VOICE OF THE PEOPLE REASSURING PRESENCE

HOSTILITY, NOT HOSPITALITY

I am writing to express my indignation at an act of vandalism. Recently, my wife and I were paid a visit by relatives who are Ontario residents. I provided parking for their vehicle in my outdoor parking space next to my condo building.

A few days later, my guests noticed scratches on both right-side doors of their vehicle. Someone had “keyed” their SUV, apparently because they have an Ontario licence plate! To add insult to injury (as the cliché goes), the plate is a veteran’s plate. I have parked my own vehicle there for years and it has never been vandalized. This damage will cost my brother-in-law $500, his insurance deductible amount.

This is shameful and misguided behaviour. This couple came to Nova Scotia in good faith. They completed their 14-day self-isolation and complied with all other requirements specified in the provincial Emergency Act. We are very disappointed that this sort of thing could happen in Nova Scotia, where we pride ourselves on our hospitality. Or at least, we used to.

Wayne Grennan, Halifax

HIGH-RISE CLUSTER

HRM is currently considering a proposal for a 23-storey building at 2032-50 Robie Street, which will be right between the Welsford and the high-rise about to be built on the corner of Quinpool.

If this project goes ahead, that entire block from Quinpool Road to Welsford Street will be high-rises. The Common will be deprived of afternoon sun, wind patterns will affect any recreational activities, and increased traffic will diminish the public’s enjoyment of the little bit of green space still existing in the city centre. At the other end of the Common, another high-rise on Robie between Cunard and Compton will have the same adverse effects.

Years ago, an acquaintance told me she had a vision of the Common ringed all around by high-rises. Progress, she said. I was appalled then, that anyone could wish for such a thing. I am appalled now, as it seems her wish is coming true.

I don’t think the true value of the Common is understood by the people making these decisions. There are many people living on the peninsula, like me, who grew up swimming, playing, and even boating on the Common. And very many of us have no vehicle to get out of the city. Amateur sports teams have long used the Common as a lowcost venue. This green space is an invaluable asset to the citizens of the peninsula.

Please express your opinion to your councillor, as there will be no formal public consultations.

Janet Brush, Halifax

OTTAWA FUMBLES BALL

In your Jan. 8 editorial, you put the blame for the slow rollout of vaccines completely on the provinces while ignoring the federal government’s responsibility for procurement and distribution.

Ottawa has been nothing short of incompetent and derelict in its handling of that task to date. It managed to obtain early delivery of a token supply before Christmas in a clear attempt to blunt the criticism over its abysmal handling of vaccines — a failed partnership with China that was mind-boggling from the start and, in the end, no made-in-canada solution.

The number of vaccines distributed to the provinces to date is miniscule in the big picture. If they are prudent, provinces will hold back exactly 50 per cent of any vaccines received to administer the second dose as is medically required, because no one knows when the next batch will be received from the feds.

In the same edition, you managed to set aside no less than a half page on A4 for a feel-good story on Liberal spending, recounting a “cool” online Boys and Girls Club meeting with the prime minister. Propaganda trumps journalism?

Ryan Millar, Dartmouth At the risk of sounding slightly maudlin, I wish to compliment Premier Stephen Mcneil and Dr. Robert Strang for their updates. I always feel a little better after listening to them.

Chris Lenahan, West Clifford

HIERARCHY OF HAZARD

The most important workers in the province, in order, are as follows: elected MLAS, government workers (Access Nova Scotia, etc.), hospital staff/seniors’ homes, nearly all other workers (retail/food) and teachers/ staff working in schools.

Why, you may ask? Comrade Mcneil made it perfectly clear recently that it was too dangerous, and would break public health protocols, to have had an in-person sitting of the legislature. Yet I enter my classroom every day, meeting 31 masked students — and some days three other adults — all less than six feet from each other. But we can break those health protocols and be safe, of course (see list).

Comrade Mcneil hides behind the COVID struggle quite well — so much so that most of us, apparently, don’t care that much, other than a few Chronicle Herald reporters.

I can’t take away from his leadership skills during the early days of COVID, but then it became downright authoritarianism (see list).

I saw members of New Brunswick’s legislature performing a Christmas tradition in person on the news recently, fully masked and enjoying the tradition. I guess they are just plain crazy for meeting in their assembly. Comrade Mcneil can’t even hold a virtual legislative session.

Back to the list. Why is it in this order? The first on the list: see explanation above. The second: government workers limit how many enter the building (Access Nova Scotia) or work from home. The courts rent spaces at hotels to maintain the six-foot rule (how fortunate they are!) Hospitals, etc., can control their contact with others and how many people enter their workspace. Food establishments limit seating and other stores limit how many can enter.

I heard 50 as a limit in a grocery store; add the other 20-30 workers, and 80 sounds like a lot of people — far too many for Comrade McNeil’s job, but not too many for my job: approximately 850 every day at school.

By the way, I also hear many (all?) staff at the Department of Education are working from home — as are many others in the education system — not in a school. How nice for them.

So let’s not pretend Mcneil’s halting of democracy is about safety or even COVID-19; it’s about his iron grasp on ruling and “do as I say” without a word of opposition — COVID is just an easy excuse.

Finally, of course, I believe all workers are equal. But when I look at the list, I feel otherwise.

John Jennings, Three Brooks

ARMCHAIR RCMP CRITICS

I’ve been reading and hearing a lot about what our resident couch potatoes — I’m being as politically correct as possible — are saying about the RCMP’S actions or inactions.

These people do understand that the RCMP are hiring. Perhaps the critics can join the force to correct what they consider wrong. Saying that the RCMP should have done things according to what public opinion believes is not helpful. Put yourself in their shoes to see the big picture.

Be the solution, not the problem. Glen Goodall, South Farmington