Editor:
Re: Plenty of pioneers after which to name a new crossing, letter to the editor, Oct. 24
Another motor vehicle crossing in itself is not the answer.
We must design it in keeping with some form of rapid transit and high-speed rail. We must design it to have the least detrimental effect on the ecosystem of the Fraser River just as the George Massey Tunnel was designed.
The Fraser River cannot be just a deep, cement-lined ditch that will allow deep-sea ships to dock at New Westminster and the Fraser-Surrey docks. We already have a deep-sea port at Roberts Bank and we don't need another one.
The Fraser River is the greatest salmon-bearing river in the world and has been recognized as such by the Ramsar designation. Not only does it provide the means for the migration of salmon, but the nutrients at its mouth sustain many shellfish and other species.
The other point of the letter regarding not naming a new river crossing after some political hack, I would hope Cliff Matson is not suggesting my father, George Massey, was a political hack. He was far from it.
Seventy-five years ago my father came to Delta and built a successful marine repair business. He dedicated his life to getting a better crossing of the Fraser River, and died of a massive stroke eight days after the Deas Island Tunnel was built.
In 1967, although Mr. Deas contributed to the development of Delta as many others did, it was felt by many the tunnel should be renamed after George Massey in appreciation of his two decades fighting for its construction, not because he served as MLA for Delta in 1956 in the Social Credit government.
Doug Massey
