LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

More patrols

Are we being held hostage by vandals? I hope that the Kirkland bike path closure is only the small section between the ‘main’ path and Snair Street (‘Kirkland hopes path closure will reduce vandalism,’ The Chronicle, Aug. 8). If it involves the main section that runs parallel to the hydro lines, it will cut the bike path in two, isolating western Kirkland. Having said that, my main concern is not so much losing a part of the bike path as it is a question of solving the symptom rather than the problem.

I understand that something must be done about vandalism, which is why I found it ironic that, a few pages after your article regarding Kirkland’s decision to close a section of their bike path due to vandalism, the Talk of the Town section showed a picture of the Station 1 Sun Youth bike patrollers. And in the letters section, Pointe Claire’s parks program was highlighted as a great model for helping to keep children, including potentially disrespectful teenagers, busy.

My own children were harassed by bullies at Gibson Park this summer, in that same area that Kirkland is experiencing vandalism problems, behind the Coliseum and Margaret Manson school. When on bike rides with the children, I often see broken beer bottles on the path and, earlier this summer, I noticed a large windowpane at the school was broken, as if something had been thrown at it. Along the main path that follows the Hydro Québec servitude, residents’ fences are “tagged” by graffiti vandals (they are not “artists.”)

I really wonder whether closing a section of the bike path will keep vandals away. My impression is that it will only force them to move elsewhere, and the Kirkland bike path has many other sections that run between houses. Does this mean that, down the road, Kirkland will be forced to close down other sections of the path and, eventually, the entire path?

The solution to this problem lies in those other two sections of your newspaper: How about increased patrols by the Sun Youth bike patrol, our own public security, and the police? Add that to the longer-term effects of better parks programs in all municipalities, and we may be able to save our bike paths (and our children.)

Dan Miller

Kirkland

Pool breaks noise barrier

Valleycrest Community Swimming Pool in Pierrefonds is guilty of lowering the quality of life in our neighbourhood. They are also guilty of the use of an extremely loud sound system beyond the hours designated by the borough. In the May 2007 issue of the Life in Pierrefonds/Roxboro Municipal Magazine in the section of Nuisance and Order it is written: “To maintain order and ensure citizen’s peace, it is forbidden to use bells, whistles or chimes or other noise producing items or machines (such as radios, sound systems, televisions or musical instruments) outdoors between the hours of 7 p.m. and 11 a.m. in Pierrefonds and 7 p.m. and 10 a.m. in Roxboro.

Last Saturday morning we were jolted out of a deep sleep by the sound system of Valleycrest Pool at 6:52 a.m. hosting an activity. I have no problem with this activity. I do, however, have a problem with their sound system that continually disrupts the peace and quiet of the neighborhood. Last Thursday at 11:08 p.m. they were playing on their public address system, again breaking the bylaw. These are but two examples of the disrespect they have for the neighbours in the area of the pool. As for the city, they are just as guilty for not enforcing their own bylaws by the use of heavy equipment beyond the permitted hours to install portable stands for these events.

How would you like to be awakened by and annoyed by this community pool that is supposed to enhance and enrich the quality if life in Pierrefonds? One gentleman walking his dog Sunday at 10 a.m. paused across the street and hand gestured toward the pool and shrugged his shoulders at the volume of the music. He shouted from across the street over the music that the city takes away the right for him to walk his dog because of pollution in the parks. However, they permit this type of pollution that is designated as noise.

I’m sure your neighbourhood is peaceful and you are not awakened on a Saturday morning by an irresponsible neighbour at 6:52 a.m. I shouldn’t be either!!

Wayne Gass

Pierrefonds