EDITOR,
The Paradise Trails saga continues. Your newspaper is performing a critical public function, as without the article ("Project delay frustrates residents," Chief, March 4), the citizens of Squamish would have no way of knowing what's been going on at Squamish City Hall. I am certain if the people of Squamish had any idea of how their money is being wasted they would march down to City Hall in complete and total disgust and lock the doors! We believe strongly that the current councillors have been kept in the dark, thus thwarting the democratic will and contributing to the negative reputation of Squamish in the investment community. Hopefully, by exposing the situation, citizens of Squamish and city councillors will start to question what has transpired.
On Oct. 8, 2008, the last council voted 5-2 in favour of our project. Three hundred and fifty citizens expressed their written support and many more attended public meetings and the official public hearing to speak in favour of the project. Only Greg Gardner and Patricia Heintzman voted against it. Voting in favour of the project went against the recommendations of the planning department, which has been trying to go against the directive of council ever since. The last mayor and council recognized the rural, green nature of Paradise Trails and how it would bring to Squamish $48 million in taxes, with little cost, as well as other economic spin-offs, as well as many other outstanding benefits including eight kilometres of public trails.
We urge citizens, no matter what your opinion is of our project, who are in favour of fair treatment to contact the mayor and council and help us change the situation.
Mr. Ramsay must have had a brief memory lapse when he made the statement, "It's with the developer who's failed to deliver in a timely manner what is required" and when he says, "(Michael Goodman) expects us to turn it around from our end within days." What else could explain him forgetting the incredibly organized 500-page binder of our consultant's reports, which was provided to the district on June 3, 2010? These complex and expensive reports met all the requirements as defined by the DOS. We waited patiently for a response from the DOS. Our many calls and emails went unanswered. Finally, on Sept. 15, we formally complained to Mr. Ramsay. He arranged a meeting which took place on Sept. 30, 2010, almost four months after our submission. DOS staff has not followed through on promises made at that meeting and continue to introduce new criteria.
The details of how we've been stalled by district staff and given the run-around are absolutely incredible and far too long to include here. Our team of top-notch professionals would appreciate an opportunity to tell more about our project and experiences. Please contact us directly if you'd like to know more about the problems we've encountered. We also welcome any opportunity to address your questions or concerns.
We sincerely believe our project will help Squamish achieve the goal of being the Outdoor Recreation Capital of Canada! To learn more about the benefits and to sign our online petition to council, please visit our website: www.paradisetrails.ca.
Michael Goodman,
Project Manager, [email protected]
Vancouver
