Editor, The News:
Re: Maple Ridge needs to fill the gap (Commentary, May 4).
I was strolling down the path this Friday, skipping along, singing a song. Everything was sunshine and lollipops. What a wonderful day in la-la land. Then all of the sudden, my stride was broken by a sawmill. What the heck was this unsightly behemoth doing in my perfect hop along my dreamy Fraser River trail?
So, with a small grey cloud over my lazy journey, I made a short walk around this inexplicable obstruction. Then once again, I broke into song. Whistling and skipping. With my head in the clouds and my mind in neutral, I happily hiked along to the beat of my wonderful song. Then suddenly, I came upon a dock. There were fishermen. And women, too. They impeded my happy trails for a minute or two and I thought this just won’t do. Perhaps our government ought to do something to ensure my trails are without travails. Heck, with a few million, there’s nothing we couldn’t do.
So I exited my happy trail and hunted down my MLA to hound, and for good measure, our mayor, too. Much to my surprise, they informed me, that without the tax generators that come from wood and water we couldn’t fund the ‘happy trails initiative.’
This was bad news for my happy trails dream. How would I make my fantasy of being able to occasionally walk from Vancouver to Hope all along the mighty Fraser, a reality? Well, I became so incensed and told them that if I cannot walk from Vancouver to Hope unimpeded, I would have to hold my nose and vote for someone who cared about my human rights. Oh, how I begged and I pleaded. Yet, they held their ground.
But to ignorance I was bound, and to hell with where our wealth was found. I deserve to at least once, be able to walk from Vancouver to Mission unimpeded. I am, after all, a taxpayer. So off I went on my utopian bent. Looking for supporters to end the irritating industry that threatened my dream and my vent. Unfortunately, I found, that many were directly and indirectly employed by the logging and fishing, as well as other industries that have roots in the river banks. It turns out, the river has been a source of transport and sustenance since the birth of our town. In fact, it’s the first ‘road’ in the area. Just ask the Katzie. They were using it before the Spanish and English thought they ought to claim it.
It’s amazing how disappointing a walk can be. Maybe it’s true. Ignorance is bliss. From now on, I’ll take the high road and avoid so many complications.
Grant Baker
Maple Ridge