Letters

She sells sanctuary

Re: “Letters,” June 26-July 2

I agree with the letter from Erica Anne Dickson regarding the need for a new conservation centre. What is more, I’m involved in an organization that is working to do just that—build a new, bigger and better conservation centre in the Victoria area to provide a home for endangered animals and plants.

This organization is called OASES—Organization Advocating Sanctuary for Endangered Species. We are working to expand our educational programs, and are organizing the next one for August 7 at 8 p.m., on the night of our AGM, which will take place at Ocean River Sports. Everyone is welcome.

Nancy MacNab, treasurer, OASES, Victoria

Do as they say

To bicycle cops who ride on sidewalks: 

You both had a good laugh the other afternoon when I asked you if you enjoyed breaking the law as you bicycled through the crosswalk at Blanshard and Caledonia, cutting off me, all right-turning traffic and pedestrians coming the other way on the narrow sidewalk you both wobbled onto.

Keep up the professionalism, guys; I’ll bring my digital camera next time! I’m sure you guys will just love the notoriety of appearing on YouTube hyuk-hyuking over the laughable idea that the rule of law might actually apply to you.

Iggy Schwinn, Victoria

More ideas

Re: “Top 10,” June 12-18

About public spaces, I would like to see Government Street closed to all car and truck traffic during the day in summer months and make cluster/groupings of seating and potted real trees in the blocks where there are none, to encourage brown-baggers and tourists to sit and chat.

About festivals, I disagree with having a mix of world-class artists with the underdeveloped artists. Those who can afford the world-class artists will always go to their performances, whether at the Royal, in Vancouver or wherever; for those of us on limited incomes, we still want the opportunity to appreciate artistry offered by local and underdeveloped artists, and the festival venue was a good way for us to do that.

I am puzzled by the idea of a needle exchange that expects the addicts to supply their own drugs. Why cannot the VIHA make contracts with addicts who could be maintained and be able to function in society if they had regular measured doses of their drugs given to them at prescribed intervals, so that they do not have the excessive reactions which cause such distress to the public?

I like the idea of converting the Bambu lot into a day-gathering place for the homeless. I would also like to see the large field on Carey Road used as a place to locate cabins for the homeless, with a central community kitchen, showers and laundry facilities, on-site social supports and law enforcement.

About public urination—If there were more public loos, with on-site supervisors who kept the places clean and not used as drug-dealing sites combined with lots of public education on the subject and more street-beat police who could issue hefty fines for public urination, we should soon see the problem eliminated. If not, then close the bars at midnight.

Carolyn Herbert, Victoria

Fund-amentalism

I am an atheist and a humanist and am forced to fund church charities and schools through their tax breaks and subsidies. It is true that as governments avoid their responsibilities to their least well-off citizens, the churches and other charities line up to provide services, driven by volunteer help and minimal government funding, in order to play on the emotions of the public. This encourages the illusion that if the government refuses to directly provide core services, charities are necessary to fill the gaps.

The Band-Aids must cease and pressure should be brought to bear on all levels of government to directly deliver adequate core services and support to those in need.

 Phil Lyons, member of the

Committee to End Homelessness in Greater Victoria

Searching 4 answers

Re: “The Week,” July 3-9

At the Walk 4 Justice, the peaceful group singing and drumming was stopped by police in the early stages of the walk. Numerous officers shouted at the group and one officer very aggressively confronted one of the visiting organizers from Vancouver; several witnesses confirmed that she was even physically pushed by the officer. I haven’t seen this kind of police brutality at other peaceful marches, yet at this event, one commemorating the disappearance of over 3,000 women (many of whom are Indigenous women), the police presence was enormous and very hostile.

This treatment is shameful and racist and was unprovoked. Why did this incredible effort towards finding justice for the many missing women and their families face a hostile and threatening confrontation from Victoria police?

Annie Banks, Victoria