Open letter to all of the Yukon’s many political parties:
It’s election time again. Will this ever be over, the long lines of candidates pounding on my door?
Does every campaign promise need to have some form of financial reward attached to it? How about some real issues. Recently in the news, we are all aware of the three-year-old BC boy who went missing. He was miraculously returned, though this is often not the case. The boy’s father spoke out against a failed justice system that allows sexual predators to roam free to offend again.
The Yukon is no different; some of the headlines from our cozy little community could easily be movies of the week.
How about the waterbed killer now being copycatted in Florida? In case you’ve forgotten, the victim was murdered, then stuffed under a waterbed until the smell was too bad.
Four, maybe five years later, who is wandering the streets of Whitehorse free to do it again? Sounds harsh maybe, but how about addressing some real issues, candidates, like having real judges who are Yukoners and not some visitor from the Alberta bench?
The answer to our local justice problem? Let’s build a new jail. Really, it looks more like a spa with a little of the Crystal Cathedral thrown in. Jail cells with windows? (Don’t get me started.)
The Honourable Darrell Pasloski? Do we need to address him as honourable? He’s yet to win an election. Though I actually feel he is a strong candidate.
How about speaking out about some real issues, not just repeating Yukon Party rhetoric. Issues like justice and the security of my children.
Yes, protect the Peel. But how about my grandchildren?
When did this country fall apart and the victim of a violent crime is no longer the victim? The victim is now the poor offender who had a tough childhood.
Wake up, people. This is happening our backyard. Recently, a leader of a community in the Yukon beat a young girl almost to death, with so much blood on the scene the local police were looking for a body.
News flash: he didn’t even have to step down from his leadership position. His defence? I had a hard childhood, but I’m getting help.
It is time for Yukoners to take a stand!
You want my vote? You better have some real answers to real problems that affect my community.
To start with, how about jail time that fits the crime.
Candidates, you need to stop pandering with financial promises and tackle the real issues.
Postscript: With the proliferation of political parties in the Yukon, I think the Yukon News should enter a party.
Greg Ducharme
Whitehorse