As a music educator and school principal in the Greater Victoria School District (SD61) I had the privilege of working in an era (10 years ago) when music programs from K-12 were valued and supported as an integral component of our studentsB´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™ education. Our district was proud to be a leader, recognizing that stable music programs provide a multitude of benefits to our students, to our community, and to our society.

Saanich has seen a significant increase in visitors B´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·“ human and canine B´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·“ to our 171 parks over the last year. ThatB´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™s great news. However, we need to find ways for everyone to enjoy their experiences in parks, respect the environment and mitigate potential negative situations involving dogs. We aim to support responsible dog owners and provide comfortable spaces for those without dogs. ItB´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™s a balancing act.

The road expansion isnB´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™t for you and me, reader writes

Keep John Phillips Memorial Park open for pets and their humans, reader writes

I am the land property owner where a truck crashed into a fence on Idlemore Road in Sooke.

Re: Stop looking for loopholes in travel restrictions ( Our View , May 13)

I have long questioned the need for so many mayors and councillors in Greater Victoria. If you add up just the eight municipalities that include Langford, Colwood, View Royal, Esquimalt, Victoria, Oak Bay, Saanich, and the Highlands, you have eight mayors and 48 councillors for a population of roughly 311,000 people.

So Saanich spent $75,600 on police officers sitting in hospital waiting rooms. Saanich has ballooned to an over $100 million payroll in my time.

To preserve and protect an archipelago of 13 major islands off the coast of B.C. has long been the mandate of the Islands Trust. However, many people are unaware that the Trust Council has embarked on a review of this mandate. A defeated motion at the March Islands Trust council meeting has received little public attention and I believe those of us who support protection of the Gulf Islands from uncontrolled development should be very concerned.

Congratulations to Langford, B.C.B´ÎÔª¹ÙÍøÍøÖ·™s fastest growing community and recently ranked as the Most Resilient City and Best Place to Work in British Columbia.