Editor, The News:
Re: Maple Ridge wants to grow parking revenue (The News, Jan. 11)
The statements by Mayor Nicole Read and Bob Jones speak volumes as to the foresight and vision they both fail to have for any improvement or development for Maple Ridge.
Mr. Jones states that more parking will be needed “if the downtown develops.”
Mr. Jones, if you build it, they will come.
Stifling of ideas such as layered parking are the very reason Maple Ridge has not seen any significant development in years.
You further state “it seems to be OK at this point.” So let’s leave things as they are and let another decade go by with no new businesses to help the tax base?
“The town hasn’t grown in 26 years” What’s new?” he asked.
We need to look at why?
Mayor Read wants to wait for the B-line, and bus service to Silver Valley.
Why wait?
If you have the facilities already built, you are a step ahead, and more prepared for new businesses and development.
Instead of wanting to fund your pet project of more recreational facilities, Mayor Read, perhaps you and council should get your priorities straightened out and deal with some needs instead of wants.
A good place to start might just be getting garbage pickup in our fair city, and how about some sidewalks down 216th street? Just a couple of reasonable ideas.
And as far as increasing property taxes yearly, that’s simply not sustainable for many reasons, not the least of which is many Maple Ridge home owners are seniors on fixed incomes.
To continue to dig deeper into our pockets, depleting our quality of life and disposable incomes is, as stated, not sustainable.
Work within your budget, like we, the public have to, and look after needs before you begin to look at wants.
John Turner
Maple Ridge