Letters to The Sun: Tuesday, June 4, 2024

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Re: Parents of young Messi fans demand apology, refund following soccer star’s ‘broken promise‘

It’s understandable that parents who paid large sums of money for tickets so their kids could witness a legend are upset at Lionel Messi’s no-show for the Whitecaps game on May 25, and that this disappointing experience has created an aura of distrust in their children.

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However, instead of dwelling on the negative, this can be used as a great teaching moment for youngsters — that life isn’t always fair and we all eventually get over it to move on.

The most important take-away from is that kids got to share a fun evening with their parents, grandparents and siblings eating half-price burgers, hotdogs and popcorn. Families who normally wouldn’t attend a soccer match made time to go.

Perhaps we should be thanking Messi for his absence. After all, special moments like this are what cherished childhood memories are made of.

Wes Fung, Richmond

Burnaby needs to follow West Vancouver’s example regarding parks and nature trails

Re: New park in West Vancouver will be twice the size of Stanley Park

The District of West Vancouver has taken a significant step to both protect natural areas and to provide for enjoyment of nature for its growing population.

The same may not be said for the City of Burnaby. Its population is forecast to grow by 45 per cent over the next 25 years. Yet the recently released draft Burnaby Mountain Conservation Area Trail Management Plan makes no accommodation for this growth by adding to the current 24.5 kilometres of trails.

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During the pandemic, the trails took a heavy beating, which the management plan addresses. But the plan ignores the evidence of open urination and defecation that points to the need for additions to the two existing public toilets.

Amazingly, the trail management plan completely ignores the many kilometres of unofficial mountain biking trails. These trails cause gullying, discharge sediment into streams, and cause disturbance to wildlife.

Finally, the parks department needs to carry out more and broader community engagement. The public open house on May 21 in an open plaza at SFU during a rain storm was insufficient. Further consultation should be organized at the Cameron Recreation Centre or the Stoney Creek Environmental Centre in Burnaby.

Derek Wilson, Port Moody 

Re: Adult cyclists should have a licence

Oh, here we go again.

It’s those bad cyclists wreaking havoc on our roads, not stopping at stop signs, running those red lights with impunity and causing carnage with other cars and people. Then there are the cars that ignore pedestrians in crosswalks and zoom across, ready or not. And let’s not forget those cyclists backing up traffic for hours on roads along Hastings Street and over bridges with one person in every car. Oh dear, woe is me.

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Well, as a very seasoned cyclist who has gone everywhere in the Lower Mainland, I say to drivers: Your rants and raves should be addressed toward other drivers.

It goes without saying that licensing doesn’t do much good to control behaviour, doesn’t it? What cyclists need in B.C. is to have drivers stop going through yellow and red lights. To stop at stop signs and give space to cyclists when passing. To look when making a right turn on a red and not just cruise through the intersection. This might reduce those deaths and serious injuries both pedestrians and cyclists are experiencing in intersections. And, lastly, if you are so concerned with cyclists, perhaps ask Burnaby city council for proper cycling infrastructure for cyclists around the city. Until this happens, rant away.

Cathy Griffin, Burnaby

Review needed for maintenance of the boulevard trees in Vancouver

There needs to be a review of the maintenance for the boulevard trees in Vancouver. Most of the trees are about 100 years old.

The maple trees on our street in Dunbar have a life expectancy of 100 years. In the recent windstorm a tree near our house split in half and badly damaged a car. We have phoned the city about the tree in front of our house several times. This tree produces leaves four to six weeks after the other trees, a warning that the tree is dying. No action has been taken.

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I previously understood that the city does not assume any financial responsibility for damage to property caused by falling trees, claiming an “act of God” (an insurance excuse). I suggest it is more an “act of neglect.”

I now believe that claims for damage can be made to: vancouver.ca/your-government/claims-information.aspx

I hope the city also has insurance for death and disability to humans caused by falling trees.

David Brough, Vancouver

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