Editor, The News:
Re: Fears of another campground (Letters, Aug. 13).
I applaud Paul English in that he speaks for the silent majority on a number of serious issues facing our community.
From the crime problems resulting from the location of the Caring Place to the choking traffic resulting from runaway development with no planned expressways, to the lack of local shopping.
The city planners, council and mayor are either completely out of touch with citizens’ needs and concerns or lack the will to make the tough decisions for change.
You only have to look at Abbotsford, where the council refused to grant zoning for a proposed homeless shelter in their downtown core despite media pressure.
With a few exceptions, status quo appears to be the accepted level of performance for our council.
Our taxes (include our 12 cents a litre for TransLink) continue to rise at a pace above inflation levels, yet our services and quality of life in Maple Ridge slip.
Who can honestly say Maple Ridge is a better place to live than it was 15-20 years ago?
Growth and change is inevitable, but is has to be done with vision and a holistic plan.
The city planners and council have allowed ad hoc development and have taken the path of least resistance and the result is the mess we have today.
Wholesale changes are needed, as Maple Ridge is quickly becoming unlivable.
Garrick Jay
Maple Ridge
Downtrodden
Editor, The News:
Re: Homeless number getting ‘crazy’ (Letters, Aug. 13).
What’s unfortunate is that you or I or Maple Ridge council can’t do anything about it.
It has turned into a political nightmare and no one wants to put their neck on the line to say that it’s wrong.
Social groups all stand up and say how good they have done for society, which is far from the truth.
The problem is most of the homeless are not from around here and these organizations continue to say they are local people, which is wrong.
We are attracting more and more homeless people by the day. Most of them are doing drugs, stealing and doing property crimes.
These organizations have devalued property and have no regard for the residences that surround them.
These organizations talk in the paper, but do not complete their actions.
Tourists, visitors, friends and family have all commented on what a disgrace the downtown has turned into.
I have lived here most of my life and I know when the Salvation Army moved in on that corner, things changed.
The so-called do-gooders should be ashamed of themselves as they promote these homeless people to come in and enjoy the welcome mat, live in the bush all while getting fed and watered.
The answer is to remove these organizations from the town core, look after our own community and not the vagrants from other communities.
It wouldn’t be out of line to create a facility and get help or counselling, making it totally accessible for people to use away from downtown town, where people work and live.
What we have right now is the perfect location for them to access everything and be in the heart of the downtown core, which is great for their drug dealing and whatever else.
M. Isaaks
Maple Ridge