Service or disservice?
Dear Editor,
I am writing to voice my opinion about the story that appeared in last week’s edition of the Castlegar News regarding the impending closure of the taxi company.Over the past few years local drinking establishments, specifically ours, have been fingered as a main source and cause of drunk drivers.
We invested and built a business here that we hope has had positive impact within the community, but also acknowledge some of it’s negatives. There is no question that people leave our establishment and drive under the influence. It is something we do not approve of, however, it is something that is almost always out of our control.
Just as people drive home from restaurants, pubs, golf courses, house parties and the beach after a few alcoholic beverages, patrons leave our establishment too, with no other reasonable and timely transportation options. It affects our business, it affects individuals and it affects the community as a whole. Our business is dependent on safe and reliable transportation, yet none of our patrons ever depend on the the service provided by Castlegar Taxi. Ridership by our patrons is never planned as wait times can run into hours.
It is unbelievable that the owner of the taxi company blames ridership for his demise. Ridership does not exist because there has never been consistent supply of his service. If our patrons, or the patrons of any hotels, restaurant and pubs in this community could rely on the taxi service, then they would ride it.
Let’s not blame the people of this community for not riding taxis and for not paying the overpriced fares (fares that were only recently dropped as they were not in accordance with approved Ministry rates).Castlegar had one of the worst drunk driving records per capita in the province last year.
It is embarrassing to hear of this stat; as a business owner and as someone who lives in and loves this community. We sadly admit that our business does contribute to these statistics as do all other drinking establishments and liquor vendors in Castlegar in addition to the individual adults who make the decision to get behind the wheel and drive under the influence. It is hard not to see that if the city had a taxi company that would provide a timely and reliable sevice, many of the people who decided to drive home intoxicated would have chosen the smart alternative.
It is difficult for us to come out and point at another business owner within the community as taking some of the responsibility. We don’t pretend to understand the economics behind the taxi industry or the logistics of operating one, however, we can comment on our observations and opinions.
We can no longer be silent on the matter of transportation in this community. At some point it will be much more costly to someone than a 72-hour suspension or a losing a drivers license.It is clear to us why people aren’t riding the taxis; very poor service. There is a need for a proper taxi service in the Castlegar Area.
It is clear that this company is doing more of a disservice to the Castlegar area than providing a public service which this region deserves. While it is always disappointing to hear that a small business in your community will be closing it’s doors, in this instance I am looking forward to the prospects of the opportunity for another entrepreneur or company to come in and provide a service that is reliable, timely and dependable.
-Florio VassilakakisOwner Element Club Bar Grill
On smart meters
Re:”Residents’ outfit rallies against smart meters,” Castlegar News, Jan. 5, 2012.
I was pleased to see an article discussing smart meters, or advanced meters,as they are called by FortisBC, but unfortunately the article raised more concerns for me than it answered.Neal Pobran, corporate communications advisor for Fortis, is quoted as saying, “We believe they are safe, but we’re still listening to the experts in the field like (provincial health officer) Dr. Perry Kendall, who says the smart meters are safe.”
I am not qualified to judge Dr. Perry’s credentials, but see by his biography found on the BC Ministry of Health web page that his expertise has been mainly in the field of addictions and mental health. While Medical Officer for Health in the City of Toronto, he developed and promoted the City Tobacco Control Bylaws.
Interestingly, tobacco is one of those health hazards that was long considered “safe” and only years of lobbying and pressure from the public and the medical field finally forced the government into publishing health warnings. The deputy health minister’s expertise is mainly in community health. There was no mention of expertise in electromagnetic radiation.It must also be remembered that government health ministries do not have the best track record in protecting citizens from health hazards.
Health Canada, at one time, deemed asbestos, tobacco, DDT, lead, chlordane and bovine growth hormones as “safe and nothing to worry about”, until long term exposure proved them otherwise. Unfortunately many people suffered and died as a result.I hope FortisBC will also be asking the advice of medical personnel who have done work and research on the health effects of, specifically, electromagnetic radiation.
Dr. Magda Havas of Trent University in Peterbough, Ont. teaches and does research on the biological effects of electromagnetic radiation, including radio frequency, microwave radiation and low frequency electromagnetic fields. She feels that wired technology should be promoted over wireless whenever possible.
In the concluding sentence of her report she states, “If smart meters are placed on every home, they will contribute significantly to our exposure and this is both unwise and unsafe.” I hope FortisBC will consult her.There are also non-health issues, such as economics: the wireless meter project is expensive and will ultimately be paid by the consumer.
Other important concerns are: risk of invasion of personal privacy, vulnerability to hacking, damage to appliances and electronic equipment, including medical devices. I hope Fortis will also be addressing these issues at the BC Utilities Commission Hearing.
If concerned citizens wish to learn more about wireless meters …contact Cliff Paluck by e-mail, cliffpaluck@shaw.ca Growing numbers of Kootenay residents, not just from Castlegar, but also from Trail, Fruitvale and the Slocan have expressed interest in helping to spread awareness of the issue of wireless meters. This has led Cliff to form the Kootenay Chapter of Citizens for Smart Technology.
-Helga Auld
Castlegar
In defence of paramedics
I am writing as a embarrassed member of the Castlegar community. Recently it has come to the attention of our community that we had no ambulance coverage for Christmas Day and New Years Eve. While I feel that this is unacceptable and definitely an issue to be taken up with our government, I would like to point out that it is not the fault of our paramedics.
Instead of criticising and judging our paramedics, we should be praising and thanking them. They are volunteers who work long hours, back to back shifts, drive on the poorest of roads in the winter, spend days away from their families and get poor wages to help you and your families.
I am appalled at the number of people within our community who have deemed it necessary to make inappropriate and uniformed comments towards our paramedics, regarding this situation. Can you blame people for not volunteering to be away from their families on a holiday just to make $10.00 an hour?
I sure don’t. I strongly urge all members of Castlegar to take up their concerns with the appropriate powers that be, instead of belittling those who are doing their best. I would also like to point out that we have a shortage of paramedics in our community and we are very lucky to have the ones we do.
Lets keep in mind that by insulting and hurting the ones we are blessed enough to have, we take the risk of losing them. Perhaps now is the time that Castlegar bands together to fight for more paramedics in our community and better wages and benefits for the ones we have. So instead of judging, criticizing and insulting the innocent, stand up and fight for what you want or get off your couch, say goodbye to your family and volunteer.
-Laura Lockhurst,
Castlegar
Re: “Hold your fire, please”
This letter is directed to the person who thinks bullets are flying astray in Pass Creek. I just wondered, if you were feeling endangered, why would you not call your local RCMP?Being a resident of Pass Creek, we also have a hobby farm with many chickens, lambs, etc.
In the winter months the coyotes and cougars are forced down in the valley to search for food sources. When we see coyotes walking our fences two or three times a week, primarily in the morning, I discharge loud bomb-type fireworks that are sold in local stores, that are legal. This scares these wild animals back into the bush, therefore they’re not being killed.
The fireworks explosions do sound as a rifle may sound, but there’s a difference – they’re not blowing bullets.So before you go making Pass Creek sound like a bunch of maniac, gun-shooting people, research it a little bit more.We have a good group of people living up here.
We try to be one happy family, helping and loving each other. We’re not gun-crazy people… drunks or druggies standing around a bonfire as stated in your letter.
-Wayne Popoff,
Pass Creek
Taking issue with planned retreat
This is in response to your (Craig Lindsay’s) article on page 5 of the Jan. 5 issue: “City to charge BC Ambulance after no service on Christmas.”Councillor Russ Hearne is quoted, “…that these were unnecessary costs incurred upon the city.”
I suppose a retreat for the mayor, councillors and senior staff to Ainsworth Hot Springs is classed as a necessary cost.I am sure there are many low-income taxpayers who would love to spend time at Ainsworth, but are unable to do so.If there are readers out there who think council’s actions regarding this retreat are wrong, please make your voice heard.
-D.B. Turner,
Castlegar
