Editor, The News:
Maple Ridge Mayor Ernie Daykin, captain of this rudderless ship of a community, expresses that tolls on all major crossings, including the Pitt River Bridge, as stated by J. Labelle, would be acceptable and could be considered.
It is the crowning glory of what most of the Maple Ridge’s councils that have passed our way over the 25-plus years I have lived here, have as their legacy.
Mayor Daykin won’t be affected by such a proposal unless a toll is applied on the route to municipal hall.
But you can bet many others would be, and, no, I am not convinced it’s cheaper to live here.
My taxes have continued to rise steadily over the past few years and I have little to nothing extra to show for it.
We, here on Morris Street, have no sidewalks or street lights, but have blue box collection, two street cleanings a year, the odd snow clearing and Zellers as our shopping anchor store to show for the past 25 years of growth.
The district has wasted millions on no less than two revitalizations of the 224th Street corridor and the municipal hall area. How many times can you address this and end up looking much the same?
The mayor also forgets that toll routes are supposed to be an option to a longer, less economical and convenient route, at least that’s my understanding in most parts of the world I have visited.
As for the upset Hammond residents, I couldn’t agree more with Mr. Phillips. I have seen the monstrosity of a sidewalk on the west end of Lorne Avenue. It’s hard to miss.
But don’t despair, I watched for two years the end result of the River Road east of Darby Street reconstruction, and the engineering genius carried out there is mind boggling.
The residents on the south side benefited from the storm sewer addition for sure, but the area for pedestrians certainly didn’t. After all that time, inconvenience and expense there is still nowhere safe to walk.
And this is a pedestrian route to the West Coast Port Haney Station, with no parking.
It should have a proper safe sidewalk. But the poles on the street’s north side by Carr Street have warning signs on them. Never even moved them back and now the residents are allowed to put boulders on the area of their street side property line – a real safety concern, one would think.
What makes it more infuriating is the recent work completed on 227th Street. Seemed to be a perfectly adequate street for a Cessna to land on, but, no, apparently the sidewalks weren’t good enough for this area. They are now with corner calming, I expect, and now you can drive a flatbed truck on them.
What gives when narrow stone/gravel sidewalks are the norm for River Road and Lorne Avenue and God knows where else.
Can someone in Maple Ridge public works explain the disparity of need and necessity.
We all pay the same. There is definitely a bias here and it’s time people expressed their concern for what they are not getting in return for their share of the tax burden.
The mandate that current and past councils continue with was never given by me as I never voted for any of the past council members, including the current mayor. I am of the firm opinion that no one who has ties to land sale and/or development should ever be allowed to run for a council seat.
It is not mentioned in malice or in accusation, I was hoping for newer, fresher blood and ideas.
Unfortunately I was only successful with one.
Maple Ridge deserves better.
Ron Thomey
Maple Ridge