Editors are often impressed with the wisdom of readers, even more when compared to politicians fatuously toeing the party line.E.A. Foster was bang on with his May 23 assessment of a decision to close three B.C. Coast Guard stations, including the one at Comox that is responsible for covering Johnstone Strait, Queen Charlotte Strait and southern Queen Charlotte Sound.Some of Foster’s friends have died at sea. “I have watched marine gas stations blow up in the Vancouver Harbour, boats explode, pleasure craft lose their engines, people fall overboard,” the letter continues.The chance of people dying at sea is lessened by the quick response time of a nearby vessel manned by dedicated, courageous people.Echoing Foster’s thoughts, fellow Comox resident Bruce Jaffary writes to say he and his wife have observed a tremendous growth in the amount of vessels and people on the water since the 1960s.“Now is not the time,” he writes, “to pull such a vital and necessary service for a few million dollars.”In a humourous, yet serious aside, he suggests the government could drop free-spending MP Bev Oda from cabinet to save the $11 million it says it will achieve by closing Coast Guard stations in 2015.Canadians do not appreciate a government cutting a service that saves lives when we know in our hearts how easily our tax dollars are wasted.Islanders cannot appreciate hearing MP John Duncan parrot the party line by trumpeting a “consolidation” of a service that will forward emergency calls from this area to Prince Rupert.No amount of amazing new technology can replace a fast boat nearby.editor@comoxvalleyrecord.com
EDITORIAL: Comox Valley residents concerned about Coast Guard closures
Editors are often impressed with the wisdom of readers, even more when compared to politicians fatuously toeing the party line.
