by David Frisch | May 5, 2014 | Letters to the Editor, News
I am surprised to hear that Courtenay Council defeated the Blue Communities resolution regarding clean water. The resolution was to recognizes and affirm that access to clean water is a fundamental human right and that Council would call on the federal and provincial governments to enshrine water as a human right in federal and provincial law. I wonder what it is regarding access to clean water that Star Winchester, Manno Theos, and Mayor Larry Jangula are opposed to? Are they unwilling to show leadership out of fear or are they confused about the word “whereas” ? The wording of the resolution can be read at: http://canadians.org/sites/default/files/publications/RTW%20updated%20section%20and%20resolution.pdf The definition of “whereas” can be found...
by David Frisch | May 14, 2013 | Letters to the Editor, News
Staff writer – May 14, 2013 01:00 AM Thank you Ronna-Rae Leonard for opposing the adoption of the phased development agreement that gives Buckstone Investments Ltd an alternate route option for an off-site trail in South Courtenay. It appears you understand the effects a seemingly insignificant diversion of a bike path can have on its overall usefulness. By directing potential cyclists from the Buckstone development to a meandering oceanside pathway, this agreement dissuades people from using the pathway for practical purposes, such as commuting to work, shopping or general travel into town. Firstly, it is important to understand that the Courtenay Riverway, while being a wonderful recreational trail, is not the most efficient or practical transportation route for cyclists. In some short trip cases it is useful, but in general, it is a winding path separated from the majority of businesses by an extremely busy and unpleasant road called Hwy 19A/Cliffe Ave. If one lived in the Buckstone developement and wanted to shop at Quality foods or elsewhere in the mall, one would have to cross Hwy 19A once near Beachwood Road, to access the Courtenay Riverway, and then again somewhere near 29th or 26th Street to access the mall. Keep in mind there is no formal connections at 29th or 26th to the Riverway, nor is there an efficient way to cross Cliffe Avenue. If you want to encourage people to use alternative transportation, it needs to be relatively efficient! If it is out of the way and difficult to access is, people will almost always choose to drive a car. On the other hand, the Rails With Trails...
by David Frisch | Nov 7, 2012 | Letters to the Editor, News
Staff writer – November 7, 2012 01:00 AM I was shocked to read where Courtenay’s Mayor stands on prioritizing our transportation investment - “the need to cater for a growing number of drivers”, proposed as the “number one priority” in response to the visionary direction for the City’s 25 year Master Transportation and Land Use Plan (Echo, October 19). Ideas like the “possibility of a future circle road running right around the city, maybe taking in Arden Road and a causeway across the estuary to link up the McDonald Road” sounds like advice out of the middle of the last Century, before we understood the negative effects associated with car-oriented communities. Effects like sprawl, epidemic obesity rates, and an entrenched dependence on the automobile (which means you need a car to get around whether you want to use one or not). Clearly there are environmental costs associated with sprawl, oil extraction and burning. There is also the immeasurable effect that too many roads can have on our communities - they can make us look like a “tangle of suburbs and big box stores” to the outsider’s view (BCAA Westworld magazine, Summer 2011 edition). Now of course there are benefits to automobiles as well. I drive one myself. I would find it hard to live on Vancouver Island without one. They offer great carrying capacity of goods and people. For those who may be frail, sick or physically incapable of taking the bus, walking or riding a bike, they may be the only option. Please do not interpret my endorsement of more transportation alternatives as an outright dismissal of the...
by David Frisch | Nov 1, 2012 | Letters to the Editor, News
Comox Valley Record - posted Nov 1, 2012 at 5:00 PM Dear editor, I was shocked to read where Courtenay’s mayor stands on prioritizing our transportation investment in response to the visionary direction for the City’s 25-year Master Transportation and Land Use Plan. Ideas like the “possibility of a future circle road running right around the city, maybe taking in Arden Road and a causeway across the estuary to link up the McDonald Road” sounds like advice out of the middle of the past century, before we understood the negative effects associated with car-oriented communities. Effects like sprawl, epidemic obesity rates, and an entrenched dependence on the automobile (which means you need a car to get around whether you want to use one or not). Clearly there are environmental costs associated with sprawl, oil extraction and burning. There is also the immeasurable effect that too many roads can have on our communities — they can make us look like a “tangle of suburbs and big box stores” to the outsider’s view (BCAA Westworld magazine, summer 2011 edition). Now of course there are benefits to automobiles as well. I drive one myself. I would find it hard to live on Vancouver Island without one. They offer great carrying capacity of goods and people. For those who may be frail, sick or physically incapable of taking the bus, walking or riding a bike, they may be the only option. Please do not interpret my endorsement of more transportation alternatives as an outright dismissal of the value of the automobile. I am asking instead for a balanced approach. An approach that planners, engineers, health...
by David Frisch | Jul 3, 2012 | Letters to the Editor, News
Staff writer – July 3, 2012 01:00 AM Dear Editor, Not taking action on an issue is a form of action. Many people don’t agree with the way that transportation dollars are spent in our community. A Car Free Sunday event is unique from other events because it intentionally asks us to think about something that we take for granted - the unimpeded ability to travel, as pleasantly as possible, from one location to another. Fair enough if you’re in an automobile, but not so for other forms of transportation…. And other forms of transportation do make sense. Car Free Sunday is a chance to recognize the merits of these alternatives. I hope my Council always remains open to the dialogue of being car free - that is, free from being a slave to cars and car culture. If well planned, and well communicated, Car Free Sunday can be a tool for community education about the role of automobiles in our society, which isn’t insignificant. Consider this logic: - People need to walk like fish need to swim: Our bodies are meant to move. We need to find helpful ways to incorporate activity into our day to day activities. Even taking simple steps like taking the stairs or parking once and walking to all locations within 500m are a step in the right direction. An additional benefit is that when you depend on your body, you take care of it. This is a healthy attitude to have towards oneself. - Some cultures are experiencing inactivity, obesity and chronic disease epidemics. Health Canada and its research agencies have been begging Canadians...
