Letters

The Esquimalt and Vic West communities have been defeated by the split vote passed by half the municipal council to allow a five-storey condo with 40+ units to be built in the middle of established family homes whose residents expected to stay and raise their families.

A recent article in the Peninsula News Review about Central Saanich’s tax rates was unfortunately misleading for readers. The article looked at a scenario where municipal residential tax rates were compared and stated Central Saanich’s rate was among the highest; however, every municipality is different and comparisons of residential tax rates are oversimplified. The comparison to North Saanich was inaccurate and, also, not an apples-to-apples comparison.

Re: the letter ‘Dog owners need to follow the rules.’

Victoria city council is considering tax increases that will impact renters and homeowners who are already having difficulty paying their high rents and increasing mortgage payments. Fewer families will be able to afford housing.

There appears to be a large segment of the population, especially the business community, that does not feel bicycles, or for that matter, any form of active transportation is of benefit to the community. Many cyclists spend money in various stores. It is rare that I ride through town and do not stop and spend some money.

It comes as no surprise that exhaust pollution is affecting people’s health. And I am certain we know why. If not let’s examine the causes – and there are many.

One in three homes have a dog yet we are very silent. It’s time to speak up!

The draft OCP report paid for by North Saanich taxpayers may contain recommendations from the advisory working group, along with input from numerous community and NGO groups, and the residents who participated in open houses and numerous Zoom sessions. That report ought to be made available to all councillors and the recommendations made public.

Re: Rift on council emerges as North Saanich OCP committees unveiled. The new mayor of North Saanich, Peter Jones, used Section 141 of the Community Charter to establish several new committees to do something related to the Official Community Plan. In creating these committees, it appears that he is not welcoming anyone who holds an opinion contrary to his.

Hey fellow dog lovers, can some of you please stop being so selfish? I’m referring to those who ignore the rules while being in an on-leash park or school ground and letting your special friend off leash to run anywhere it wants. What makes you think you are above the rest of us?