Editor:
Re: East Ladner resident would like coffee shop in neighbourhood, letter to the editor, Feb. 24
As a resident of Ladner for almost 30 years and East Ladner for over 27 of them, I would like to congratulate Mayor Lois Jackson and councillors Sylvia Bishop, Jeannie Kanakos and Heather King for their no votes on the Tim Hortons proposal.
In the face of ever-growing pressures of greed and development, it takes great strength to look at the people who may be affected and just say, "Enough."
Since the building of the South Fraser Perimeter Road, myself and neighbours who live on or close to Ladner Trunk Road have been facing ever-increasing traffic volume, both cars and heavy trucks, and rampant speeding. We have been quietly working with the Delta police to resolve some of these problems and the last thing we need is an added reason for non-residents to use us a short cut on their commute home.
One of the reasons we moved to East Ladner is that we like our neighbours to be only farms, cows and trains. The farmers have always been incredibly respectful of neighbourhoods and seasonal disruptions are brief.
I used to wake my girls in the middle of the night to watch the huge harvesters going down the road, and we love the lack of commercialism on this side of Ladner. If you wish to walk to stores, you need to buy in west Ladner.
Let us not forget in the 1970s Richmond was the size that Ladner was about 10 to 15 years ago, and without strong leadership I fear we may end up in the same way.
By the way, if the Camerons would like to walk to get a coffee they are welcome to come by my house and I will make them one any time. And if they want a job within walking distance, the Co-op and cold beer and wine store are always hiring.
L. Mathews
