Opinion TheReview Volume 76 Issue No.51 Wednesday; December 19,1990 — A6 Ss Ss HIGHWAYS MINISTRY BOWS Te SIDNEY CoURCIL'S REQUE Sf Ve CANCEL PLANS FOR INTERCHANGE... s | WW d Vaan Ws Beacon interchange: ee Political climate in our favor A looming provincial election could be the only thing that will save the Town of Sidney from being bypassed complete- ly in the upgrade of the Pat Bay Highway, as part of the Island Highway project. The Ministry of Transportation, with a reputation of going ahead with its plans despite contrary comments from municipalities, could agree to re-think an improvement to the intersection of Beacon Avenue and the Pat Bay Highway. Pressure from the Peninsula’s cabinet minister, MLA Mel Couvelier, and continued trouble for the Social Credit party, have politicians worried about the next election, likely coming in spring. It seems that could be the reason Rita Johnston is being so accommodating of council’s position on the Beacon Avenue interchange. But statements she has made are rather confus- ing. : In an interview last week, Johnston agreed that Beacon Avenue was essentially deleted from the Island Highway , project. Staff in her ministry were advised to work full-steam ) ahead on plans for the Island View, Landsend and McKenzie : interchanges, where safety concerns are the priority. The Beacon Avenue interchange was designed to “improve T GIES WE SHOULD BE = | JuANKEUL THEY GAVE US = Z SOME ACCESS... = Za local access rather than to address safety or capacity concerns on the highway”, therefore it is of lower prionity than others. However, in a press release from the public affairs department of her ministry, it says, “The Minister undertook to have further discussions between municipal and ministry staff to review other options for the intersection.” Obviously, the Minister is trying to be all things to all people. On one hand it looks like the door is closed. On the other, the door is open to further consideration of other options. We believe it’s safe to assume the ministry will have a good look at other options presented to it by council, and if it appears politically prudent to act, it will. Rosko is doing the nght thing in preparing other options. However, the method she is using is a cause for concem. Hiring a man as a consultant without due process is unusual. Because the man actively campaigned for Rosko against the interchange during the municipal election, some eyebrows are being raised. Council approved his position as an adviser to the mayor for a one-time meeting with the Minister of Highways, not as a highway planner to design interchange alternatives. Appar- ently, four design alternatives have been prepared, and they weren’t done by ministry staff. Despite that issue, one cannot ignore the fact that Rosko is keeping her election promises. The “massive” Cloverleaf has been stopped. Time will tell if a better plan becomes reality. Letters to the editor must be signed and contain ihe writer s address and telephone number. Letters should not exceed 500 words in length and may be edil- ed for clarity, legality or taste. Concerned for the children Editor: Your headline story “Former teachers charged with assaulting girls” (The Review, Dec. 12) makes me nervous. I have school- age children. My son, while not affected by these “educators’’ was exposed to them. It’s time to elect people to the school board who are not afraid to tackle tough issues, and who will engage people to carry out the plans and programs set down by the board. Evidently the activities of at least one of these so called profes- sional educators has been public knowledge for years, yet nothing concrete was ever done, other than protecting the (innocent) rights of these sick people. If anyone believes as I do, that education of our children is a sacred right, and not just a busi- ness function of society, then please don’t hesitate to call me. In the meantime, I hope every parent will talk to their children if they have been taught by either of the accused and encourage them to come forward with any pertinent information, because, parents, your children will have children some- day. Rian Martin Sidney mall maelstrom, but to buy gifts Stubbs, G. Rice, G.S. Logan, for your loved ones!) Donna Godwin, Susan Kilpatrick, Maybe you've been too busy t0 Calvor Palmateer, Mr. Rippin, think about the fact that 40,000 Andrey Doidge. Sidney is indeed children will die this Christmas day for lack of the very simple gifts we enjoy such as clean water, substantial food and medical care. May I suggest a unique gift idea you won’t have to stand in line for? It’s the gift of child sponsorship. Through World Vision you can sponsor a child from a developing country in the name of a friend. This is a wonderful opportunity to understand another part of the world through the eyes of a child. You'll give joy and you'll get joy. If you’d like more information on the gift of child sponsorship, you can call World Vision at 1-800- 268-1650. Dennis Kiffiak area representative World Vision Canada Victoria Thanks for the experience Editor: During the months of Septem- ber, October, and November of 1990, the four of us University of Victoria students circulated about Sidney. As future community health nurses, it gave us an oppor- tunity to assess a community for the first time. We would like to express our gratitude for the assistance and unique! Janis Russell, RN Sean Darling, RN Frances Dawe, RN Kim Clements, RN Victoria Aclear need for improved writing Editor: In Glenn Werkman’s front page report on the Sidney council’s reconsideration of the Beacon Avenue-Highway interchange (New council axes interchange, The Review, Dec. 5), Ald. Dave Goulet is quoted, “I’m sorry your disappointed ...” Dave may have expressed his sorrow, but I’m sure he would have written you're. Then, I wonder how the caption writer for the view of the proposed interchange (page A3) gets top is north, right is west, unless that is worm’s eye view. Please don’t te! me that all those hours I spent learning the points of the compass were for naught. Yours for improved writing, Leslie W. Page Saanichton Projeci manager has facts all wrong Editor: Last March 27th the media 4 TheReview Serving The Saanich Peninsula Since 1912 9781 2nd Street Sidney, B.C. V8L 4P8 or PO. Box 2070 Sidney, B.C. V8L 385 Second Class Mail Registration #0128 Published every Wednesday 656-1151 Publisher: Vic Swan Editor: Glenn Werkman AN ISLAND PUBLISHERS NEWSPAPER Pos9 PRILEWINNT a. CCNAY an co == Se ~ ptr ens asso Ewspapeas CO A unigue gift for Christmas Editor: By now most of us have surged into the foray of that annual battle known in North America as “Christmas Shopping.” As our wallets shrink and our credit bal- ances skyrocket, we’re asking our- selves once again why, oh shy do we put ourselves through this every year, and what on earth is this Christmas thing about, any- way?! Isn’t it supposed to be about love and peace and good cheer? Then why are we fighting with our neighbor over that last Ninja turtle doll on the shelf? Yes, Christmas is still about love and peace and good cheer, but most of all, it’s about giving. (You knew that of course; why else would you venture into a shopping information provided for our pre- quoted a highway’s department sentation of your “‘city by the spokesman saying that Sidney res- sea.” We are pleased we had the idents “overwhelmingly favored” opportunity to study such a the highway’s department/Sidney friendly and vibrant community. council’s version of the Beaco You are most fortunate to be a part interchange. What that spokesman of it! had been smoking is anyone’s We attempted to portray the guess. image of Sidney as we experienced © Now we have highway project it, and as it was articulated by the manager, Gregg Singer, protesting people within the community. We that the recent election results have received a potpourri of valua- played no part in the department’s ble information, the prominent sudden backing down on the inter- features of which we attempted to Change that they said the people pass on to our peers. wanted so badly. He underesti- In return for the information we ‘mates the intelligence of the Sid- received, we are donating slides to ney residents, which is the fatal the local library and laser prints to mistake made by former mayor the local museum. Norma Sealey. Does he really We would like to thank each and expect us to believe the backdown every one of you for your time and by Highways was just a coimci- , energy. Special thanks goes out to: dence? Myma Klein, Bob Leach, Wendy Face it Mr. Singer, what really Riggs, Cst. Kim Horsman, Ken Continued on Page A?