.

Doesn’t it make sense that CRD and City Hall bureaucrats stand up and shoulder some of the responsibility for their decisions? After all these are public buildings and should be used for activities such as this rather than just a depot for collecting taxes.

E. Beam

Saanich

Tire slasher’s fun mindless

An open letter to the tire slasher on Phelps Avenue:

Remember the first time you got your first set of wheels, perhaps a scooter, a bike, your own car – remember the independence you felt?

Well, you have just taken that away from our 18-year-old granddaughter, and instilled in its place a sense of despair. A teenager who saved up and worked two jobs just to get the car of her dreams.

By slashing her tires you prevented her working today, and possibly losing her job as she can’t afford the $300 deductible to replace the tires. You’re probably snickering away in either a drink and drug-related stupor, as no rational thinking person would deliberately inflict pain on a total stranger.

Remember though, what goes around comes around. One day you too may need your transport to help a loved one, to react in an emergency, or merely to earn a crust, and some mindless individual will have five seconds of 'fun' slashing away.

Sylvia James

Langford