Letters

I am not sure what fanatical financial world the mayor and councillors of Saanich are living in, but it certainly is not my world.

I read with interest in your May 20 edition the article that stated that North Saanich needs to create more affordable and diverse housing. The study goes on to suggest that one way to achieve this is by building village areas around transit nodes. Hmm, village centres … now where have I heard that before. Sorry folks, I couldn’t help myself.

The District of Oak Bay has published a secondary suite survey requesting input. The quality of the survey is poor and the apparent unsatisfactory oversight of the survey process is disheartening.

The recent article in the Peninsula News Review on Sidney Island’s fallow deer population had a number of errors. Sidney Island is basically a tree farm of Douglas and grand fir. Uncontrolled deer population before 2005 caused further reduction of biodiversity.

It’s hardly surprising that the Urban Development Institute, a group of developers with a high-minded label, has issued a “report” promoting wholesale construction in North Saanich; “development” is the institute’s middle name.

I use Richardson three to five times a week to travel between James Bay and Oak Bay. When the proposed modifications are completed my new route will take me past Margaret Jenkins Elementary School. I wonder how many others will do the same. No doubt there will be an increase in traffic flow past the school – not good for the children’s safety.

Welcome to our world Oak Bay. I am a James Bay resident. The comment by your mayor to anyone going to Willows Beach over the long weekend, shows he is just as arrogant towards the elderly and handicapped as our mayor.

My wife and I moved to Sooke about 19 months ago, and I would just like to say what a delightful experience it has been. So many store clerks have been so friendly and personable. Coming from Saanich, we’re also surprised at how often some driver in traffic will actually wave us in when waiting to exit a store or parking lot. We’re not used to such courtesy.

We live in the Sandpiper condo on Country Road. On May 15, I walked my dog along Country Road when I saw a man working along the edge of Sooke Elementary School property using a herbicide. I asked him what he was doing, and he replied he was applying Roundup and working for the Sooke School District.

Re: Sidney calls on airport to improve design of warehouse (News Review, May 13)