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Kuntz points out in his well-documented report that on Jan. 18, 2010, the Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services issued a departmental directive giving vehicles such as police cars, ambulances and fire trucks discretion to turn off their sirens late at night in high-density residential areas while responding to emergency events. Many cities around the world have adopted or are in the process of adopting fact-based solutions to reduce emergency siren noise pollution — Montreal, New York, London, Paris, San Francisco, to name a few. What will it take for our city to start taking action on this debilitating intrusion into our daily lives?

David Shurvell, Vancouver

Need insurance competition

Re: Closing ICBC not the answer

Bill Richardson’s defence of ICBC is ridiculous in every sense. His explanation of “assigned risk” carries no water at all. My daughters, who were both taught to drive by Young Drivers of Canada and who have never gotten into an accident while holding a Class 5, are still paying over three times what I pay.

The last several years, every time their insurance goes down five per cent for safe driving, ICBC raises rates so they end up saving nothing. ICBC has got to go, or at least open the markets to some proper competition including basic coverage.

Steve McGuire, Duncan

Taxpayers’ fatigue

I am writing to complain about taxpayers having no control or veto power to force their elected mayor and councillors to get back to reality with their ridiculous property tax increases. They need to cut the frills and get back to looking after the basic services needed.

There is a need for an independent taxpayers’ advocate office within each jurisdiction to arbitrate unrealistic tax increases. My own experience last year was supposed to be a 3.5- to four-per-cent increase. Fair enough, but when I got my tax bill it was up 13.2 per cent. I was not happy, but there is no recourse but to pay.

J. Klaboe, Langley

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