Federal politicians must look at big picture on new laws

Our MP, Kerry-Lynne Findlay, recently spoke to the Delta Chamber of Commerce about pending federal legislation. While she spoke about a number of matters, I want to focus on one subject - the crime and punishment bills coming before parliament.

Let's hope cash louder than words

Rationalizing, pleading and badgering hasn't worked, so maybe putting some money on the table will do the trick.

Hypocritical boomers will be seen as a selfish generation

This is my 110th column for the Delta Optimist, and my last. Rather than a self-indulgent explanation of why, I'm simply going to end with some random thoughts that never made it to print. Enjoy... or not.

Dix riding 40% of vote to Victoria

Adrian Dix is poised to become B.C.'s next premier - with less voter support than his predecessor, Carole James, received in the last two provincial elections.

Malls only pose threat to some

The thought of two major malls setting up shop at the Tsawwassen First Nation has sent shockwaves through this community. Beyond concerns over paving farmland and traffic congestion, there have been worries about how this retail behemoth will impact ...

Cheaper, and tastier, way to deal with rabbit population

I switched to Delta Cable during a break in the recent Alabama-LSU national championship football game and caught Delta council and senior staff in a very serious, hourlong discussion about the rabbit peril.

Do as we say, not as we've done

It is truly a shame to see all that fertile farmland lost to housing, stores and industry.

Year starts off with reminder that taxes due soon enough

The anticipation of a new year wore off quickly with my mail on Jan. 2. I received my B.C.

About time rabbits get attention

It's not a bad plan. It's three or four years late, but, as I said, it's not bad.

Going to great heights to avoid the limitations of an area plan

Did you hear the rumour about the six-storey building down at the Ladner waterfront? Or the tower proposed for Paterson Park? No? Well those are fictitious. But how about six-storey and fivestorey buildings on 56th Street in Tsawwassen where Southpointe...

Biggest hope for year ahead is politician with some guts

Well, 2012 is here and still no flying cars, "fountain of youth" pills or colonies on the moon. Manhattan remains a thriving burrow, not a walled-in prison facility. We're still eating animals and produce, rather than our fellow humans, in wafer form...

Focus on his record, not ours

Every time I see those Liberal ads attacking NDP Leader Adrian Dix, I can't help but wonder whether those on the government benches are asking themselves that very question.

Prices make it tough to own home

Property assessment notices arriving in mailboxes this week aren't likely to cause a lot of grief this time around, unless, of course, you're trying to break into the market.

Social supports can't just go to those making most noise

Kudos to the advocates and families of people with developmental disabilities, who have spent countless hours trying to get their concerns heard. Now if only similar attention could be brought to the many other neglected social concerns in B.C.