The following letter to Squamish Mayor and Council was copied to The Chief for publication.
What a load of compost. With no public comment, little forethought and a clear lack of environmental sensibility, the District of Squamish has arbitrarily decided to close the downtown recycling depot on Third Avenue. What a shame.
This facility should not close until an alternate is located and opened to the public. Announcing the closure May 12, and closing it May 16this may be the fastest action ever undertaken by the District, surely a bureaucratic land speed record in this town. Too bad we can't protect recreational trails that fast.
What's really going on here? A local news report indicates the facility is closing down due to "increasing volume of use" and it is "close to environmentally sensitive land." This sensitive estuary environment also hosts a recently expanded sewage treatment plant, abandoned bulk fuel depot and multitudinous industrial sites. If the volume is increasing, you don't close it down, you expand it. Where are we to go? Last Saturday I couldn't get to within 10 metres of the cardboard recycler on Government Road because of the mountain of soggy cardboard on the ground around the full compactor. It seems this site is seeing an increase in volume as well, when will it be shut down?
Environmental sensitivity? Downtown Squamish has the largest per capita population who walk, ride bikes or take public transit. We live on Third Avenue and our two-year-old son delivers our recycling to the depot in his wagon. You are now forcing people to recycle using their vehicles, very sensitive. Many downtowners don't own cars, so their recycling will go in the trash or in the ditch, very environmentally sensitive as well. Is this a joke? In this day and age, we should be opening more recycling depots, not closing them down without replacement.
We are the generation who have worked hard to make recycling a part of daily life. This is a huge step backwards. I think I'll load up the wagon and walk our recycling to the front steps of City Hall and deposit it there. That seems to be the least environmentally sensitive site downtown.
Kevin Damaskie
Squamish
CWY thankful for help
The following letter to Squamish Mayor Ian Sutherland was copied to The Chief for publication.Dear Mayor Sutherland,
Thank you very much for the use of the Squamish Chamber of Commerce building for our Canada World Youth International youth exchange program. Our 20 youth (ages 17-20) from all across Canada and Uruguay will have an ideal location to meet and learn about community issues and community development.
The youth will be offering the community more than 6,000 volunteer hours during their three-month stay from June 25 until Sept. 12. Potential volunteer work placements include: the Howe Sound Women's Centre, Hot Spot, Squamish Youth Resource Centre, Brennan Park Recreation Centre, Tenderfoot Fish Hatchery, the Railway Heritage Park Museum, Squamish Nation Recreation, the Community Police Station, Carney's Waste Systems, and Hilltop House. Through volunteering, the participants will come to understand many aspects of community such as history, media, arts, environment, economy and local government. They will be developing their critical analysis skills while making connections to their own communities and the global community at large.
The host family is another integral means of cultural learning throughout our program. One Canadian and one Uruguayan youth will be paired up and live with a local family for three months. In this intimate environment they will come to understand Squamish culture and norms, while also sharing their own traditions.
I am still seeking seven more host families here in the community. If you know of anyone who might be interested they can contact me for more information at 604-815-3533.
Again, thank you and the District of Squamish for your keen interest and ongoing support of our program!
Lisa Harcus
Canada World Youth Project
Robbed tourist needs help
Editor,
I am from Ottawa and have been traveling in the Squamish area for the past two weeks, I have to say that I love the trails the people and the overall atmosphere is just amazing.
I have been staying at the Squamish international Hostel on Hwy. 99, a very nice place with excellent staff and people. Last night my truck that was parked at the hostel was violently broken into. The thieves broke the passenger side lock and tried to jimmy the ignition, they were not successful in starting the truck as it has a security chip. They were successful in severely damaging my truck and cleaning me out of my belongings. They took all of my camping gear, tent backpack etc, my laptop computer, my business suits all my shoes and worst of all I had left my wallet in the truck by accident and they took that with my credit cards and all my ID. This is just a short list. I have added up the damage and it comes to $13,250 in lost belongings. I would really like to get my wallet back and my clothes. I was wondering if you could put something in the paper to let people know where to call if they come across my wallet (black with my ID inside) or my duffel bag full of clothes (blue hockey bag) or my red backpack full of camping gear. Right now I am reaching out to the goodness of this town to try and get some of my belonging back especially my wallet. It had $200 in it but I am really only concerned with the ID and card that I had in it. Anything that you can would be a great help.
Andrew Cardiff
Ottawa (780-512-9211 cell)
Fire victims grateful
Editor,
A heartfelt thank you to the District of Squamish, the Provincial Emergency Program, non- government organizations, and some local businesses of Squamish for the help and assistance you provided to the fire evacuees from Westway Village.
District of Squamish - for providing 3 nights stay at the Sea to Sky Hotel and also our Mayor, Ian Sutherland, for all the support work involved in achieving needed assistance; the Provincial Emergency Program for providing food, clothing and lodging for an extended period of time.; the Squamish Food Bank - for providing beautiful hampers to several of the families; Community Christmas Care for providing food gift certificates; Squamish Baptist Church for their very generous special collection of $400; Burneing Images for free restoration of spoiled photos; Karin's Kitchen Corner for a special rate on certain needed items; Greg Gardner GM for providing a van to take evacuees to North Vancouver Salvation Army Store to pick up items free of charge; Victim Services, for all their support and provision of a driver for the van; the Women's Centre, Pearl's Place second hand store for providing clothing and incidentals; Canadian Red Cross for providing valuable input; the Salvation Army, for providing items free of charge, and a wonderful lunch for all those who went to North Vancouver; the Squamish Lions Club for taking a particular family under their wing.; the Sea to Sky Hotel for their hospitality and thoughtfulness; and the community of Squamish who offered items of furniture, etc.
This letter shows how many people and organizations are involved in an event such as an apartment fire. Beryl Taylor
Emergency Social Services Director and Deputy Emergency Coordinator, Squamish Emergency Program
