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Re: Story published Dec. 11 called Costco variances approved

I am absolutely sickened by the news regarding the building of a Costco store on the University of New Brunswick Woodlot.

What a sad and pathetic sight it is to now see paved roads, parking lots, and greedy consumerism taking over one of the most beautiful, peaceful and natural areas in this city.

As for the argument that development is taking place on only a small portion of the woodlot, the destruction of any part of a supposedly protected area cannot be justified. If our protected areas can be so easily modified to suit the needs of those in power, how can we have any trust in those who are meant to be protecting these areas?

To those Fredericton shoppers who have been clamouring to have Costco set up, I suggest you make the effort to spend some time in the remaining woodlot where you will undoubtedly see how fortunate we are to have a true forest within our city.

If instead you choose to keep on clamouring for Costco, I hope you enjoy your wholesale super packs of chewing gum.

Jill Seymour

Fredericton

Where is the salt?

Re: Condition of roads in winter

I am flabbergasted that so many are caught out once it begins to snow.

Surely the government knows when it is going to snow, so why are the plows and salt trucks not out getting ready for all this?

We in the boonies are, literally, left out in the cold and have to wait until the end to get the roads cleared. It is ridiculous in this day and age, and more so, in Canada.

Will Rhodes

Tracy, N.B.

The facts about roundhouses

Re: Story published Dec. 12 called

City adds to historic places register

The recent article by Heather McLaughlin on the old round house, while informative, had a couple of errors which need correcting.

The quote "Roundhouses were used for repairs and to change the direction of early locomotives which could only go forward" was wrong.

Roundhouses were used for storage and maintenance only; the locomotives were turned either by a turntable adjacent to the roundhouse or by a Y-configuration of the tracks.

Secondly, all steam locos since 1800 had the capacity to go forwards or backwards by the application of the reverse lever located in the cab. The main reason for turning a locomotive was that most locos pulled a tender which carried water, coal, wood or oil, depending on the era.

If the loco was going tender first, the engineer's view would be restricted and both he and the fireman would be exposed to the elements in the open cab.

It seems that a closer attention to detail was needed to inform the public of an otherwise interesting story.

John Wells

Oromocto, N.B.

Utility must answer to us

Re: NB Power's cancellation of bonuses

The argument that salary ranges and compensation for NB Power executives are in line with private industry is bogus.

NB Power is a Crown corporation which doesn't seem to answer to anyone. In private industry, companies compete in the world market and their CEOs answer to shareholders who decide, based on profit and loss/performance, whether or not their executives are entitled to bonuses and salary increases.

How can you compare NB Power to private industry when NB power is a virtual monopoly?

Government must take control of NB Power and be held accountable for NB Power's decisions.

It is the people's utility which means the taxpayers of this province are shareholders of this corporation.

Our government represents the people and its responsibility should be to the taxpayers of this province first and foremost, seeing that their hard earned money is spent justly and wisely.

Marilynn Kirchgessner

Nasonworth, N.B.

Is this another unsightly historic property?

Re: Story published Dec. 12 called

City adds to historic places register

Am I reading this right?

A former railway roundhouse on Union Street, owned by the city, has been endorsed by city council for inclusion in the register of historic buildings.

How long before this city-owned building will be in a condition to compete with the Irving-owned York Street station as another eyesore, unsightly and dangerous?

Why is there not some requirement for the owner of such a property to present a budget and plans and make some kind of deposit subject to a withholding penalty before getting such a designation?

As it stands, the historic designation of such a building appears to be just a convenient way to avoid doing even basic maintenance.

With all due respect, painting the outline of old tracks on a floor does not seem to be a sufficient attraction to make a museum that would pay its way.

David Prebble

Fredericton

The quest for power will not stand

Re: Opinion piece called The lesser of two evils: citizen's guide, published Dec. 16.

Reading Bruce Hughes' platitudes and common views of our political system, I am struck by the naiveté and disingenuous stance he takes.

The Liberals, our official opposition, were soundly defeated in the election and Liberals rightly sacked Stephane Dion for his disastrous performance. As a last effort worthy of farce, Dion struck a deal to overturn the election.

The NDP and Jack Layton, eager for a taste of power, joined in enthusiastically. What would have been more troubling was the de facto veto of the Bloc Quebecois, in essence a separatist party representing only Quebec and bent on destroying our national Confederation.

This grasp for power would not and could not stand.

The prime minister and indeed the Crown, under representation of Michaelle Jean, acted responsibly and with the Constitution to suspend Parliament while the Liberals came to their senses.

With the ascension of Michael Ignatieff, calmer heads and sounder policy will ensue.

Work needs to be done on the coming budget and constructive, collaborative criticism, not rash grabs for power, can occur.

Darrell W. Collicott

Fredericton

Property taxes are going up, no matter how you spin it

Re: Dec. 18 story called City holds the line on taxes

I was surprised to see the tax story headline, especially when the average property tax will increase by 5.1 per cent.

I can understand the chair of the finance committee pretending he is not raising taxes, but isn't the Daily Gleaner willing to be critical of the city - at least occasionally?

Tim Andrew

Fredericton