Opinion Drawbridge philosophy: Not logical or realistic It defies logic for a Central Saanich alderman to suggest that not upgrading sewage treatment plants past current requirements is a viable means to limiting growth. Planning and zoning committee chairman Ald. Clarence Bolt, the driving force behind the municipality's current official community plan, is well aware of the areas of the municipality that are slated for future development. He is also aware of statistics released by the Capital Regional District on a monthly basis, which detail the amount of development activity on the Saanich Peninsula. This comes at a time when development has been stalled. Developers are lined up at the door Numerous applicants have been waiting for the district to complete its planning process. Many were told not to pursue their rezoning applications until after the local area plans are completed. The wait continues. The Saanichton-Keating Ridge local area plan is well underway. But, except for the former fairgrounds property in the Saanichton core, there are no significant development proposals in the Saanichton local area plan. Alternatively, in the Brentwood Bay area, a large develop- ment proposal for the Tod Inlet area has been in the planning stages for over two years. As well, a commercial development proposal for a motel and restaurant for Keating and West Saanich roads continues to sit in limbo, although the original application was made three years ago. These are just two examples of apparent efforts to control development. But, instead of controlling development, devel- opment is being delayed. Similarly, failure to upgrade services will not control development, but delay it. Sometime in the future, during or after the Brentwood Bay local area plan process, council will take a close look at the development proposals. Then, the ability to provide services will be given prime consideration. On the other side of the council table, we hear the voice of reason. There is logic to Ald. Ian Cameron’s suggestion that Central Saanich get on with plans to upgrade its sewage capacity, by improving its plant at Cordova Spit or becoming a partner in a unified plant, and charge developers the cost of expanded capacity for their properties. Although for many years the Peninsula has been on the leading edge of Greater Victoria’s sewage treatment, plants have reached capacity and for the past couple of years they regularly operate beyond capacity, contrary to Ministry of Environment regulations. Bolt should understand that controlling growth is more desirable than making attempts to delay it, especially when other Peninsula municipalities are also looking for a 20-year solution to sewage treatment. Council will do well to listen to Cameron, its finance committee chairman. First, determine where growth should be allowed and work toward servicing those areas. Then, ensure developers pay their fair share of the cost. Letters to the editor on issues of concern to our readers are welcomed by The Review. All letters must be addressed to the editor and bear an original signature of the letter writer. Letters must contain the letter writer's street address and telephone number for verification purposes and not for publication. Letter should not exceed 300 words in length and may be edited for clarity, legality, brevity and taste. The Review Serving the Saanich Peninsula Since 1912 9726 - First St. P.O. Box 2070 Sidney, B.C. V8L3C9 _ Sidney, B.C. V8L3S5 656-1151 Publisher: Rory McGrath Editor: Glenn Werkman Reporters: Valorie Lennox Advertising: Corrie Morozoft John Gelder Production Manager: Tamie Sargeant Office Manager: Lori Fitzpatrick Circulation Manager: Wendy Denison AN ISLAND PUBLISHERS NEWSPAPER CCNA 4 BCYGNA 4 AND YUXON 3 i @CNA g as COMMUNITY. wis, Rass =I NEWSPAPERS A ERs ASS ORD CIRCULATION ASSOCIATION 4SPapeRS CO ee ea CONTROLLED Volume 80 Issue No. 22 TheReview Wednesday, May 27,1992 — A6 an SANS STo paral MZ b aS SS Leama Helmets missed Editor: Regarding the May 13th article, “Ride On” by Diane Dakers (Vic- toria Weeklies Section B). The “Top Story” about cycling * in Victoria was very informative. It listed the pros and cons of cycling for commuting or sport. One very important safety issue was over- looked. The article did not mention once, in all three pages, the use of helmets while cycling. In fact the rider pictured on the front page did not have a helmet on. A head injury is a very serious matter and can be avoided or lessened by the use of an approved helmet. Last year I had to buy new helmets for my children, aged 6 and 3. They asked me why they had to “bother” with helmets. I told them the standard reply, “It was because I loved them, and I did not want to see them get hurt.” My three year old, with all his wisdom, replied with the idea that I should buy one too because he loved me and did not want to see me hurt. So I did, and I have wom it ever since. The helmets these days are light- weight and comfortable, so there are no reasons not to wear one. If not for yourself, then wear one for the people who love you. S. Rankine Saanichton Think of future Editor: After being a student guest at the B.C. School Trustees Associa- tion’s recent annual general meet- ing, I would like to share with your young adult readers my feelings about the importance of staying in school. At the meeting, April 23-26 in Vancouver, I realized how hard school board trustees work to make school and education the best possible starting point in the lives of young people. I realized how important it is for young people to make the most of this starting point. I attended a workshop on dropouts and heard about many adults who dropped out in their teens only to go back to school in their 30s. They found out that opportuni- ties just aren’t there for people who don’t graduate. My opinion about school is: Why waste your time in school when you can make it useful for yourself? Why drop out when it only takes a couple of years of doing your best to finish your education, and then you can enjoy your life anyway you want? I want to tell other young peo- ple: Think of your future. Set a challenge for yourself or a goal which will prevent your from dropping out, and will help you to work hard and complete school. I bet you have met many young people who have dropped out. I bet you can see the troubles they’re going through already. Attending the trustees’ meeting was a great experience for me. People like Donna Jones, who was president of BCSTA at the time, and Anita Hagen, Minister of Edu- cation, helped me to appreciate how important it is for my own future to make the most of school. Ranjit Gill Grade 10 Booth Memorial Junior Secondary Prince Rupert Tough enough to save for university Editor: We wish to comment on the proposal that crossing guards must be paid for by parking fees for students at Stelly’s School. Most students at Stelly’s are working part-time in order to save money for university, and to have their cars on the road to begin with. I have two students hoping to earn enough to help finance univ- ersity. A parking fee is just one more thing to contend with, along with increased ICBE rates, fuel prices, tuition fees going up at university etc. Further, why should a Stelly’s student be penalized for crossing guards at other schools? Why the students and not the teachers? What is the precedent for this? What other high schools in B.C. do this? And since Ald. Clarence Bolt is so eager to establish parking fees, why not include Central Saanich municipal hall? Why not the ele- mentary schools? Why not the community hall? Maybe Bolt would like to charge for parking at the library and the scout hall? Bolt says he is serious about this proposal. Well, we are serious too. We will not vote for him or Mayor Ted Jones in the next election if this is a sample of their “logic.” J. Nielsen Brentwood Bay Eating disorders need recognition Editor: Recently, a full-page article written by Victoria Weeklies repor- ter Nancy MacDonald about com- pulsive eating appeared in your newspaper. As director of NICE (National Institute for Compulsive Eating), and a facilitator of support groups, workshops and public information forums, I would like to thank you for its publication. MacDonald wrote a sensitive, inspiring and accurate article on this unrecognized, debilitating dilemma facing 60 per cent of the general population — compulsive eating. For personal change to take place, the disorder must first be recognized and acknowledged. The knowledge that resources are available is a motivating factor in an individual’s move toward autonomy. Marie Cochrane Founder and director of NICE Victoria Pw