Writer apologizes to mayor
To the Editor,
I have made an error, and if you would please make it recognized, I made the statement in the paper (Parade not up to standards, July 7 Letters) that Mayor Mike Ruttan was not in the parade in my article, and I was wrong.
Mr. Ruttan, please except my apology, it was definitely an oversight on my part.
Dave Noble, Port Alberni
Editor’s note: the original letter was corrected online last week with an explanation.
Get involved before you criticize
To the Editor,
Re: Parade not up to standards, July 7 Letters.
Criticism is an easy way to think you have done something. To to do something you have to get off the sidelines and get involved in what you want changed.
Reading the letter on Friday evening, after hearing my Mom-in-law say the parade was no good this year, I just had to respond.
This Canada Day parade was what many are, the best people could do, and watched by many that appreciated the effort of all that got off their butts and made it happen.
Dave Noble should give his efforts along with his criticism over this next year, and he may get what he sees as a good parade.
Brent Browning, Port Alberni
Volunteers stepped up
To the Editor,
Re: Parade not up to standards, July 7 Letters.
Dave Noble’s letter regarding the Port Alberni Folkfest Canada Day parade brought back memories of my younger years when I, too, would make ill-informed, unhelpful, and poorly judged comments regarding community events and other things going on in our community.
However, over the past number of years time has taken its toll on me and I might be getting soft. Now I try to do a bit of research before offering constructive criticism and sometimes get involved with making that which I criticize better.
Concerning the Canada Day parade, a bit of research would lead me to the following initial observations;
• Over the past few years the parade and Canada Day festivities have nearly been cancelled in their entirety due to a lack of volunteers.
• The festivities have been saved and carried on with the help of numerous volunteers, many of whom already volunteer extensively in the community.
• Loggers, property taxes, income taxes, etc probably do not play a role in this—a lack of volunteers probably does.
• Community groups like the Port Alberni Folkfest Society seem to be open to whatever support a volunteer can give.
Given these observations it would lead me to conclude that if the parade is something that I highly value, I should probably contact the organizers and offer up my assistance.
I am only 27 years old but I, too, would like to share something with you that I have learned over the years.
Once you get involved, informed, and start meeting the wonderful people that make these events happen, you may never want to go back to making unhelpful comments.
I hope to see Mr. Noble out and getting involved soon.
Cameron Oscienny, Port Alberni
