The Editor,
This morning, as I was driving with my brother to skate at Port Coquitlam recreation complex, I did not notice a huge pothole in the middle of Shaughnessy Street a little ways past the intersection at Lincoln Avenue.
With no sign to warn me, and as an inexperienced 17-year-old N driver, I was in a bit of shock.
Once my parents picked me up to get a new tire, we saw another couple in the same situation.
These incidents happened in the broad of daylight with light traffic. I’m concerned about what will happen during a morning traffic rush or at night.
If these potholes cannot be fixed immediately, measures should be taken in order for fewer incidents like this to occur, such as a sign.
Victoria Banka,
Port Coquitlam
TAX BREAK, MAYBE?
The Editor,
The Lower Mainland had a lot of snow fall in December. It snows, it rains, it freezes and results in hard, heavy, packed, icy snow piles.
I hear over and over that the cities expect homeowners, businesses, etc. to clear the sidewalks in front of their properties by 10 a.m. or face fines. This has been an very difficult task for many and puts them at risk of physical injuries.
Meanwhile, there are a number of streets not plowed or sanded. Mail delivery, recycling pickup and trash pickup have been missed, sometimes for weeks.
I heard an interview with a city employee who stated cities can’t risk the safety of workers on some of these streets. I am all for worker safety but these are services taxpayers fund. So as well as the threat of fining people for not shovelling their public sidewalks, how about a rebate on municipal and property taxes offered to those that have not been provided with services they have paid for? Seems reasonable to me.
Sherry Parkin, Coquitlam
THANKS
The Editor,
Again this year, as is typical, many businesses, apartment blocks and homeowners get a fail for not removing ice and snow along sidewalks.
But this year, instead of complaining about them, I wanted to say thank you to the many folks who DID shovel and sand their walkways, like a gentleman on Mary Hill Road who not only cleared the sidewalk outside his own home but also those outside the next two houses and half of the community garden sidewalk as well — after every snowfall.
So, on behalf of walkers everywhere, thank you.
Rhamona Vos-Browning,
Port Coquitlam
ON CLIMATE CHANGE
The Editor,
With more snow expected in the forecast, our local politicians can be sure to expect more calls and emails asking (complaining) about when the snow on their streets and sidewalks will be cleared.
Some politicians have turned to social media to express to the community that they do not have a magic wand to make snow and ice disappear, and say that city workers are doing all they can to keep our community’s transport routes clear.
I understand our politicians cannot snap their fingers and make the snow disappear. But before feeling too sorry for them, here is what they can do but too often don’t: They can make responsible choices when it comes to our environment and climate change, and base their decisions on reducing greenhouse gases, protecting our green spaces and supporting alternative energy projects instead of accepting money from oil corporations.
Perhaps they will consider a new year’s resolution to put our health and the environment, rather than corporations, first on the agenda.
Jane Thomsing,
Port Coquitlam
