It's too bad that whomever came up with the name of this newspaper couldn't see more people talk about good things that happen in, or are available in, our community. From politics to infrastructure issues and from developments to the environment, there has been a plethora of divisive negativity in our community for a very long time and I think people are becoming blind to it.
Recently, friends of mine have offered up potential new names for the paper based on the overwhelming content of late. They have suggested the likes of the Huntington Post or the Massey Gazette.
Before Mayor Lois Jackson retires, and the inevitable shake up that will ensue around our council table, I think our municipal governors should pass a bylaw suggesting that citizens of Delta have to take an hour long walk on the dike, at Watershed Park, at Deas Island Regional Park or Boundary Bay Regional Park once a month.
They would have to relax, regard and reflect on just how lucky they are to live here. Maybe then they could describe their new found awareness in a letter to the editor to support the name of our paper.
We are incredibly lucky to live here despite the perceived assault on our quality of life. I chuckle to myself when I read letters from people who lament the idea of six-storey monstrosities being built in our midst. Seriously? Remember the palm tree intrusion? That was a beauty.
I know that good news isn't necessarily great for the newspaper business, but it would be nice to read something optimistic every once in a while.
I realize that our geography presents a multitude of challenges when it comes to major infrastructure buildout, but I am also not naive enough to believe that we could be completely insulated from growth. I can't think of anywhere in the Western world where growth and change are exempt from our life cycles. Preventing change seems to have been a guiding principle around here for way too long.
I can hardly wait for the bridge to replace the George Massey Tunnel and I hope that I can downsize in my own community and move to the Southlands or Tsawwassen Springs one day.
The South Fraser Perimeter Road saves me time and money and I am happy that government is keeping our economy strong by working to ensure we have adequate infrastructure to facilitate trade in the Pacific Rim and elsewhere.
Despite local efforts to stop a third berth at Deltaport, the construction of the SFPR, power lines, and other contentious South Delta issues, government has acted. I trust government and cabinet to make these difficult decisions for us. Parliamentary democracy has served us well for a long time.
Obviously, not everyone will agree with decisions governments make, but in general, I don't see that the decisions are being made hastily, and I have faith that the inner circle of cabinet make pragmatic choices they feel are best for all British Columbians.
Where we live, it is important to have representation in government to mitigate any potential damage to our farmland or sensitive environmental areas. I am Optimistic for the future. Mike Schneider is founder of Project Pickle and likes to write about growing, cooking and eating food. He is a Jamie Oliver Food Revolution ambassador.
