Editor, The News:
Out of the blue, without cost-benefit studies, without releasing financial numbers and solid business plans, without public consultations, without any negotiations, both mayors decided to split the parks and recreation between Pitt Meadows and Maple Ridge.
Why?
Are egos the main reason that the mayors do not see eye to eye?
Maple Ridge wants to borrow heavily on the capital project of building the new swimming pool and other recreation facilities.
Given the track records of both councils, splitting parks and recreation, we all should take a second look before voting on this.
Mayor Becker and the Pitt Meadows council did not release any concrete figures, either. Will it be better off to operate parks and recreation on their own, align with Port Coquitlam or be back with Maple Ridge?
The voters demand figures for cost and benefits on both sides instead of silence or rhetoric.
Tell us, the people of Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows, the real reason why parks and recreation needs to be separated without negotiations?
Woody Tam
Maple Ridge