Back to school

As we head into this Labour Day weekend thousands of children are getting ready to go back to school on Tuesday, Sept. 7.

On this, their last weekend of summer vacation, they are out shopping for new clothes and school supplies.

On Tuesday morning the school doors will open and the students will make their way to school-by car, by bike and on foot. As you make your way to work this next week, give your self a little extra time to allow for heavier traffic, respect the reduced speed limits in school zones and watch out for those bicyclists and pedestrians.

A new motto

It is time to change Richmond's rather puerile motto, "Richmond, Island City, By Nature." May I suggest, "Richmond, Home Of The Burnaby Olympic Speed skating Oval."

Don Dunfee

Richmond

Give the airport a break

Re: "Oval development plane perplexing," Richmond Review, Aug. 26.

Richmond has probably the most unique geographical site for one of the world's leading international airports-virtually downtown-and city hall keeps tinkering with its viability. The hugest employer, the biggest taxpayer-give them a break!

To ameliorate noise by covenant is utter dereliction of duty and care. To read how city hall would keep the kids indoors, or insulate more, or whatever-why can't we just stay out of their footprint? There is a zillion compatible uses for airport proximity (why did Avcorp have to move to Burns Bog?). Why can't city hall abide with universal standards for quiet enjoyment of a home?

It is patently apparent that the crunch is on for cash-but let's not kill the goose.

Vote 'em out

In a straw poll, we found not one person impressed nor in favour of the Richmond oval.

Many of us believe council has left behind the concept of being caretakers of Richmond's properties and holdings and have embraced trying to invest these things into some kind of financial return. The money is not theirs to gamble with.

The city has done the same type of thinking for rapid transit from Vancouver to the International Airport and never once considered the public, especially that segment of the public that uses transit. They time and again spoke out against the idiocy.

Harold Steves, a long-time alderman and in the past a voice of reason, comes out with something as completely and utterly silly as suggesting children stay inside more rather than suffer the noises from aircraft. What else can be said about that statement?

I do hope the public remembers the names of the city council, which has done as poor a job at looking after our city as could possibly be done.

Don't reroute River Road

If the idea is to build the oval and get rid of River Road the idea is a non-starter.

River Road is an integral part of the infrastructure of Richmond and is vital to the growing transportation needs of the city.

River Road is such an important route it needs to be doubled in size to meet the current and future traffic load requirements. Removal is not an option.

While Surrey's mayor is pushing for the creation of a perimeter road as being a vital traffic improvement, Richmond is about to destroy a jewel of a road that most communities would envy.

In addition, the plan to have an access road connecting to No. 2 Road is just as mind-boggling. Is the idea to have a light controlled intersection on No. 2 Road 100 metres from the controlled intersection at Westminster Highway? These two ideas combined will create such traffic congestion that it will make No. 3 Road look like a freeway.

With this current design, it is clear that the councillors and managers of Richmond are out of touch with realities of the city. Is there any doubt why No. 3 Road and the Steveston Highway at Ironwood mall are such a mess. Richmond cannot afford to allow this group to create another traffic management fiasco as has occurred on these two sites and many others.

A suggestion to the Olympic committee, if this is the oval plan, hold off on putting the spade in the ground because the new council after next November's election will surely put a stop to the idea of getting rid of River Road.

The things we shouldn't say

"Mr. Mair, please meet Mrs. Trilling."

Mr. Mair's paean to "visceral prejudice" (Aug. 19) calls for old fashioned lessons in polite society, in spite of all the PC that's around today.

I call upon no less than the late, beloved American critic, Diana Trilling. Mrs. Trilling, as she was famously known, reminded us of things we are simply not supposed to say, if we are brought up correctly.

She used the example of the "reptilian" face of Scarsdale diet-doctor, Herman Tarnower (shot by his mistress, Mrs. Harris, in that sensational case from the early '80s). Lack of sympathy for Tarnower was very much a reaction to his looks, something we are counselled against as children, Mrs. Trilling noted.

To be sure, President Bush brings out the delinquent in his critics. Mr. Mair harks back to Tom Brown. Then he fast forwards to Michael Moore, who entitled one of his books, Stupid White Men, again in spite of all the PC around us.

Mair following Moore sees a "zombie" in Bush's initial 9/11 reaction. In fact, we were all struck dumb by the diabolical act of that day. And what do you think critics would have called the Man from Texas if his first reaction had been to swear and swagger in front of those school kids? Who's kidding whom here?

That doesn't stop Mair and Moore from making fun of Bush's "fractured syntax."

Mrs. Trilling would remind the juveniles that it is not proper form to laugh at disabilities. And again, what do you think the left-lib would call a wealthy man who ridiculed a poor man's hunchback? The hypocrisy is unspeakable.

I pity thee, Mr. Mair,

Thine lack of love is beyond compare.

Richmondites were not asked about oval

When were we, as Richmondites asked, or for that matter even notified that Richmond was in the running as a site for an Olympic sport?

When any other area of Richmond is being considered by builders to undergo rezoning, they must post their intentions and Richmond residents must be allowed input before city permits are issued.

I believe it's time the residents of Richmond start a petition against or possibly stage a public protest in front of Mayor Malcolm Brodie's office. How does one impeach a government on the municipal level?

When North Americans are so concerned about the safety and security of its citizens, an Olympic arena certainly makes us vulnerable.

Not only are Richmond residents losing a beautiful and calm drive, avoiding the busier routes of Richmond, I'm wondering why do we need a "scenic" site for a skating rink? Will we next be putting public transit all along River Road?

It has been implied this rink will not come out of Richmond coffers. Give me a break! When has the government ever been on budget?

Overruns will definitely come out of our tax base. The money slated to pay Richmond's portion of this facility is to come from casino taxes, but don't forget, this same money could have been put to better use for Richmond residents. Now it's gone!

I've been wondering why Richmond residents have to pay taxes at all when nary an open parking space is to be found at the new River Rock Casino, and one must take a number just to have a chance to gamble. We should be like Vegas and have casino revenues cover a large portion of our taxes now that we have the "gambling element" in our midst. But what's really important in all of this is a brass plaque, Mr. Brodie's legacy.

People and wildlife don't mix

Editor:

My wife and I and our dog along with several two legged neighbours are frequent users of the dike around Terra Nova. My wife and I take exception to the anti off-leash agenda that Coun. Sue Halsey-Brandt and Coun. Harold Steves have advocated. The arguments you use is the wide variety of wildlife present in this natural wildlife area and the proximity of children and dogs infringing on homeowners back yards.

You have forgotten or neglected to mention the devastation caused by parked cars, low flying float planes, transport aircraft on takeoff and approach to YVR International but most of all, the worst offender, people. Using your logic, we should ban people not just dogs from this sensitive, natural area.

I have witnessed people chasing snow geese in order to take their picture. These migratory birds were only guilty of landing in the green area along River Road just before west dyke or in the fields just east of the dyke itself. We were walking our dog; at no time did our dog ever chase these birds.

Every day that we walk along the dike we are assaulted by litter. Burger King and McDonald's wrappings and tons of cigarette butts are piled high daily. We have approached and questioned city workers who admitted that they are disgusted and have to clean up this litter daily. This all takes place within a few feet of garbage cans.

The west end of Westminster Highway where it meets the dyke is a very popular place to litter. We are constantly picking up other peoples litter and depositing it in the garbage cans.

Cigarette smokers are the worst. I have personally stamped out a small grass fire caused by a carelessly thrown cigarette. How the city did not have a lot more fires this dry year is a lucky thing.

The cats that inhabit the ever encroaching housing along the nature park are loose and unlicensed causing untold victims in the bird population in the preserve. Would you consider a ban on cats in the park land as well? I would carry on with lots more examples but I believe I have made my point.

The councillor's view not to provide an off-leash area in the Terra Nova parkland is myopic at best. Council has chosen to single out dogs as the culprit when it is a far more sinister being that is the root of the problem: People.

If that logic stands, ban people. That is a far greater threat to the Park lands than dogs.

Since council will not and cannot ban people please reconsider your aim. There should be an off-leash area in the Terra Nova park lands. Responsible people and their pets should be afforded the opportunity to enjoy the park. An ideal place for such a park is the old homestead at the west end of Westminster Highway and the dyke. It has fenced pasture and ample running space away from the walkers, bikers and children on the dike.

I would even be pleased if council took up the excellent method used by Greater Vancouver and West Vancouver by using a time you can have off-leash, i.e. from 9 a.m. to noon and then from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Friday, off peak usage times. Why be so inflexible in your approach to people's enjoyment of nature?