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Process needs new beginning
July 28, 2010 2:49 PM	Like

Editor, Sir;
In response to MIEDS putting a hold on the hotel tax until September, I have a suggestion that the process be restarted, meaning that previous signers agreeing with the hotel tax not be counted due to the possibility of them being misled with incorrect information that other hoteliers were onboard.
These coercive tactics, which have corrupted the democratic process, have been documented.
The MIEDS board has its job cut out for them to try and install corrective measures as there is a growing feeling of mistrust towards MIEDS.
The ombudsman will be made aware of these improprieties and hopefully MIEDS will make a public statement, in this newspaper, that a restart procedure will take place if they decide to pursue this hotel tax.
Geoff Ray
Queen Charlotte

Chlorine pros and cons
July 28, 2010 2:50 PM	Like

Editor, Sir;
I have read enough about the chlorine controversy in Port Clements drinking water recently that I cannot help but point out some of the pros and cons regarding this deadly poison. Living for many years in Port Clements, I had been totally against the treatment of drinking water with chlorine.
But there are two sides to the story, as the benefits of treatment outweigh the risks involved if you know a few facts which you can personally apply to the chlorinated water which comes out of your tap. I still absolutely abhor the sickening odour of chlorine in my water and never would even think of drinking it that way. But since chlorine is added as a gas, it will do its utmost to escape its watery environment. The proof of that is already evident when you can smell it coming out of the tap.
I have used a Brita water filter for many years which removes over 95 percent of the chlorine, the rest escapes naturally. Any open bottle, jar, kettle or vessel will shed its chlorine content overnight or larger ones within 12-24 hours. Don't be afraid to use chlorinated tap water for making tea, coffee, soups, or anything boiled or cooked in water since the boiling process removes the chlorine. Any self-respecting restaurant should not ever offer chlorinated tap water to paying customers, they have to make sure their patrons are served cool, clear, odour-free water.
I have sat in restaurants stirring my glass of water with my fork or teaspoon amid the pitying glances of onlookers, but would you believe it, after 10 minutes of stirring the chlorine was hardly
noticeable. Just last week I made a new test. I filled my blender with 'chlorine juice' and after 30 seconds on high the chlorine had completely disappeared.
In that respect, chlorine acts like people, we sometimes fly off the handle when agitated and chlorine flies out of water which has been agitated.
I remember when Old Massett's water was the colour of coffee and how elated we all felt when the village hooked up to New Masset's water supply, which was safe, clean, and chlorinated.
A primary filter in the basement already keeps most of the chlorine (and other pollutants) out.
I hope Port Clements can see its way through this difficult situation. Each householder can do his or her own part. Let's hope 'water boil' orders are a thing of the past. (except for chlorine removal!)
Yours for better health,
Archie Stocker Sr.
Old Massett

Our editor's opinion

Welcome changes coming at BC Ferries
July 28, 2010 2:49 PM	Like

In response to years of criticism from people like North Coast MLA Gary Coons, and a recent report from the province's own comptroller general, the BC government has quietly made several important changes to the Coastal Ferry Act.
Perhaps the most important for islanders is the section on "public feedback". The Coastal Ferry Act of 2003 (this is the legislation that turned BC Ferries into a quasi-private company), did not specify that the BC Ferry Commission, set up to regulate the new company, should ever take public feedback or the interests of ferry users into account when making decisions. As of now, the Ferry Commission will have to listen to public feedback and will need to consider the interests of ferry users, not just the bottom line.
Secondly, BC Ferries must now come up with a process for dealing with customer complaints, share that process with the BC Ferry Commission, and report on all complaints received. This is a big difference from the previous legislation, which made no provision for a complaints-handling process. It did require BC Ferries to undertake annual customer satisfaction surveys (although somehow they never seem to include the northern routes), and this requirement remains. In our opinion, the survey is a waste of time and money that provides pretty much the same results year after year and could easily have been scrapped (do we really need to know that 89 percent of customers thought their ferry ride was great?) The new focus on dealing with customer complaints is a welcome one, however.
The third change that could have a positive effect for ferry-dependent communities like ours is that BC Ferries will soon be subject to Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. MLA Gary Coons, for one, is looking forward to Oct. 1 when this provision comes into effect. He has been saying for years that it made no sense to exempt BC Ferries and the Ferry Commission from the Freedom of Information Act, and we agree with him. It will be interesting to see what light Mr. Coons can shed on some of BC Ferries' more obscure decisions and processes - such as the internal report into the Northern Adventure's disastrous attempt to cross Hecate Strait last November, a report that BC Ferries refused to release.
The other changes are mainly to do with governance issues. As of Oct. 1, the boards of BC Ferries and the BC Ferry Authority can no longer have directors in common, and BC Ferries employees - like the CEO - can no longer serve on the BC Ferries board. Also, both boards will have to reduce the remuneration they pay to new directors, to keep it in line with other BC public sector organizations. Pay for BC Ferries executives will also have to stay in line with that paid to executives in other public sector organizations in the future, although no one's existing salary will be reduced. And BC Ferries will have to report on the remuneration annually.
These are all positive changes, and we look forward to seeing how they improve the transparency and accountability of our provincial ferry service.