Editor, The News:
Re: Realtors treated like royalty by Ridge (The News, May 18).
I read with pleasure in last Wednesday’s News that on its recent tour to Maple Ridge, the Real Estate Investor Network immediately understood what a wonderful place Maple Ride is to live.
On 132nd Ave, a few short minutes from the downtown core, realtors were able to see that Maple Ridge is about natural beauty, recreation and lifestyle. Development need not destroy these key assets – but it will, unless we begin to recognize and protect what we have.
Development should not take place in isolation but must be part of a larger picture that seeks to preserve our most precious assets. The benefits are abundantly clear – a great place to live and a great place to invest.
For several years, the Alouette Valley Association has been proposing that we upgrade 132nd Ave. and 224th Street for a recreational roadway. The objective is to safely service both the recreational needs of existing residents and the increasing numbers of new people moving into the area, as well as help protect the abundant wildlife that we have in the area. The area is already used extensively by cyclists, horse riders, runners and hikers. But as traffic increases, it is becoming less and less safe to use.
As was obvious to the visiting realtors, the road provides important links to the dikes and major parks of Maple Ridge, and is amazingly close to downtown.
The new multi-use North Alouette Greenway Bridge being built at the end of 136th Street completes the loop and further enhances the concept.
We hope that the visiting realtors have provided the inspiration required to move this much-needed project forward.
Bruce Hobbs
Maple Ridge
Beautification tricks
Editor, The News:
Re: Realtors treated like royalty by Ridge (The News, May 18).
After having read last Wednesday’s front page article, I am now fully able to understand my latest outrageous tax bill. As you can imagine, I am bubbling over with happiness that the famed realtor/developer bus tour went off without a hitch. I only wish my home had been on the route. I would have liked to have seen their dollar-sign eyeballs steaming up the bus windows as they rounded the corner into my neighborhood. Panic would surly have ensued as the tour guides noticed the RVs proudly parked in their driveways. And like the Grinch who stole Christmas, they would have to think up a distraction and think it up quick, so as not to spoil the affects of their much toiled over beautification tricks.
Susan Webb
Maple Ridge