Sun
An artist’s impression of the view from the North Shore looking into Whitecaps Waterfront Stadium, with downtown Vancouver in the background. WHITECAPS FC HANDOUT
I am very happy to see that Whitecaps owner Greg Kerfoot is spending money out of his own pocket to pay for this new soccer stadium.
That’s in stark contrast to the stadium in Toronto that Maple Leaf Sports Entertainment will use, but that three levels of government will be paying for almost in full.
I just hope that the city will fasttrack the stadium so it can be completed for the FIFA World Youth Championship, an event watched by millions of people around the globe.
Canadians may not know it, but the World Youth Championships will be the biggest event to come to this town until the Winter Olympics.
Brett Graham, Surrey
Stadium a winner
I support the Whitecaps 100 per cent and want to congratulate owner, Greg Kerfoot, and Bob Lenarduzzi for their hard work in putting this together.
I’m not sure what the protesters have to complain about.
The stadium will be completely privately-financed and will be built on private land.
Businesses in the area will certainly reap the benefits of having this stadium right on their doorstep. It can be used for some many great things, and will provide hundreds of job opportunities on the waterfront. This new stadium can only be a positive.
Javier Maltes, Port Coquitlam
Cat rescuer praised
Three weeks ago, I did a cat rescue with Bev Parent, who was fatally burned in a Surrey apartment fire last Wednesday. I found a starving stray cat and two kittens at a car lot on Kingsway. Bev came out and helped do the rescue with me. This woman was amazing. She took in unwanted and unadoptable cats. She gave them a chance when other agencies would just put them down. I can’t begin to imagine how such a caring, loving person could suffer such a horrific death and lose 70 of her friends in the process. I hope all cat-lovers who hear about this will donate to Aid to Animals or to other animal rescue agencies. She was a rare type of woman.
Alex Axsen, Vancouver
No breaks for Smart cars
Never have I been so incensed by a proposal as I am with the suggestion that Smart cars be given a break with parking.
I have been driving a fuel-efficient diesel Jetta for three years Do I get a break? No.
I’ve driven motorcycles for 35 years, and not only do I not get a break on parkades, but I’ve been threatened with parking tickets if I park more than one motorcycle in a parking space, even though there is room for four or five motorbikes.
I have been sworn at by car drivers who wanted me to pull up to the end of the parking spot so that they can squeeze in. Guess who would get the ticket?
I insure four vehicles, am an excellent driver and have ICBC’s most favourable rate.
Perhaps I should move to the West End and buy something from Mercedes Benz before I can get some consideration
Garry Cook, Surrey
Judge got it right
By freezing the assets of the BCTF, B.C. Supreme Court Justice Brenda Brown has virtually shut down the most politicized labour organization in B.C.
By stopping the BCTF from using their financial resources, Justice Brown was shrewd and innovative.
Given the BCTF’s multi-milliondollar war chest, what would seem like a huge fine, such as $1 million, would have done very little to settle this illegal action and bring the BCTF back into compliance with the law.
Hats off to Justice Brown for doing what she can to resolve this dispute.
Ron Johnston, Campbell River
Respect essential teachers
Why is it that teachers continually get negative press?
They are consistently shown in a poor light: They are the lawbreakers; they are the rebels; they are poor role models; they are unworthy of respect and they are unworthy of any real consideration.
And yet they are “essential.”
If indeed they are essential, shouldn’t they be treated as such instead of being trampled on, disregarded and disrespected?
Hypocrisy? You be the judge.
Rob Olstead, Port Coquitlam
Don’t hate lefties
I’m intrigued by the animosity I read toward individuals such as Michael Moore and Che Guevara.
Since when did it become intolerable to question whether corporations are trading their dignity for cheap labour (Roger and Me), if America’s pro-gun policy is truly making it safer (Bowling for Columbine) or if George Bush’s war in Iraq is really in our best interest (Fahrenheit 911)?
We should not be too quick to criticize people trying to create equality, protect our environment, question authority and speak for the voiceless.
© The Vancouver Province 2005
