There are always going to be pros and cons to wherever you are, a fact that was evidenced by a couple of articles in Wednesday's issue of the Optimist.
The downside to small town existence was demonstrated by news that Century Group is relocating its office from Tsawwassen to Surrey City Centre. The development company, which was founded by the late George Hodgins prior to the opening of the George Massey Tunnel more than a half-century ago, had become synonymous with this area and is responsible for developing much of South Delta, Tsawwassen in particular.
Unfortunately, Century, which has been a tremendous corporate citizen in these parts over the years, has effectively outgrown the community. The move early next year to a revitalized downtown Surrey better positions the company in terms of attracting and retaining employees as well as puts it in the centre of a burgeoning development scene.
I'm sure the decision was a difficult one for president Sean Hodgins, although I'm equally certain Century's connection to this place will continue to run deep.
In the end, however, Tsawwassen was no match for a more central location, complete with rapid transit at your doorstep, but, as we all know, there are attributes to this area the rest of the Lower Mainland, including Surrey, can only dream about.
That was made clear a few pages further back in the same issue with a story about how Delta police chief Jim Cessford had been tasked to devise a plan to tackle crime and public safety concerns in Surrey. Mayoral candidate Barinder Rasode had asked our soon-tobe-retired chief to wade into the issue, one that has plagued a city that's doing all it can to shed an unwanted reputation.
It was certainly telling when Rasode asked: "How come we can't be like Delta where no call is too small?" So as Surrey grows into an economic power in the region, our neighbours look enviously to the west when it comes to law and order.
We might not have its might (although with a couple of huge industrial parks and an ever-expanding port, we're certainly not a backwater in that regard), but I think most around here would agree we've got something better.
Tsawwassen may be a little too sleepy and is definitely out of the way, so Century's move is entirely understandable, but what might be viewed as cons from a business perspective can be pros when looked at in another light.
It's just another trade-off in a life full of them.
