Skip to content

Proud to defend his 'hood

Editor: Re: Bay must defend itself, letter to the editor, Aug. 19 I am extremely happy that people read my letter and formed their own opinions. It's important that we express our opinions to all that are willing to listen.

Editor:

Re: Bay must defend itself, letter to the editor, Aug. 19

I am extremely happy that people read my letter and formed their own opinions. It's important that we express our opinions to all that are willing to listen.

First of all, let me address the label of NIMBYism. If anyone reads the papers, listens to the radio and TV, they would be well aware that this phrase is used everywhere by everyone.

Whenever there is a proposal that people don't like, they speak their mind about their concerns, which is fantastic and the right thing to do. If I am being labeled as doing this, so be it.

I stand accused and plead guilty as charged and proud of it and I will always do what I feel is best for my neighborhood. And I believe that everyone should be the same way.

Speak up for what you believe. I did state in my letter that no neighborhood should have to have anything forced on them, not just the Bay. To clear another point, the residents of the bay are residents like everyone else in Delta, not cottagers. There is no pain or anguish in my letter just well thought out concerns by a long-term resident.

Comparing Ladner Village, which is a beautiful town core setup, made up of businesses, to a bedroom community makes no sense. Sorry they are different like night and day.

When it comes to the mention of stagnation, that happens everywhere off and on, no matter how big the area is. I have been taught by very smart business people that in business (which this is all about) and in life there is a point where you must draw a line.

I did state that change is inevitable but not all change is for the good. And I firmly believe that this latest proposal is where I draw that line. Businesses come and go all the time.

We already have enough of a population base to support the businesses in town. When people mention about seniors and young couples leaving our area due to no housing, take a good look around.

Prices are very high, for everyone. I really don't see seniors, young couples or anyone for that matter, moving to Tsawwassen for the affordable housing.

If again you watch the real estate in our area, everything that is built is at market value, nothing is ever built for seniors, or lower income people.

Everything is built to what the market will bare and that is a well know business principal. Any housing built on the Southlands will be priced accordingly, so the argument that there is no housing for them is very tainted.

Century is in business to make money, not to make more affordable housing where their margins are much lower. Build it and they will come, those that can afford it, and everything will sell. But the young people and seniors who need help in this area will still be on the outside looking in, which is a shame and wrong.

And last of all, it's not just Boundary Bay that is having it's say on the Southlands, it's everybody in Delta, you included.

Rod Maksym