Reader fears damage mayor could do in rest of his term
Now that Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson has decided to pedal off into the sunset, maybe citizens of this beleaguered city can catch a break. Ever since Robertson and his Vision party became our rulers, he has been on a mission to turn Vancouver into some sort of theme park for the environmental and socially conscientious.
His disdain for the internal combustion engine is legendary. Millions of dollars have been spent frivolously on bike lanes and barriers to hinder traffic flow. The mayor pushes the “the greenest city” agenda on us while we are caught in a vortex of unaffordability.
Who cares about our shade of green when you can barely afford a garden shed in this town? Plus, Vancouver has turned into a enabling gateway city for drug use — we even have an opioid tax. All dopers are welcome. His lack of consultation, forced density and shelters in residential neighbourhoods and escalating annual property taxes are all negatives on his watch. The good news is Robertson is not going to run again. The bad news is that he still has 10 months to dig us into a deeper hole.
Barry Craig, Vancouver
Voters are to blame
Letter-writer Paul Frizell castigates the Fraser Institute for lauding the density changes in Vancouver.
Sorry, but the Vision party elected by Vancouver voters is responsible. If you voted for them, the blame is on you.
Cherryl Katnich, Maple Ridge
Beer sales would be charged
I can only imagine that if I had a stall selling beer in the Vancouver Art Gallery square, I would be arrested and fined immediately. And beer is legal!
These persons openly selling marijuana are selling an illegal substance, and the police do nothing. Imagine the problems ahead when it is legal!
Brian Barnes, Steveston
No way to treat an old guy
I am 76 and still work full-time job. I’m in my 61st year of having a steady job. I feel I have done my part not to be a drain on society.
I have also worked to stay healthy, having spent a lot more time in gyms instead of hospitals. As well, my wife and I have saved enough money so we won’t be a drain on society should I lose my job. I also paid unemployment insurance for 60 years, but only collected for one week.
How does the government reward a person like me? As soon as I turned 71, I was forced to withdraw money from my RRSP, money I don’t need now. Because of my income, most of the withdrawal goes to the taxman. Is that any way to treat an old guy like me?
Paul Voth, Tsawwassen
Missile accident alarming
It is alarming that on Jan. 13, a warning in Hawaii that a missile attack was imminent was an “accident.”
Apparently, someone pushed a wrong button.
How on Earth does someone alone, trained extensively, likely by the military, push a wrong button? Could this have caused other U.S. locations with missiles to push their buttons in retaliation?
We always assumed we didn’t need to worry, that pushing these buttons must go through certain levels of approval. Apparently, the nuclear missiles require the president of the United States to approve. That is even more concerning with the current leadership.
It’s time to worry about the buttons. It’s such a shame that our survival on Earth could depend on a button.
Rudy Pospisil, Burnaby