Opinion

The Editor, Shortly before Christmas, a cousin and I went for a fish and chips lunch in Maple Ridge. Imagine our surprise when were told "the couple who just left took care of your bill." I have no idea who they were.

M y colleague, ironically paginated to my left, recently told me that he will be stationed in Toronto for a few months. "Gee, that's too bad," I commiserated, always the empathetic Vancouverite. He replied: "I don't think so.

I 'm writing this week's column from beautiful Toronto, Ont. No, I'm not being facetious; I really mean "beautiful." Yes, I used to be one of those people - like a lot of Vancouverites - who chided T.O.

The Editor, Re. "Should cyclists be licensed and taxed?" (Face to Face, The Tri-City News, Jan. 10). I completely agree with Face to Face columnist Andy Radia on registration and taxing cyclists because some are not obeying traffic laws.

F ew labels irritate me more than that of being referred to as a taxpayer and of having the money governments spend referred to as taxpayers' dollars.

The Editor, Re. "Rapid bus as Evergreen link: Moore" (The Tri-City News, Jan. 15). Articulated rapid buses like those currently used in Metro Vancouver have a capacity of 120 passengers.

Engaging citizens in the mundane task of budget setting is difficult for most cities.

News that the provincial government is selling 584 acres of land on Burke Mountain to pay off some bills may come as a shock to many people.

The Editor, Re. "Down or up?" (The Tri-City News, Jan. 17). The 1 to 1.5% proposed tax increase for the aging Port Coquitlam recreation complex and seniors centre was poorly presented in this year's 2014 Budget at a Glance .

The Editor, I enjoy seeing the utility boxes in the Tri-Cities with the local photographs on them. The one near the former site of the Wild Duck Inn, however, is just painted green - and with some graffiti on it.