Thursday’s letters: Sell Canada Post to union

So they’re at it again. In spite of the fact that they are operating a business which is losing $1 billion a year, give or take, the postal union not only wants a pay raise, but they want to limit any attempt by the post office to reduce costs. Reducing delivery from five days to three days weekly is unacceptable, further utilization of community boxes will, in their view, cause unnecessary hardship on us seniors, hiring temporary workers during busy periods would have a disastrous effect upon the workers’ option for overtime pay.

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How about the government give the postal franchise to the union, free of charge? Lease them the buildings and vehicles, et cetera, for $100 per year requiring only that the union pay for maintenance and upkeep. The only stipulation will be that the union operate their new business in accordance with the criteria under which they insist the current operators can financially survive. All the profits from their newly acquired postal service will go directly to the union and its members in the form of pay raises.

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It’s a win for everyone. We poor seniors will retain our five-day home delivery, Union members will keep their lucrative overtime pay and the government will gain from the increased income taxes paid by the improved finances of the union members.

John Fielder, Edmonton

Parkland sale sets bad precedent

Re. “Selling Wellington Park land cheaply for an African centre raises questions,” May 20

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Shame on executive committee, who unanimously decided to give away (for a mere $1) 1.2 hectares of Wellington Park for development of an Africa centre. Their decision reflects the generally low priority that city council accords the city’s natural or semi-natural environments.

The park was purchased with the parkland purchase reserve account, which means that, in the absence of a market sale to recoup the funding, money that would otherwise go to creating parks, preserving the city’s natural areas, possibly acquiring river valley land, and implementing natural-area-management plans, will actually promote development.

The decision sets another bad precedent in favouring a small segment of the community over a larger demographic, including users of the park. Let’s hope council as a whole takes a different view and votes down the proposal.

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P.J. Cotterill, Edmonton

Volleyball meet gratifying to watch

This past week, I have attended a number of games that my granddaughters have played at the Expo Centre, which is hosting the National Volleyball Tournament for players 14 to 18 from May 8 to 25. There are a total of 1,264 teams and is the largest single-sport event in the country. Approximately 30,000 people are involved and it has the impact of adding $28 million to Edmonton’s economy.

The teams come from across the nation — Newfoundland to B.C. — no politics involved. Team sports have a positive impact on youth in terms of leadership training, character development, mental health and social skills. It is gratifying to watch these young athletes compete and gives me hope for the future of Canada

Patty Cleall, Edmonton

Letters welcome

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