Opinion Volume 76 Issue No.21 TheReview Wednesday, May 23,1990 — AG Two-wheeled friends: As much right to the road It’s alarming to read recent statistics that show one of every six accidents in the Greater Victoria region involves a cyclist. The CRD traffic safety committee is working on a campaign to lower the number of accidents inyolving cyclists but the only way it can happen is if the motorists sit up and take notice. Some view cyclists sharing the road as a irmitant because a bicycle can only occupy a portion of the road allowance, especially along windy, twisty West Saanich Road or Mt. Newton Crossroad. Yet, according to the Motor Vehicle Act, a cyclist has as _ much right to the road as a person operating a car or truck. The stereotype cyclist was a young person on the way to or from school. But that stereotype no longer applies. An ICBC spokesman said recently: “The typical accident victim is an adult cyclist who mdes to and from work. Commuters, not recreational riders. Most often they are struck by a car which is tuming left at a traffic-controlled intersection. The driver either doesn’t see the cyclist approaching, or misjudges the speed of the bike.” Just last week a young man lost his life because the driver of a turing truck didn’t see him. A Bicycle Belong campaign is ending this week. Hopefully the message has got out to motorists and cyclists that rules and responsibilities are the same whether you have two wheels or four Dry or wet: Celebrate graduation safely Some students at Parkland School have fallen behind the times when they insist that the after-grad party be complete with alcohol. : Wisely, the school itself is staying out of the fray. But the police aren’t. About 95 per cent of the graduating class is below the legal drinking age, and as one officer put it, until a person is 19 years old, it’s not the students decision to make. Simple, it’s illegal for minors to consume alcoholic beverages. Sure, the police are tolerant and judge each individual situation on its own merit. In this particular situation we support the police in saying: “Be responsible and join the majority of province graduating classes in celebrating without the problems alcohol can create.” Too often, courtrooms are kept busy dealing with behavior that is a direct result of overindulgence. IMAGINE: ‘NO SMOKING’ ON BC FERRIES... AND WHEN THE WIND S JUST RIGHT, UP THERE, HE SAYS HECAN GET WHOLE LUNGFULLS OF EXHAUST FUMES... Letters to the editor must be signed and contain the writer's address and telephone number. Letters should not exceed 500 words in length and may be edii- ed for clarity, legality or taste. TheReview Serving The Saanich Peninsula Since 1912 9781 2nd Street Sidney, B.C. V8L 4P8 or RO. Box 2070 Sidney, B.C V8L 3S5 Second Class Mail Registration #0128 656-1151 Publisher: Vic Swan Editor: Glenn Werkman AN ISLAND PUBLISHERS NEWSPAPER 882. PE NEAS AR COM el A ioe Bun 4EA ED BS Ga ge fH VERIFIED _ CIRCULATION Peace Walk was a beginning, not end Editor: About a month ago, between 10,000 and 15,000 people walked for peace in Victoria. Like the estimated 40-100,000 attending in Vancouver, people were saying with their feet that many global problems are connected — peace, a healthy environment, and justice for all creatures and humans of this small planet. The Greater Victoria Disarma- ment Group wants to thank you and your readers for helping make this year’s Peace Walk the most successful ever. Together 30 coor- dinators, 150 volunteers, and thou- sands of walkers made a clear statement for peace. But what has changed in the ensuing weeks? We're used to exciting, demo- cratic developments happening daily in Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union. It’s old news, and we barely notice any mote. It’s past time for the West and Canada to follow their lead! Instead we were treated to a nuclear sub in Nanoose Bay the very next week. In Victoria the Peace Walk’s theme was Arms Cost the Earth. The head banner proclaimed Declare B.C. Nuclear Free. People were walking because they want action on the problems that threaten planet earth. They want money squandered on the nuclear arms race to be used cleaning up the planet. Walkers were calling on all M.L.A.s to declare Beautiful B.C. nuclear-free , without delay, and to take steps now to ensure that all nuclear violations cease by 1994 for the arrival of the Com- monwealth Games. Nuclear-free in *93 is our rally- ing cry. We don’t want no irradi- ated athletes! From New Zealand to Victoria, let the Commonwealth Games stay nuclear-free. Al Rycroft Coordinator, GVDG Some suppor dry grad party Editor: We are writing to you as con- cerned students about the article Two Parties, One Night in last week’s Review. This article referred to the conflict between many of the students at Parkland School on whether to attend a parent-organized, community sponsored dry after-grad party or the traditional party. In our opin- ion, it was one sided because it gave no views from the many students who support the dry cele- bration: The article mentioned that this party was not asked for by the students and also implied that many grads were not responsible or mature enough to ensure a safe evening. If this was not true, then why do some feel it necessary to defend an illegal offence of minors in possession of alcohol? The Dance Of Your Life cele- bration gives the students a choice. This party was not designed to cause a war but it seems that some people are just too ignorant to realize that fun can be had without alcohol. Why is it so hard for some members of the grad class to give up an evening of illegal drinking in exchange for a fun-filled carnival style party that they will remem- ber? They have 364 other days in the year to drink if they wish. Why must they choose this one night? This letter is not for the com- munity to read because we have their utmost support for the dry- grad party and this has been greatly appreciated. It is, however, for the members of the 1990 graduating class of Parkland School. We have worked 12 hard years and would like it to end with a memorable celebration foot of Beacon Avenue. WHALE PAINTING IS complete inside the museum at the our community can be proud of. Please do not make a decision you may regret in the future! Be the leader, not the follower! Only two of the many in support of the Dance Of Your Life celebra- tion. Jenny Martman Mary Gahan Sidney Referendum told council answer Editor: Sadly, it looks as though an unhappy Sewer Woman and some associates may be on the prowl in z — North Saanich. Have the residents gy of this community not already undergone the unnecessary expense of re-electing a most cap- able and hard-working mayor plus the expense of conducting a thor- ough referendum on sewering the S.E. Quadrant and Deep Cove? Would this small minority choose to disregard the democratic process? To disregard a referendum in which the citizens of the S.E. Quadrant freely opposed sewering in their area to the tune of a hefty 70 per cent? To disregard those who have already responded to the - results and installed expensive new fields? To disregard those whose septic fields have been inspected and found satisfactory? Council rightly sought the senti- ments of the ratepayers in conduct- ing the recent referendum. They wanted answers. Already burdened with Meech Lake, the Via Rail muddle, the Continued on Page All : :