Editor, The News:
Re: Absurd to sue people who are doing good (Letters, May 15).
What is absurd to me is the suggestion that a property owner should not be accountable for following the rules and regulations that apply to everyone in their community.
Would it be OK if the Robsons ignored zoning and bylaw regulations on their residential/ALR property in order to operate a scrap yard, gravel pit or a garbage dump if they declared that the ‘proceeds’ were going to charity?
In the past, I believe, Mr. Robson has stated that Maple Ridge needs to diversify it’s tax base by attracting business and creating more jobs. If he means by building and operating a businesses on residential land, then I think I might consider getting 40 or 50 chickens for my quarter-acre lot. To make my neighbours feel good about the fact that I am ignoring the rules that are only meant for others, I will donate some of the eggs to the food bank and some of the manure to my local community garden.
My donations would make a good story for the newspaper, then uninformed people will write and submit letters of support. This support would likely increase the demand for my charity-destined eggs and manure, and I could then, to the pleasure of my neighours, expand my business further, all for the benefit of others.
And don’t forget because I am doing all of this activity on residential land, I would not have to pay any business tax.
If you are interested in making an informed decision on this or any other matter in our community, please call or email one of our council members.
Please don’t base your opinions on some cheap photo op positioned with the thoughts of someone who is only telling part of a story.
Angie Rowell
Maple Ridge