Editor, The News:
Re: Dave’s World comes to an end (The News, June 13).
I, along with many Maple Ridge residents, are much saddened by the news of Dave Alexander’s passing.
To us, Dave was the clown prince of Maple Ridge. His desire to just ‘do his own thing’ was like a ray of light shining in the turgid greyness emanating from the mental midgets inhabiting municipal hall.
I only had the pleasure of meeting Dave on two occasions, once when we met on the Victoria ferry, Dave being on his way to plead with his MLA to get council of his back (futile), and again at his “emporium” on Lougheed Highway.
On the second occasion I was driving with my sister and her family, visiting from UK, when my sibling insisted on stopping to peruse this roadside attraction. On returning to our transport, we discovered that dear sister had persuaded Dave to, reluctantly, hand over, in return for the princely sum of $6, a rather tired and scruffy plaster casting of an eagle. Sister was less than amused by her husband and brother’s reaction, which consisted of hoots of derisive laughter and numerous negative comments regarding the quality of her purchase.
I am reminded of Dave to this day every time I visit my sister’s home in a 300-year-old stone cottage nestled in a Cumbrian fell. There, amongst the tasteful antiques and family heirlooms, sits this tacky plaster bird looking like a refugee from a 1950s Vancouver boarding house.
Dave’s big mistake, of course, was to challenge authority at a time when Maple Ridge was ruled by a right-wing council. At the same time, he was getting enough votes, when running for mayor, to create a feeling of unease amongst the ruling class. The method of Dave’s removal made Maple Ridge the laughing stock of Canada.
Dave will be missed, for different reasons by different people, but missed nevertheless.
John Cochran
Maple Ridge