Mirror manufactures CommunAuto controversy

In his article on CommunAuto and its founder, Claire Morissette ["Socially conscious driving for fun and profit," May 7], Philip Preville has unfortunately set back the cause of car sharing in Montreal by looking for controversy where there is only foresight and sacrifice.

Morissette seemed vaguely embarrassed about how much money she has earned in the past three years because of how little it is, not how much. She has basically been putting in 80-hour weeks for less than minimum wage. If Preville is going to start pointing the finger at people who earn a salary from a private business, why doesn't he start by divulging his own salary?

CommunAuto is a private company rather than a co-op because of certain undeniable difficulties that the co-op structure has in growing and running something as complicated as a 20-car sharing organization. Morissette has worked at well below minimum wage in order to plow all the revenue back into expanding CommunAuto, which would be impossible in a co-op structure where employees must be paid at least minimum wage. Perhaps Preville would care to explain why the Mirror isn't a co-op anymore?

Preville's conclusion that CommunAuto encourages more driving is false. The fee structure became a bit complex as efforts were made to accommodate the needs of various members, but the key point is that every extra kilometre costs you a minimum of 15 cents and $1.50 an hour, which is still a lot more than the gas a private car owner has to pay to drive that extra kilometre. The idea is that all the costs of operating an automobile get charged to you each time you drive, encouraging you to drive as little as possible. The car owner, who has already bought the car, paid the registration, insurance and possibly parking fee, has only gas prices to discourage him.

Preville's search for controversy and greed is commendable in a journalist, but I suggest that he hone his instinct on where the big money and power are in our society, which is neither CommunAuto nor the Mirror. How about an article about those well-known oligopolies the banks or the big oil companies closing branches and stations in Montreal in order to increase already huge profits, throwing people out of work and leaving empty buildings and lots all over town?

--Peter McQueen
CommunAuto member

Celine doesn't deserve award

Is there anyone who sees a non sequitur in Celine Dion being given a purple heart? You have here a kid who dropped out of school, doesn't know beans beyond singing and flipping burgers at a nostalgia dump whose prices are not in sync with the times, and needs dozens of backup performers to stroke her ego--and she's a bleached blonde to top it all! Somehow, being a supporter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation doesn't make for a goddess. If she really wants to be worthy of anything but a black heart, let her walk the downtown core on Sundays or visit our pothole-riddled corners--or make her our mayor!

Your voice isn't enough, kiddo--you owe the entire city your butt! But I'll settle for a white pantsuit and toenails painted black.

--Robert Pariseau

City sucking dog owners dry

Ah yes, "spring has sprung" and we dog owners are yet again outlaws in the eyes of the MUC Police. We've been warned now that our first city fine for having our dog off a leash in the park, or on a city street, will be $135, and that we can get up to five tickets in one day. After five tickets our case will graduate to being a criminal offence. We have now become outlaws because Muffy, Rex and Ringo want to play in the park.

I worked in municipal politics in another city as an office clerk. I began to understand a few things being around that environment. My guess is that the MUC is looking at us dog owners as potential revenue for the city budget. We will pay and/or do just about anything to protect our faithful loving pets. We're perfect targets. Remember the recent article in the Mirror about how Montreal no longer receives any funding from lotteries, or any other place except property taxes ["Giving city hall the shaft," March 26]? Montreal is broke and desperate. It's sad. It's not a community as far as I, and some other dog owners, are concerned.

I also want to mention that our group is very dedicated to scooping our pups' poop. We let each other know if our dog is seen pooping. I myself ask fellow dog owners to scoop their dog's poop when I see them not doing so. Some of them still don't comply. Focus on them, fine them. Let us law abiding dog owners breathe and live in "Montréal c'est toi ma ville."

--Andrea Rudolph