VOICE OF THE PEOPLE

ENTITLED ELITE

Once again, some of our politicians think they are above everyone else. This attitude reared its ugly head yet again over the Christmas season when several of them left the country for various reasons, when we were all told to stay home.

To say that the rules were not clear is laughable. The ordinary citizen would be told that ignorance is no excuse, but obviously that rule doesn't apply to certain politicians and their warped sense of entitlement. The amount of harm that could come from their stupidity may be huge. We can only hope that damage is minimal.

Russ Oickle, Bridgewater

ABOVE-THE-LAW SYNDROME

Hypocrites! Those pompous politicians who left Canada for vacations or other reasons during the holidays suffer from “I am above the law” syndrome.

I hope, when they are up for reelection, that they feel the wrath of their respective constituents over this betrayal. What nerve to disregard the rules during this pandemic.

My wife and I have remained home since March 2020. Do these buffoons think they are better than us regular Canadians? I hope they regret their actions. But I don't think so, as these offenders seem to be politicians without feeling towards their fellow citizens. Shameful, disgusting behaviour. A pox on all their houses.

Edward Watt, Upper Tantallon

BETRAYAL OF TRUST

Bill Black's Jan. 2 column, “Rankin's policies tack far to the left of McNeil,” includes a brief but untenable statement about Owls Head Provincial Park. “Noting the significant level of local support, he (Iain Rankin) believes that an environmentally sensitive proposal for a golf resort at Owls Head could be approved.”

It's absurd to claim that an environmentally friendly golf course is possible in this location, as it would raze the biodiverse wetlands and rare plant ecosystems.

Moreover, Black and Rankin have both decidedly ignored the unprecedented betrayal of public trust, the absolute disregard for public consultation with Nova Scotians, and the dangerous precedent this sets for all of our green spaces.

Perceived “local support” cannot retroactively make secretly delisting a provincial park reserve OK. It's premature to presume the level of local support, as the government has still not conducted any consultations, locally or provincially.

Even if there were unanimous support across Nova Scotia (and there most certainly is not), it still wouldn't excuse our government for spending three years preparing to secretly delist Owls Head Provincial Park behind the backs of its own citizens. The truth is, our provincial government removed a provincial park reserve from a provincial protection plan. Delisting the property is, therefore, a provincial issue. The delisting and possible sale of this parkland — which many reasonably believed to be protected — has the power to set a dangerous precedent for our nature reserves, provincial park reserves, and wilderness areas. Certainly, that affects all Nova Scotians.

Lindsay Lee, Halifax

REFRESHING SERENDIPITY

I enjoyed reading John Demont's Jan. 5 column, “Finding wonder in unexpected places.” Whether bike-riding on the BLT Trail or walking in Shubie or Point Pleasant Park, especially at Christmas, I have “gazed with wonder” or had my heart warmed by what I've seen.

But I was a little dismayed a few days after Christmas to find my Point Pleasant Park tree denuded of decorations before New Year's. As John said, the unexpected “excites — refreshes.” But I am not deterred and will be back near Christmas in 2021 to make children and adults smile at the unexpected.

Rick Rivers, Halifax