Opinion

Dear Editor, It makes no sense to base the 2017 residential property taxes on the July 2016 inflated housing market peak when prices have clearly since dropped and are expected to fall even further in 2017.

By the time you read this, I’ll be joyful and grateful for all the blessings in my life. I will be filled with laughter and love for those around me ­— and those who aren’t. I will be at peace and attuned to the magic of Christmas Eve.

Dear Editor, Re: Poppies on Street Signs a Waste, Letters Dec. 21. There is a street sign in Richmond with a poppy on it honouring my uncle. I missed the article in the Richmond News on Dec.

Dear Editor, Today, I listened to one of my favourite Christmas songs. It is about a child who “wants a hippopotamus for Christmas;” it is about a child’s faith in an old man who drives a sleigh through Christmas night, delivering wonderful gifts.

Dear Editor, The year, 2016, is just about over and a brand new year will be on the horizon soon. This year has been rather exceptional for Richmond. There have been many issues, celebrations and controversies.

According a recent BMO report on charitable giving, 52 per cent of wealthy Canadians choose to donate to charities to which they have a personal connection.

The Richmond News’ Book Club team ­from Richmond Public Library — Helen Varga, Steven McCreedy, Rachel Rosenberg, Christine McCrae and Lee Anne Smith — have some festive suggestions for last-minute gifts.

Christmas is the time of lights. Colourful lights are everywhere and with daylight in such short supply, it seems we are in darkness more than not.

Back in the good old days, families would take axe in hand, trek into the local forest and cut down the perfect Christmas tree.

Gift-giving must be one of our oldest rituals. I’ll bet cave dwellers already indulged in it, making a present of pretty pebbles or seashells.