Re: “Business group calling for rapid action to save downtown,” June 12.

In publishing the Jeff Bray Downtown Victoria Business Association article, the Times Colonist has just shared the most important front-page story I have read in the paper in several years. It is clear to anyone who frequents our downtown that we have a very serious problem that is well-discussed in the article. I am frankly surprised that the Downtown Victoria Business Association has not spoken out more about this previously, and I am also surprised that there is not more involvement from our Chamber of Commerce in this matter.

As Bray rightly points out, the Downtown Victoria Business Association is a marketing organization. However, without a market to sell into, his organization becomes irrelevant.

I would also like to hear more from our downtown landlords because when tenants stop renewing leases they, too, will suffer the economic results.

Due to homelessness and drug abuse, our beautiful city is in a dismal state of affairs and is sliding ever downward — the recent Globe and Mail article nailed it. Our civic leadership, both municipally and provincially, is struggling to take the necessary action. We need some tough love administered before it is too late.

Nick Gudewill

Oak Bay

Around May 25, I spotted a charcoal fire on the beach at Dallas Road and Boyd Street. Serendipitously, a block away at Dallas and Lewis, I spotted a sign with a number for calling in beach fires. I tried the number, 250-391-6624, only to find it didn’t work.

I emailed Victoria Fire Department (vfd@victoria.ca) about the matter a few days later when I remembered it, using my “Internet........

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