Vision’s politicized staff must go
It is clear that the Vision council expects city staff to further their goals in spite of obvious shortcomings that any true professional would not endorse.
The independence of staff has been corrupted and the few councillors who are not Vision disciples appear powerless to get the competent advice that council should seek.
From bike routes to development policies, staff have been directed to carry out Vision policy, not exercise prudent stewardship and financially sound management that would create a Vancouver that all citizens would support.
These senior staff have created a situation whereby when the makeup of council politically changes, as it eventually will, their continued employment will be impossible.
The civil service in Canada has a long history of independence and has earned the respect of voters no matter how badly the politicians screwed up. Only a clean sweep of Vancouver city hall will permit a long awaited return to good governance by employees that taxpayers pay to use their expertise, not mindlessly adhere to their political bosses.
Rick Angus, Vancouver
Buy trees from charities
It’s 19 days until Christmas and most of us have a Christmas tree purchase on our “to do” list.
Before you head off to the local big-box store to buy your tree, remember that there are a number of local non-profit groups selling trees to raise funds for their activities in your community.
Groups such as the cubs and scouts, Lions Club, local sports teams and other community organizations count on the annual sales revenue from Christmas trees to fund their many projects and activities.
If you purchase a tree from these groups, you are making a donation to them and your community — plus you get a great Christmas tree for your effort!
Have a Merry Christmas!
David Jones, West Vancouver
Keep that job
If you plan on staying at a job long-term, think of things this way:
The next time your company goes through a low period, you don’t want company executives to remember your face for the wrong reasons when the topic of trimming staff comes up!
Greg Needoba, Port Moody
Why is Dix still the leader?
While I agree with NDP leader Adrian Dix that the Senate should be abolished, I can’t help but think why he is still speaking for the NDP. The incompetence of this party just blows my mind. They had Carole James as leader and they never listened to the voters that said they wouldn’t vote for her and she lost the election to Campbell.
Campbell gets chased from office and Christy Clark took over. Fast forward to the next election, where it looked like the Liberals didn’t stand a chance, and the NDP didn’t listen again to voters who said they wouldn’t vote for Dix due to his shady past.
The blowout turned into a Liberal win and now instead of picking a new leader they still got Dix. The level of incompetence of this party will not get them elected anytime soon even though Clark gives voters reason to want change.
Shawn Storey, Surrey
Just put beer in the regular aisles
I am all for liquor in grocery and corner stores.
But to have a separate area grocery stores makes no sense. How is that convenient when I have grocery bags and a toddler in tow? Let me throw my six-pack in the cart with the rest of my grocery purchases. Gees, what a typical, half-baked, made-in-B.C. solution.
When the public expressed their desire to see liquor sales in grocery stores, they certainly didn’t mean this proposed set up. Most like me meant that we wanted beer and wine in an actual aisle in the store itself, not in a quarantined bunker in the store.
The argument for this set up to keep booze from kids is useless. Parents who drink are making it more accessible and visible at home anyhow.
Jim Sandberg, Tsawwassen
Reform needed
I have been watching with alarm as our democratic institutions have been steadily going down under Stephen Harper’s government: secrecy in decision making; muzzling of scientists; gutting of environmental protection and research; promotion of multinational corporations and trade over the health, safety, and well being of Canadian citizens, jobs, and our environment much more.
I am encouraged today. Now, at last, someone, Conservative MP Michael Chong, has tabled a bill that would shift the balance of power. I want to express my gratitude to him and my fervent hope that many MPs from across the political spectrum will come on board and pass this bill.
The Reform Act won’t fix everything, but it would make sure our MPs can speak more freely without fear of retribution from prime ministers or party leaders.
It would give MPs the power to remove party leaders and allow MPs, not leaders, to decide whether a given MP should be permitted to sit in their caucus.
Jill Schroder, Vancouver
The editorial pages editor is Gordon Clark, who can be reached at gclark@theprovince.com. Letters to the editor can be sent to provletters@theprovince.com.
