Whitehorse Daily Star

January 21, 2004

• Some of the busiest eateries are smokeless This is to the restaurateurs who are complaining about the loss of business due to the new non-smoking bylaw.
• Recognize teachers' financial contributions Ed. note: this is an open letter to Dennis Fentie, the premier and minister of Finance.
• Sima too good to be true' Whitehorse residents: what a wonderful facility you have on your doorstep.
• Bus system has become almost useless Ed. note: Long-time Whitehorse resident Joyce Hayden, a former NDP cabinet minister and co-founder of local bus service in the 1970s, made this presentation to city council on Monday evening.
• Buses need proper schedule So how about a 30- or 60-minute schedule for Whitehorse Transit?
• Local shoppers were generous The people of Whitehorse were very generous in 2003 to the food coupon program for both the Salvation Army and Maryhouse.
• Lighten up, Stephen Harper! Have you ever chased your playful family pet around the coffee table, then watched him go into a trance when he knows he is caught?

January 20, 2004

• Our logging industry: a natural disaster Ed. note: this is a letter to Wild Canada, based in Ontario.
• Human behaviour gives rise to conflict For most of the past 19 years, I have resided in the Wolf Creek watershed area south of Whitehorse. It includes the Mary Lake, Cowley Creek, Wolf Creek, Pineridge and Spruce Hill subdivisions.
• West feels very alienated Anyone who feels that the west is being unfairly treated by the eastern-based politicians should read a novel called The Day B.C. Quit Canada.
• Seniors need an effective bus service Last year, the City of Whitehorse cut bus routes and increased fares. This has had a dramatic effect on seniors living in our city.

January 19, 2004

• Avoid vehicle idling by taking the bus Ed. note: Whitehorse resident Diana van Eyk made this presentation to city council last Monday evening in association with the Transit Improvement Committee.
• Presenting some belated resolutions A few suggested New Year's resolutions for the ruling and influencing elite:
• Wolves wild, unpredictable' To the wolf lovers and people writing to the paper: you all need to get your heads out of the sand and get a clue!
• I'm watching smoking issue When our current councillors chose to say no to legislated repression of vehicle idling (Star, Jan. 13), they surprised me.
• Quayle was comparative genius Is it any wonder many Canadians do not take George Bush seriously?
• Small stores perish Subject: Wal-Mart. In the summer of 2001, I spent two months in Whitehorse.

January 16, 2004

• Don't confine the riders to the buses With the possible exception of the crucial planning field, city council couldn't offer a more justified nod toward resurrecting committees than authorizing a transit advisory group.
• Homelessness is a real concern As a citizen in Victoria, it certainly made me feel proud when Mayor Alan Lowe facilitated beds for the homeless to be put into the Silver Threads Center during our severe winter weather.
• We are pleased with the results of the bail hearing We are very happy to announce some good news about John Graham. After an impassioned fundraising effort in the past weeks, we successfully raised the amount needed to meet the requirements of John's bail. In fact, at 9:00 Thursday morning, we had reached $25,500 $500 more than was needed!
• Are we to wait until our kids are attacked? Geez! We just moved here from New York! Bought a house from some crook 10 minutes from town, thinking we could tame the wildlife and maybe even bait the wolves to have them all extinct!
• Harper's salesmanship is deceptive 'One Conservative Voice', Stephen Harper's slogan, and that of his party when he becomes its leader, is deceptive, fallacious and imprudent.
• If things don't improve, expect revolution It is over a year since the LIEberal government attempted to saddle Canadians (at least those naive enough to accept it) with firearm registration.

January 15, 2004

• Minister's criticism was off the mark DAWSON CITY Any informed Dawsonite listening to Community Services Minister Glenn Hart's recent stern lecture on fiscal responsibility would have been surprised to hear him point to the financing and operation of Dawson's cable Internet and television system as an example of the town's poor financial management.
• Homelessness crisis is growing How's your memory, Paul Martin?
• MacKay should be a dart board People never cease to amaze.

January 14, 2004

• A sorry abdication of leadership Who says Santa Claus hibernates in January?
• Thoughtless pet owners killed eight wolves Eight wolves have been slaughtered in the past few days due to the irresponsible pet owners living within the city limits who have allowed their 'uncontrolled pets' to roam the neighbourhood unattended.
• Mom should have plunked kid in snow Just thought of a way for the City to aid in the unemployment lineups. It could be called UJO (Useless Job Opportunities). They could hire people to monitor all the vehicles in Whitehorse.