Reporting that matters
Just writing to let you know that despite all the bad press you’ve gotten for Genesee Keevil’s drug articles I think you are trying to get something real out.
These are somewhat uncharted territories for local news, and I was at first surprised to find such a story.
It’s a subject that is raw and hard to digest, and I guess you probably expected such letters as ‘pathetic’, telling you that you ought to concentrate on more ‘family-oriented’ news; about the small businesses, volunteer efforts, Discovery Day, etc.
Hopefully, you don’t get too discouraged with such backlash. I dunno, maybe you don’t even care about it, but in either case, I think you’re on to something that few people have the courage to tread.
Keep writing about that truth that so many people try to ignore.
Dietrich LeClerc
Dawson City
Protect new home buyers
I am writing this letter in response to the leader of the third party Todd Hardy’s questioning of the current government regarding “more extensive warranties on new toasters than on new homes.”
This is a very serious and complex situation.
New homebuyers are in a very precarious position. The need to provide shelter for families and the need to lock investment into stable assets are strong motivating forces.
I feel there should be some measure of protection for the predominately young families entering the housing market.
Most of these people are making the biggest purchase of their entire lives. Thousand-dollar bills are thrown around like confetti in the final stages of many real estate deals.
There should be some degree of protection for the new home buyer in this equation. The people buying new homes are not certified, qualified tradesmen. The people building homes work in a highly competitive industry.
The builders of new homes have taken pride in their work, agreed to warranty problems up to five years, and set guidelines to ensure that problem houses are fixed.
Some builders are given the chance to repair problems; some move on.
When industry sets its own goals and boundaries, this can mean there are expectations put onto others in the contracting community and they are obliged to clean up and be responsible for their homes.
This may influence the culture of the home-building community, weed out some of the underachievers, bring about the pride and confidence that the new home builders could show.
I don’t know if such a thing as a home builders’ association exists here but if it does, I would like to hear its comments.
I’m sure the consumers would too.
Neil Johnson
Teslin
