TheReview Wednesday, January 22,1992 — A8 Continued from Page A6 before the 1975 election with a three-year appointment and, in a mean-spirited breach of normal protocol which prompted a per- sonal protest by then-Canadian high commissioner in the U:K., Paul Martin, he was precipitately ordered to vacate B.C. House near the expiry of his term by the Bennett government. And that order was the only communication Strachan received from Grace McCarthy, the minister responsible at the time. From that blunder of misinfor- mation, Beyer’s column continued downhill when he suggested Bob Strachan was wanting in the dis- charge of his agent general duties because he ““was a man at home in the daily skirmishes of the politi- cal arena, but ill at ease on the diplomatic circuit.” For decades, Bob Strachan as MLA, leader of the opposition and minister, demonstrated a generos- ity and statesmanship beyond par- tisanship that eamed him the uni- versal nickname of “Gentleman Bob” on both sides of the House. He was even highly praised for his personal qualities and his devotion to B.C. on several occa- sions by W.A.C. Bennett. Paul Martin, dean of the Common- wealth comuaissioners posted in London, also paid high tribute to Strachan’s work on behalf of the province there. Beyer is entitled to pitch for his friend Grace McCarthy to be appointed to the London post on the claim that she is a good salesperson (although selling the Expo lands at a considerable net loss to B.C. and overselling the Skytrain technology for which we are all paying now hardly gives credence to the claim) but in doing so he is not entitled to attempt to smear the reputation of a dead man who gave a lifetime of loyal and exemplary public service to the province. John Mika Victoria Get involved in your Sanscha Editor: Following up on your excellent editorial (New community centre, The Review, Jan. 15) I wonder how many people (especially newcom- ers) know that Sanscha Hall *Big SUPERBOWL PARTY *Official NFL Jacket Giveaway *FREE Pregame Appetizers 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. *FREE Game Time Munchies *Prizes for Each Quarter Screen T.V. NO ADMISSION CHARGE SUNDAY BRUNCH he Res. 10e a.m. - 1:30 p.m. THE WADDLING DOG INN 2476 Mt. Newton X Road SAANICHTON belongs to the citizens of Sidney and North Saanich? The hall and the land it sits on are ours! We control its destiny! Not the federal government, nor the provincial, not the municipal, nor the regional district ... No! We control this wonderful community asset. It’s ours, folks, every shin- gle, every speck of soil! There is a meeting of Sanscha Hall membership ... we are all members ... being held Jan. 28 so if you care at all about something that has faithfully served the Peninsula for almost 60 years, come to this meeting and say your piece. Help decide its future. The whole concept of a com- munity hall is much too important to just let things slide. The meeting is at 7:30, Jan. 28 at (where else?) Sanscha Hall. I hope we'll see you there! H.P. Lang Sidney Protect the best park from dogs Editor: Thank you for providing a forum for the dog vs. birds and humans debate. We hope you can print this letter to encourage more input. In the absence of a Stanley Park “Lost Lagoon,” we believe Roberts Bay is the closest to a natural park the Town of Sidney will ever have. Although not “bird watchers,” we have easily been able to iden- tify; Canada geese, swans, loons, cormorants, Western grebes, homed grebes, mallards, American widgeons, golden eyes, buffle- heads, mergansers, hooded. mer- gansers, great blue herons (18 one day!), lesser yellow legs, murres, eagles and kingfishers. _ Contrary to the opinion expre- ssed that “most seabirds that fre- quent the bay use the offshore area and are not disturbed by dogs”’ all but three of the species mentioned, feed on or close along the shore, and are harassed by dogs. Something no one living on the bay for any length of the time can deny, is that the hundreds of birds seen daily only a few years ago, have been reduced to dozens. If we wish to reverse this trend, we must reduce our impact on the bay. Two further problems regarding canines, not addressed in your don’t forget. 652-1146 article, are noise and feces left on the beach. This past summer, unlike previous years, saw a dra- matic increase in the animal popu- lation, two- and three-dog families, most of a particularly noisy tem- perament. Each passing transient animal would elicit howls of protest and what can only be described as hysterical yapping, on a far too regular basis and at all times of day and night. The community plan guaranteed us “a serene and tranquil environ- ment.” Bylaw 830 assures us “that no animal shall run at large on any public or private property within the municipality.” Bylaw 819 states “no person shall own, keep or harbour any animal or bird which, by its cries, unduly disturbs the peace, quiet, rest, or tranquility of the surround- ing neighborhood or public at’ large.” We would ask that common sense prevail and that dog owners respect these bylaws, and voluntar- ily clean up after their pets. We would ask town council to resolve this in the fairest and simplest way. Recognize the Roberts Bay area for way it is, by far the best “park” in all of Sidney, and like all other “parks” exclude dogs completely. We believe this to be in the best interests of the majority of the residents and visitors to the Roberts Bay area, although a few dog owners may prove to be more vocal. The Smith Family Allbay Road HOMESTYLE DOUBLE BURGER NOW $1.79 Limited time offer -HERE’S A HEFTY HUNK OF A DEAL Sink your teeth into something special at Dairy Queen®. Our 1/3 |b.* tender Homestyle Double Burger® looks, cooks, and tastes like homemade. And now it’s on sale. *Pre-cooked wt. SIDNEY DQ The Sidney Dairy Queen is a participating sponsor of the British Columbia Children’s Hospital through the Children’;s Miracle Network Telathon. 2323 Bevan Ave. 656-3339 Sidney January ee