Editor,
With respect to the upcoming referendum and in reference to Bryan Raiser's comment in his Cynical Sunshine column in the Feb. 11 edition of the Chief that "...not one person in Squamish would deny the need for those and, of course, other facilities."
I certainly won't deny the need for opportunities for people to participate in activities related to such facilities, but I will deny the need for the proposed full slate of new facilities. Here's why.
A second hockey arena - with everyone wanting to play in prime time, I can see why people involved in hockey and other skating sports would want this. But some regulars at the rink who I've talked to dispute the necessity of this, noting that there are many hours that the rink is unused and that people may need to be more flexible with the hours that they use the rink.
A seniors' centre, an arts centre and a youth gym - I'm going to lump these three together because, in my opinion, existing underused facilities should be used to accommodate these proposed projects.
There are six elementary schools and two secondary schools in Squamish. There are numerous churches.There are facilities owned by the Squamish Nation. Surely some partnerships between the District of Squamish and these other organizations, along with some capital improvements to existing and often underused facilities, should be developed to establish a seniors' centre, an arts centre and a youth gym.
A community trail to link neighborhoods - this one appeared an as interesting afterthought, as it wasn't on the original list of amenities proposed by council.
Perhaps it has something to do with taking some heat from all those outdoor adventure recreationists who supported New Directions last election, and who feel that the council has done little to stake its trademarked claim as the Outdoor Recreation Capital of Canada since being elected almost two and a half years ago.
Trails exist throughout Squamish, thanks mostly to the dedicated volunteers from the Squamish Trails Society and the Squamish Off-Road Cycling Association.
Council hasn't done any trail work previously - sorry, but this sounds to me like damage control and a vote-buying effort.
A track and field facility with an artificial infield that would be used for soccer and football, and ball fields - About a decade ago, the track at Don Ross Secondary School was improved. Too bad it's used so little.
I've talked to school teachers who tell me that kids just aren't interested in track and field. A few show up to practices and meets, while hundreds participate in school mountain bike clubs and races. That's not surprising, as we're considered one of the best, if not the best, mountain biking destinations in North America.
I have yet to meet an adult in Squamish who's interested in participating in track and field.
As for soccer fields, during the 1999 municipal elections, Squamish voters supported borrowing $966,000 to build a slo-pitch field and two all-weather (primarily soccer) multi-purpose fields, which have been built.
The dismally-maintained school fields should be properly looked after so that baseball, soccer and football could be played on them without breaking ankles.
I'll vote "no" in this referendum, as some proper planning and partnerships can accommodate Squamish residents for a fraction of this $20 million price tag, and I encourage others to do the same.
Ron Enns
Squamish
Referendum legal opinion 'cop-out'
Editor,
Who cares what the legal opinion on the facilities referendum is (The Chief, Feb. 18)?
It's a cop-out for our leader and his cohorts to blow more of our money under the guise of estimates.
How were these estimates arrived at? What expert did the math and how can we be sure that all of these facilities will be completed within the parameters of the $20 million? Give us some answers!
Not to belabour the Adventure Centre, God knows there's been so many errors and wrongdoing, but I was informed by a very reliable source that this project didn't even go out to tender. Did the Mayor get a legal opinion on that one first?
Squamish, if you do nothing else, stop this council in their tracks; make them be accountable - vote "no" on Feb. 26.
You know, there's a word for what goes on in our council chambers, either in-camera or otherwise - chicanery (Funk and Wagnall and Webster's definitions - subterfuge, deception, trickery to gain an advantage). This council exercises blatant chicanery.
Ellen M. Elliott
Squamish
TB Vet key tags in the mail
Editor,
We want to remind your readers that their TB Vets Keytags are now in the mail and should be arriving shortly.
Every year, at the end of December, TB Vets mails over 550,000 keytags to the people of 小蓝视频.
These keytags can be used to protect house keys, car keys and anything else that may be on your key ring. Returning lost keys starts with the help of a Good Samaritan.
If you find a set of lost keys bearing the TB Vets Keytag, simply pick up the keys and drop them in any Canada Post mailbox.
Canada Post then returns the keys to TB Vets and we match the keys to the address in our database and return them to their rightful owner. At no cost to you.
Since our start in 1946, TB Vets has returned almost 200,000 sets of keys and provided donations and grants of over $9.5 million to communities throughout 小蓝视频. The majority of our fund raising is done through our keytag campaign.
For more information about TB Vets, 小蓝视频's Keytag Program or how to donate, please call 1-888-874-5626 or visit our website at www.tbvets.org.
John Edwards
TB Vets Volunteer Chairman and WWII Veteran
There are more letters in the newstand copy of The Chief. We welcome letters to the editor. Please send them via email (PREFERRED) to [email protected], fax them to 604-892-8483 or drop them off at The Chief office (38117 Second Avenue) by 5 p.m. Tuesday for Friday's edition. All letters must be signed and include a phone number for verification. Letters of 450 words or less will be run ahead of longer letters. The Chief reserves the right to edit letters for length, clarity, accuracy and legality.
