Concrete columns for brains?

I prefer street level rapid transit over elevated in Richmond (or anywhere else, for that matter).

I can't believe a "survey" was taken showing elevated was preferred.

The architects who say they have ways of making a concrete column "3/4sthetically pleasing" obviously concrete columns for brains.

Please don't insult the public's intelligence. The worst mistake made was to put elevated transit in the Lower Mainland. It's ugly.

Lead or get out of the way

To the anti-war pacifists demonstrating against the Iraq war: Agreed, war is terrible and is to be avoided.

But, terror and tyranny practiced on Saddam Hussein's scale is worse. Your demonstrations supporting the continuation of such tyranny were pathetic.

To all Canadian personnel serving in the Gulf area: Forgive your prime minister for having placed you in an untenable position with the coalition-of-the-willing. He knows not what he does.

To all coalition forces in the Gulf area: Thank you, you "magnificent bastards" (with apologies to Gen. George Patton for stealing his line).

To our prime minister: Lead, follow, or get out of the way...please!

Pay raise not worth it

I think it is outrageous to pay George Duncan $207,000 per annum plus all the perks when our taxes are being raised every year.

I'm sure if the city managers of all the surrounding cities would have applied for the job if they had known how much Richmond was willing to pay a city manager.

Liberals have misplaced priorities

I'm so tired of Gordon Campbell and his Liberals referring to me as "special interest" just because I'm a union member.

Small business owners are a special interest group. Big business owners are a special interest group. Environmentalists are special interest. Gordon Campbell himself is a member of several special interest groups, and, like Mr. Campbell, I too, am many things.

I am a devoted spouse and parent, a proud civil servant, an involved community member and an informed voter. I personally resent the Liberals for choosing to spend my tax dollars to attack me. I suggest the Liberals take their million dollar union-bashing budget and put it into health care, education, child care or any

of the hundred other places it would have a positive effect on the lives of B.C. taxpayers.

The Liberal policies are destroying the quality of life for people throughout this province.

When the Liberals first took power they assured us that the massive tax cuts would "pay for themselves." Anyone bringing home a paycheque knows that hasn't happened. The additional costs we're incurring mean most of us are actually bringing home less, and, unlike the Liberals, we can't just vote ourselves a healthy wage increase.

Taxpayers are frustrated with the Liberals (both provincial and federal) constantly increasing taxes and fees to fund projects that are not a priority for us. As more and more "core" services go the way of "user pay," our "disposable" income continues to shrink and the bridge between the haves and the have nots continuing to widen.

I was under the impression every democracy was already a user pay" system. We pay our taxes and the government provides the service. What was I thinking?

Community builders

The Richmond Poverty Response Committee would like to take the opportunity to recognize the Outreach Committee and Gilmore Park United Church for its generous contribution to the community of Richmond.

The contributions were:

$4,000 to the Richmond School Board for a hot meal program for feeding youthâ in the school system to be designated to areas with the greatest need;

$5,000 for general operating funds for Nova Transition House for women and children fleeing from abusive domestic situations;

$5,000 for furnishings for the operation of Nova Transition House.

The group's benevolence shows an exceptional example of how community groups can come forward to help eliminate hunger, provide shelter and take initiatives to help alleviate issues associated with poverty within Richmond.

The Poverty Response Committee is a community based organization focused on housing, advocacy, families and food security initiatives and year around recreation and gift giving initiatives to meet the needs of those affected by poverty in our community.

As such, Gilmore Park United Church is to be commended for its generosity within the community of Richmond.

Bush leagues

U.S. president George Bush is not going to attend a meeting with Prime Minister Jean ChrŽtien in Canada because we didn't support him in invading Iraq. Sounds a lot like the rich kid who doesn't get his way, so he takes his bat and ball and goes home.

The Bush/Republicans have imposed phoney tariffs on Canadian products such as softwood lumber, steel, etc. and have subsidized U.S. agricultural companies (against NAFTA) to the tune of half-a-billion dollars over the next few years. There are apparently about 70 disputes going to the world court, because of Bush bullying tactics.

Canada is the largest trading partner of the United States (although in Bush's arrogance or ignorance, he doesn't seem to know this) and is the U.S.'s largest supplier of gas and oil.

Canada should either add an equivalent tariff to gas and oil or stop selling to the U.S. Maybe then Bush would show Canada some respect. No, that is wrong. Bush's solution would be to send in the troops.

Does the genius know where all the planes headed for the U.S. landed on September 11thand

who looked after the thousands of passengers? Canada.

When there is any disaster (floods, storms, forest fires.etc.) in the U.S., especially in the Northern States who are the first ones to send assistance? Canada.

The list goes on and on, but Bush is destroying the great relationship between the two countries.

Transit with a view

Re: "Councillors pleased with support for transit link," Richmond Review, April 10.

I have concerns about the debate on which the rapid transit system should be built down No. 3 Road and the debate between street level or elevated (SkyTrain) systems. The latter is the system of choice in operation throughout Vancouver, Burnaby and New Westminster.

Not much has been talked about the high accident/collision incidents for a street level systemCalgary's dirty little secret.

I cringe at the thought of the possibility of a street level train speeding down the middle of a congested No. 3 Road. What about jaywalkers, or drivers that mistakenly drive the wrong way through buses-only designated centre lanes down No. 3, which I have personally witnessed on more than one occasion. A disaster waiting to happen.

I rather like the idea of elevated rail; because of Richmond's flat topography, I would be able to travel above it all, my view and progress unimpeded. The vistas would be just spectacular.

I have no doubt that pillar objections can be addressed by making the superstructure more palatable. A rapid transit system for Richmond is long overduegridlock and pollution must be stopped in their tracks now.

Medallion madness

I am writing to express my anger at the way the Vancouver Sun is handling the distribution and sale of their on-going Canucks Medallion promotion.

There are nowhere close to enough to go around and it's the kids that are paying the price for the greed of adults out to make a buck.

I was told by customer service that they only possible way for me to acquire the medallions for my son was to get to them before 8 a.m. Obviously, that's not a possibility with just myself and two children to get ready for school every morning.

They do offer the generous option of purchasing them at the Vancouver Sun office, but only between 10 and 11 a.m. So people like me who actually work for a living are again unable to purchase them.

Try racing for real

The Lower Mainland is facing a crisis.

Teens are trying to show off with their cars, and are killing themselves and others around them.

We can blame the parents, and maybe they should share some blame, but since when have parents had any real control over headstrong teens?

We can blame the parents for supplying these kids with high powered cars; however the truth is, any car can reach speeds in excess of 100 kilometres in a half mile.

Graduated licences are not an ideal solution. No real restrictions are placed on a "novice" licence holder, and they can renew novice licences indefinitely without having to take the $100 upgrade test.

Knowledge is power, and maybe even survival. If your son or daughter is interested in racing or you want them to learn to handle a car with more skill, this city has many different types of racing organizations.

Encourage your children to join a legitimate racing club, like you would encourage them to join baseball or drama. When some other kid decides they want to race on the streetwell the one with the race licence isn't going to be interested in it, because their is no real competition in street racing, and in the end no trophy was won and no fun was had.

We are going to have to start somewhere, this seems like a good place to me.

For more information on local race organizations go to www.caccautosport.org or www.missionraceway.com.

Cultural harmony

Richmond Multicultural Concerns Society had an excellent fundraiser dinner on Friday, April 4.

A diverse audience of 300 community leaders, activists and interested citizens graced the occasion. The guests included Richmond MP Joe Peschisolido, Richmond East MLA Linda Reid, Mayor Malcolm Brodie, Coun. Linda Barnes, Richmond school board chair Annie McKitrick, deputy police chief Tony Mahon and a number of other prominent community leaders.

Mayor Brodie in his keynote impressive address, traced the history of multiculturalism in this community. He recognized the contribution of a number of organizations and individuals who have been working hard in creating intercultural harmony. He emphasized that Richmond is the most multicultural community in Canada and a model of multiculturalism to others. This is a matter of great pride for the citizens of Richmond.

The evening was interspersed with a number of door prizes, raffle draws and a silent auction. It concluded with a truly international entertainment.

The entertainers included dancers from Lorita Leung Dance School, Polish Dance Group, Centro Flamingo Dancers and Croatian Folk Dancers. All of these groups did an excellent job in entertaining the audience.

Oh behalf of the Richmond Multicultural Concerns Society, I would like to express my sincere thanks and appreciation to all of the sponsors, supporters, participants and the media in making the 12th Annual fundraising dinner a great success.