Editor,
I cannot believe the ignorance of the residents of Vista Crescent and Northridge Drive in their refusal to allow affordable housing in their neighbourhood ("Neighbours quash plan for three new houses," The Chief, June 24).
Compact lots are the wave of the future (making a comeback from the early part of the 20th century) and an excellent way of providing attractive, affordable single family housing in communities where traditional large lot single-family development is or is becoming expensive.
Mixed housing forms is an integral part of a sustainable community. An excellent example of compact housing development in a traditional suburban single-family neighbourhood is along the Fraser River in the Queensborough area of New Westminster. Over 200 homes on lots ranging from 2,000 to 3,000 square feet have been integrated into a suburban neighbourhood where lots typically were in the order of 8,000 square feet.
The NIMBY (not in my backyard) attitude is a shot in the arm for a community that plans to grow using smart growth initiatives. It also reconfirms a lack of progressive thinking of long time residents within the community.
Squamish is changing whether the existing residents like it or not. Good luck in the future!
Michael Oord
Vancouver
MLA's 'mistakes'
Editor,
I am writing this letter somewhat belatedly as it concerns the recent announcement of Gordon Campbell's cabinet. Conspicuously absent are any MLAs from the North Shore. Among these is BC Liberal MLA Joan McIntyre (West Vancouver Garibaldi).
Ms. McIntyre, you may remember, was critical of polling conducted by my private polling firm prior to the election. One specific poll concerned the issue over a proposed highway through Eagle Ridge Bluffs in West Vancouver. Ms. McIntyre made two significant mistakes, which may have contributed to the MLA's from North Shore being designated 'lumber' in the BC Liberal, government's second caucus.
First, it is unwise, even stupid to criticize a pollster. It is most unwise when the pollster turns out to be accurate as ROBBINS was in West Vancouver Garibaldi. Our baseline question on the Campbell Liberals showed 49 per cent support. Ms. McIntyre received 50 per cent.
In the weeks leading up to the provincial election Transportation Minister Kevin Falcon indicated that the work on the proposed highway needed to get under way immediately. However, after our poll was published no contract was signed and no work has commenced. Granted, there is an outstanding legal challenge and there is the discovery of an eagle's nest in that region both compelling reasons not to proceed.
In my opinion, Ms. McIntyre's biggest mistake was to personalize her attack on my polling firm's reputation. Not only have we been the only firm in the world to accurately predict the U.S. presidential election, we also forced a Vancouver city plebiscite (that Premier Campbell said he would never hold), we forced three RAV votes, we knocked off the proposed sale of the Coquihalla and we accurately predicted the most recent B.C. provincial election outcome and the STV outcome. Robbins is the 21st century version of the 'canary in the mine' and Ms. McIntyre forgot she was no longer a researcher but a burgeoning politician.
Gordon Campbell was smart (in our opinion) in his cabinet selection. A number of senior posts went to MLAs from Vancouver. Residents in Vancouver also own significant property in Whistler so there is a natural link.
Now certainly many could argue that Joan McIntyre is a rookie, Katherine Whittred is no longer on the Cabinet short list, and there is water under the bridge with Daniel Jarvis, but what about Ralph Sultan? Surely this fellow is cabinet material, and certainly the North Shore of Vancouver would qualify as a BC Liberal regional stronghold.
There is no doubt, I believe, that Joan McIntyre's election "mistakes" hurt her North Shore colleagues when cabinet posts were being decided; the question is how much?
Glen P. Robbins
Robbins SCE Research
Thanks to media riders
Editor,
On behalf of the Rotary Club of Squamish, I would like to thank Lynn Pasko, Rebecca Hall, and Bianca Peters for their contribution in helping make the Linda Carney-Rotary Cares Challenge a huge success this year.
Their media challenge helped to elevate the awareness of this worthwhile cause. The Linda Carney-Rotary Cares Fund was developed to help people who have medical needs that fall outside the scope of MSP coverage. The financial assistance offered can be for anything from medications to wheelchairs to whatever will make a person's day-to-day living easier. Access to this aid is through their physician.
I would to also thank The Chief, Mountain FM, and Shaw Channel 10 for their coverage of this event. I know that the media coverage increased the community awareness of the Challenge, which helped to make it a huge success this year. We were very pleased that the three media outlets chose to help to promote this event, and helped to educate people on the need for this program in this community.
Once again, thank you all for your efforts. It was very much appreciated.
Lino Vanzella
Chair, Rotary Cares Celebrity Challenge
Thanks from the Gardeners
Editor,
The Squamish Gardeners would like to thank the 10 garden owners who graciously offered their gardens for the tour this year. The Squamish Garden Club members and the ticket purchasers appreciated the friendly atmosphere and hard work of the ten owners.
A special thanks and appreciation are extended to Garibaldi Nurseries, Studio 99, Mountainview Landscape Supply, Wild Turkey Nursery, Mostly Books, Mountain Building Centre, Evea Spa, The Garden Center, Home Hardware, the Beehive Hair Salon, Xocolatl, and the West Coast Railway Heritage Park for their generous donations for the raffle. The winners of the raffle were Judith Quiring, Sarah Clarke, Nairn Stewart, Irena Erdos, Kylee Fourchalk, Anne Bracey, Barb Peterson, Marina McMaster, Judy Dickson, Lise Hamilton, Itoko Onishi, and Sheila Hurford. The raffle draw was held at Gelato Carina, the refreshment stop of the tour. Thanks to Greg and Carina for their contribution to the tour.
Many thanks to the 42 volunteers who made the seventh annual Squamish Garden Tour such a success!
Eleanor Bowcock
The Squamish Gardeners
Design guidelines not newEditor,
Your story in the July 1 edition of The Chief on Thunderbird Creek ("Huge weekend for real estate") stated: "It will be the first project in Squamish to institute design guidelines, with purchasers required to conform to one of three different building styles."
You may be surprised but Valleycliffe Plateau had design guidelines when it was first developed, wood siding and cedar shake roofing had to be used, and vinyl siding and asphalt shingles were banned. Of course that was forgotten over the years.
Gordon Anderson
Vancouver
Restorative Justice justified
Editor,
Steven Hill's June 10 editorial "Crying Wolf" recounts instances of false claims made to the RCMP. He wrote: "These latter-day wolf-criers all need to be made to pay for their fibs, both socially and monetarily. [Some] were charged..., but the young boy will only go through the restorative justice program." The purpose of this letter is to address the "but...only" reference to Restorative Justice, which seems to imply that this is an inadequate response to an offence.
Restorative Justice is an alternative measure under the Youth Criminal Justice Act. The RCMP, with the agreement of those harmed (the victims) and the acknowledged guilt of the offender, can refer to Restorative Justice in lieu of criminal court proceedings.
Restorative Justice centres on a Resolution Conference. The conference is a structured meeting that brings together the victim, the offender, their families and key supporters. Trained, neutral facilitators conduct the conference with RCMP members often present.
Such a conference is not an easy process for the offender. In front of family and friends, the offender explains directly to the person harmed what was done and why. The offender hears and sees the impact of those harmful actions on the victim, the victim's family and, very significantly, on the offender's own family and friends. The offender is face-to-face with the consequences of the harmful actions.
The offender is required to make amends as requested by the victim and agreed to by all conference participants. The amends may include repairing damage, monetary repayment, apologies, community service, courses, promises about future behaviour and counseling. Restorative Justice provides an effective, timely, non-court response to less serious offences. Both socially and monetarily, it often proves to be the preferred measure. The aftermath of the offence is dealt with in a short period of time. The victim is involved, is heard by others and has input into how the offender makes amends. The offender has the opportunity to reintegrate into both family and community through opened communication and understanding. Restorative Justice allows offenders an opportunity to learn and grow from their mistakes.
Youth who participate in a Restorative Justice program are less likely to re-offend; further harms are therefore prevented.
Leslie Tenta
Sea to Sky Restorative Justice Society
'Green space' not preservationEditor,
Re Alteration Bylaw: Yes, it's true, beyond the building code and a morass of bylaws and regulations we are now tasked with preserving nature on the tiny bit of earth we pay so dearly for. The Smart Growth folks have a stated goal of 60 percent "green space" now the bylaw is in place to do just that. I was informed that "green space" is not gardens but natural species. I picture driving home forested streets that will be as natural as. a forest? Preserve nature in the appropriate setting not my back yard please. The last thing I want to see is my view obliterated by yet another soaring conifer. Suburbia is where people live. Nature is where the woodland creatures roam. We seem to be getting confused. Turning my property into "green space" does not preserve nature.
Riun Blackwell
Squamish
