Editor, The Record:
Firstly, congratulations to newly elected Mayor Ted Adlem and council. It clearly demonstrated the general population of Mission was dissatisfied on various issues during the last few years. I’d like to comment on a couple of items.
It seemed that previous councils lost sight of the fact they should concern themselves with providing the best possible results from the use of tax monies, in particular, for basics. There were many wasted dollars — some very noticeable and some not — which really annnoyed residents.
Probably the most mentioned subject was the ongoing property tax increases every year, which made a significant impact on people’s ability to live a good lifesyle. Those increases were far in excess of the official cost of living figure. If — as the new mayor and councillors promised — they intend to keep their pledge, taxes should decline due to more effective management.
Secondly, the other major concern is the environment versus development, and in particular, the ongoing suggestion that the waterfront should be developed, notwithstanding it is officially documented as a flood plain from the Fraser’s edge up to the lower side of First Avenue.
Also mentioned again is the McBarge project, involving bringing a discarded, rusting vessel into the water just below First Avenue. Along with this, it is difficult to understand the name of Sturgeon on the Fraser. Surely we should be more concerned with sturgeon IN the river, as I understand this rare species is negatively impacted by changes to water levels and impurities. If we decide to allow the barge, surely its location should be higher up, on ground above the river’s edge, on cement supports and dike improvements. Patrons seated in such an establishment would have a wonderful view across the river and not be jostled and swayed by river currents as they eat lunch.
The idea of developing the waterfront flood plain with townhouses, etc. should be discarded and such buildings should be higher up, where their views would still be spectacular.
The district should consider the waterfront to be naturally suited for a large, beautiful park, somewhat similar to Vancouver’s Stanley Park. Walking paths and small trees could line a wide path along the river’s edge behind higher dikes, and be a short stroll to all the First Avenue shops.
The Fraser River is vital to many creatures in addition to sturgeon and salmon, as well as to humans, and we should be cognizant of that fact when developments are suggested.
Lila Rauh
Mission
