Sewage petition is a step in right direction
Re: 2,200 near Prospect Lake say no to sewage plan (News, May 9)
The petition for an independent review of the CRD’s sewage treatment plan is vital because the CRD’s sewage treatment system is incorrectly designated as high-risk by the federal government.
The federal government does allow for deadline extensions if the application is made before July, 2014.
One benefit to correctly reclassifying our risk rating will allow more time to find better sites and better technology.
As well, it gives time for that independent review of the CRD sewage plan as well as necessary cost-benefit and risk analyses that have still not been done.
It’s important that these analyses must include our marine-based sewage treatment system because besides being incredibly less-expensive then land-based sewage plants, our current system enjoys two important environmental advantages: it produces virtually no bio-hazardous sewage sludge nor does it require precious urban space for more sewage plants.
John Newcomb
Saanich
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Greens could see changes in next election
Re: MLA not green enough, (Your View, May 14)
The letter-writer succinctly expresses the frustrations felt by many who are represented by both Canada’s only elected Green Member of Parliament and only elected Green Provincial Member of the Legislative Assembly. And it’s from a double hit that Gordon Head voters must recover.
To explain such unique election results let’s not revert to the old left-coast granola metaphor (nuts, fruits and flakes) to describe errant voters.
That MLA Andrew Weaver has demonstrated a secular ability to support some export-oriented natural resource proposals is a positive sign he may last as a political entity – as either a (non-religious) Green or, by recanting, he might even be welcomed as a member of British Columbia’s current governing party.
Despite well deserved praise for her work with constituents requiring assistance, in the next election the majority of voters are not likely to support MP Elizabeth May with her consistently negative arguments against industrial or natural resource development. It’s unlikely she’ll again be able to split the two main-party votes for a plurality win.
In both Saanich and Oak Bay there’s hope that the voters’ former and long-established federal and provincial political acumen will be restored.
Ron Johnson
Saanich
