Private donors are doing government’s work
Re: “Victoria Hospitals Foundation campaign reaches $11M for imaging equipment,” July 30.
My how wonderful for the provincial government that volunteer donors have filled the financial need of funding the essential equipment requirements for our hospitals.
This “offloading” and disregard by the government has festered for years and years and is absolutely shameful. So today the least the premier and health minister must do is give a huge “thank you” to the foundation and the donors for such generosity and at the same time apologize to the citizens of ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ for not fulfilling their responsibility.
Stanley Brygadyr
Saanich
Additional lanes linking Helmcken, McKenzie
Spending $95 million for bus lanes is a great idea, especially the light rail inclusion.
Did I miss the inclusion of adding additional vehicle lanes in both directions, connecting Helmcken to McKenzie? That bottleneck is the cause of brutal congestion (only going to get worse) and seems like a glaring omission from the McKenzie overpass construction.
Please, someone in the know, enlighten us to the reason behind this omission.
Ryan Armstrong
Victoria
Slow response to spill in Cecelia Creek
Re: “City looking into allegations that polluted water ended up in creek that leads to Gorge,” July 17.
I was shocked to see the story about the illegal dumping of chemicals into Cecelia Creek. I saw this in January and reported it on a Sunday. I took photos and sent them to them.
They took my information and said that they would get back to me the next day. About a week later I called back because I hadn’t heard from them. Basically, we had to start from scratch as there was no record of the report.
I did it again and sent them the pictures.
About a week later, this time they asked me for a reporting file number.
I explain that I haven’t been given one, again they took my info, for the third time, and did not get back to me. At this point it was mid-March.
The fact that this is still going on is a massive joke. I was reporting this in the winter. How can the response be so slow?
James Nadeau
Esquimalt
No problem with filling prescriptions
I, too, need regular medications. My pharmacy automatically fills my prescription, which was directed by my doctor. When there is a question, the pharmacy phones my doctor.
When I need a refill on a specific prescription, I just phone the pharmacy and the next day I pick it up.
I have none of the issues your July 19 letter writer complains about.
Cliff Boldt
Fernwood
Inner Harbour needs a new show boat
From 1935 to 1953 there was a show boat stage in the Inner Harbour at the Welcome to Victoria flower bed.
In 2015, I worked with Esquimalt and Songhees nations and the provincial government to present the idea of the Lekwungen show boat in the Inner Harbour.
We even approached the Victoria Symphony on the idea of a permanent performance stage for them, replacing the barge idea.
They wrote a letter of support.
The overall project, in 2015, with a letter of support from minister John Rustad, letters of support from the symphony, and many others was an exciting way to bring a large stage capable of First Nation focused performances, honouring the traditional territories, giving them a possible revenue generator, while also giving a stage large enough for the entire symphony.
The original cost estimates including large outdoor screens for the lawn of the Legislature, lighting and sound, and stage were about $3 million including bleacher seating.
The project stalled at the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority at the time, and with the changing government, we did not have time to continue.
This is the time for the City of Victoria to revisit this great idea, partnering with the Songhees and Esquimalt nations, and effect true reconciliation through something that benefits the nations, and also provides a much needed and timeless return to our Inner Harbour.
Derek Sanderson
Victoria
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