Letters Turncoat MP should resign

Soon after Joe Peschisolido’s stunning parachute dive from Toronto into Richmond’s political circles less than two years ago, he sat in my home and used his dramatic theatrical talents to attempt to reassure me that he was, contrary to my suspicions at the time, a true small “C” conservative.

I do credit him with proving, since he was elected, that he is willing to work hard in the community in order to improve his chances of getting re-elected. I would expect nothing less from a political opportunist of Mr. Peschisolido’s caliber.

In reaction to his recent move back to the Liberals, from where he originally pretended to migrate, I can only quote the Reverend Jesse Jackson who said “It doesn’t matter whether you’re riding an elephant or a jackass if you’re going in the wrong direction.”

Mr. Peschisolido owes it to the people of Richmond to immediately resign his seat and seek re-election now, as a turncoat.

What colour was that parachute?

Re: MP’s defection to the Liberals

Seeing as he was parachuted in just for the election, the obvious question would be, at this time, and considering his lack of dedication to his party and the people who elected him, as we did not elect a Liberal, “what colour is your parachute Joe?”

Your cartoonist could have a ball in a black and white format newspaper.

Turncoat Joe’s defection invokes wrath of readers

Dear Joe Peschisolido: I was going through some Canadian Alliance files tonight and came across our fall 2001 Newsletter. I thought you would enjoy these quotes from your MP letter to fellow members:

“My summer visits with you have clearly indicated your desire that we give Canadians a principled, viable alternative to Liberal misrule...

“In September, Parliament will reconvene and I will redouble my efforts to hold the Liberals to account. All summer we have seen the Liberal government mishandle everything from softwood lumber, leaky condos, urban transit support, health care, and the federal surplus.

“As the Official Opposition Critic for HRDC I will be able to expose Liberal mismanagement while proposing real solutions such as to ensure that our pension system does not go bankrupt. I have proposed a private members bill entitled: Taxpayers Bill of Rights.”

“I welcome your feedback on how I can better serve the people of Richmond and Canada.”

Did your feedback give you the opinion that Richmond voters would like you to rejoin your old Liberal Party? I would think not.

I certainly hope, Joe, that while you and our friendly dictator, Papa Jean, were having gin and orange juice the other evening, that before your defection, you raised all of the above points and got a firm commitment in writing from Papa Jean, that he would immediately act on your rather lengthy shopping list of concerns about his government. Or perhaps in the euphoria of the moment, did you overlook this?

In a way I feel sorry for you. I have seen your type many times before and ultimately, they all fail.

Douglas Day

Past President

Canadian Alliance Richmond

Editor:

Sleep well Joe and enjoy your 30 pieces of silver, although in your case, I guess you received a lot more to betray your constituents.

Adah Campbell

Richmond

Editor:

Turncoat MP Joe Peschisolido’s defection to the corrupt Liberals is an example of the worst of Canadian politics.

The electorate of Richmond rid themselves of a Liberal Party member is favour of an Alliance member. Now, thanks to Peschisolido’s cowardly action, Richmond is back where it started, at the bottom of the barrel.

Perhaps it is time to seriously consider alternative plan of action. If and when politician defects, then a byelection ought to be called. In order to ensure that the electorate of the riding is not burdened with the cost of byelection, the full cost should be borne by the defector. One suspects that people like Peschisolido would think twice about crossing the floor and would remain true to their political ideology; the same ideology that brought them success at the polls.

Now, Peschisolido can throw away his oft-quoted comment, “I don’t need to say, ‘Yes, prime minister.’ I can work for my constituents.” Clearly, he has forsaken his constituents in favour of the prime minister. Today, Richmond’s MP can shout, “Yes, prime minister,” as he kisses his master but not on his hand.

Teaching about goodwill

I am a teacher and coach who has volunteered my lunch, after school and many evenings and weekends for the benefit of students. I have coached and sponsored over 50 athletic seasons. I have sponsored clubs during lunch and after school, and provided a wide variety of extra-help opportunities to students so that they can get the help they need in math and science.

Why?

This is a question being heard across the province amongst teachers. Why do this extra work if we’re not being respected and valued for these efforts? Most educators volunteer because they believe the future of our society is in these students. I don’t coach hoping to be there for the next Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods or Olympic hopeful. I offer my time because each student can contribute to a better society when they are educated well. They can be instilled with attitudes and values that look beyond themselves and to the community and world as a whole. I coach because these values and confidences were instilled in me by my coaches and mentors and I want to give back.

Will I do it well if I'm forced to do it?

We need teachers to care about students. We need people to care about teachers.

I urge everyone to value and protect the classrooms of this province. Our future is found in them.

Not just a fight between teachers and goverment

How easy is it to forget that teacher who inspired us to reach for our dreams? Apparently too easy for the current government which has managed to take away teachers’ rights to bargain and greatly misinformed the public on the issues.

To say this situation is between the employers, who hold the public trust, and a teachers union is a ruse. Who are the people working with, for and beside the students day after day, with dedication so palpable that when this care and nurturing has been partly withdrawn by stopping extra-curricular activities, students feel the pain?

Personally, like many teachers, my work is a calling, which I intend to continue to do to my utmost. Now I am emboldened to fight for the right to protest, the right to be recognized and not to be maligned by a government adept at pretending they serve the public good.

Cambie bus route needed

We need a Cambie Street B-line bus service.

We are presently carrying thousands of passengers (who are leaving their cars at home) down Granville Street and into downtown Vancouver every day of the week. We could be carrying thousands more if we had a B-line bus service from Richmond Centre, Cook, Garden City, Oak Street Bridge, Marine Drive, Cambie Street, Cambie Bridge, and turning around at Waterfront Station.

I would suspect that thousands of the passengers that we are presently carrying along Granville Street would just love to take a faster bus along Cambie Street, which would get them in walking distance of all the hospitals, Langara College, Vancouver City Hall, BC Place, the Vancouver Public Library and the downtown stores. The University of B.C. has a direct bus from Richmond Centre to U.B.C. but we do not have a direct bus from Richmond Centre to the east side of Vancouver where many of our passengers are heading.

For a great many of our passengers the “dipsey doodle” around Airport Station is a complete waste of their time and will not encourage more people to take transit. However, a fast express bus from Richmond Centre into the downtown core of Vancouver would. The infrastructure is already in place, we have the buses and the man(woman)power, and we have the ability.

All we need now is some leadership.