Why are we killing ‘problem Dear Editor: Why do we kill ““problem’’ wildlife? (North Shore News, Sept. 29 “Officer shoots problem cougar in Lynn Vailley.’’) » Surely there must be other op- tions. The officer in charge said the animal was too high in the tree for a dart gun to be effective. -Would the animal not tually have come down? Do we kill to even- killing things that get in your way is OK? Surely not. ‘More likely we do this to put at case the minds of those people who still think wild animals cat grandmas and little red-riding hood types — to hide our fears and insecurity. It was after the News published a “cougar alert’? that the parks office received numerous calls of cougar sightings. That means people were already on the defensive — they were go- ing to see what they wanted to see — man-eating lions, impress upon, young people that shooting and - wildlife? | ‘the animal was sitting like a dow, with its head forward.’ Cu- riosity? “It looked like it was ready."" Ready for what? To at- tack? } have never seen, nor heard of, any of the feline Species attacking from a silting position. The cougar was no more ready to attack (hax it was ready to give birth to puppies — more likely it was curious: of the noisy people roaming through its home. 'f the cougar really wanted someone for lunch it would have ne problem catching a slow-mov- ing human, | What kind of examples do we set for. young people? When we need to kill things to put our minds at ease, il is a sign that man is not at peace with himself and he is insecure about his place in the world. Wf this is how man will continue to coexist with nature, then 1 pity man. Garry R. Summers North Vancouver Don’t count on everyone to see your tiny black car Dear Editor: To the -young-man in a tiny black car on Sept. 29: Before I. made my left-hand turn | checked up and 1 checked ‘down and | made my turn. You began to bleat from all of a block away. You probably saw my silhouette and knew that f was older. I often experience the rage of the young towards the older now, but I cannot understand it. Then. you found that which | know, that there is indeed plenty of room for you to pass, for 1 am making a second and immediate left-hand turn, : No, you did not: know about that second: turn. I’ know of the ample room, but I do not abuse the knowledge. So where did you come from? Did you roar out of the side street south? Did you race up the hill? Or did your tiny black car ma- terialize out of the ever-black road surface? Do you know that a tiny black car, or a tiny. grey car, is often practically invisible to the most perfect eyesight? Can we include here something about responsibility and account- ability? Yes, because of your raging blast, | shall look anc wait ever more carefully — but don’t you count on everyone everywhere always seeing you in your tiny black car. And remember your tiny black shiny car racing about on rainy black shiny roads. Better keep those headlights on eh? Barbara G. Cook North Vancouver N. Shore News Mailbox policy LETTERS TO the editor must be legible (preferably typewritten) and include your name, full address and telephone number. Due to ‘space constraints the North Shore News cannot publish all letters. Published letters may be edited for brevity, clarity, accuracy, le- gality and taste. Letters can be faxed to 985-3227 but still must be signed and fully addressed. Eagles Go Country Western Saturday, October 16, 1993 Country Dance Lessons 7:30pm to 9:00pm followed by Dancing to "Maple Creek” till 1:00am $ 7 OO per person FRATERNAL ORDER OF EAGLES 170 W. 3rd, North Vancouver 987-8815 NOTICE TO MOTORISTS PORTEAU BLUFFS ROCK SCALING PROJECT SEA-70-SKY HIGHWAY 99 The Ministry of Transportation and Highways advises that there will be delays and closures on the Sea-to-Sky Highway 99 at Porteau Bluffs, 25 km north of y Horseshoe Bay, from Monday, October 18 to Friday, October 29, Delays and DELAYS AND CLOSURES Monday to Thursday 12:30 AM - 3:00 AM (2 & 1/2 hour closure) 3:30 AM - 5:30 AM (2 hour closure) 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM (20 Minute Delays) 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM (20 Minute Delays) 9:30 PM - 12:00 AM (2 1/2 hour closure) Friday 12:30 AM - 3:00 AM (2 & 1/2 hour ciosure) 3:30 AM - 5:30 AM (2 hour closure) 9:00 AM - 12:30 Pi (20 minute delays) There wil! be no scheduled delays on Friday afternoons, weekends, statutory holidays or during voting hours on federal Election day, October 25. Delays and closures for the period between Monday, November 1 and Friday, November 26 will be advertised in advance. | For further information, please contact the Ministry's 24-hour road report at 525- 4997 (Greater Vancouver); 938-4997 (Whistler); 855-4997 (Abbotsforc}; 371-4997 (Kamloops); 860-4997 (Kelowna); 490-4997 (Penticton); 558-4997 (Vernon); *4997 (BC Tel Mobility Cellular and Cantel). : Province of British Columbia Ministry of Transportation and Highways . "Fearless, flawless and simply dazzling!