In response to Don White’s letter about the fallacy of “greenest neighbourhood” (News, May 31), it would appear that he is not a believer in “every journey begins with a single step.”
It is true he has no way of knowing all of the environmental practices of the Gordon Head-Oak Bay residents.
However, he comes across rather sanctimonious in his judgments of vehicles driven (weren’t they parked at the time of observation?), water recovery (rain barrels may be in the back yard) and tidy yards (do push mowers mean an unkempt lawn?) etc.
When electing a representative, one looks not only in terms of being “one of us” but also leadership.
Maybe the people confident enough to display an Andrew Weaver sign are looking for a leader to help them move forward in their quest to be more “green.”
I think it would do the party a disservice to insist that only those who already live a more pronounced environmentally friendly lifestyle are allowed to openly show support for a Green candidate.
If this is the case, the writer is correct in his prediction of “doom.”
I did not vote for Andrew Weaver, but I appreciate the opportunity he provides in presenting alternate views in the legislature.
Along with taking cues from the representative the voters have elected, perhaps the spotlight label of “greenest neighbourhood” will motivate all of us who live here to become more conscious of our personal affect on the environment.
While maybe not yet the “greenest neighbourhood” in a practical sense, we are the neighbourhood most willing to give voice to the cause.
Susan Henn
Saanich
