Nelson’s downtown lamp standards are more than 35 years old and are at the end of their life, according to the city. New designs will be presented to the public for their opinion. Photo: Bill Metcalfe

Nelson’s downtown lamp standards are more than 35 years old and are at the end of their life, according to the city. New designs will be presented to the public for their opinion. Photo: Bill Metcalfe

LETTER: Nelson becoming like everywhere else

Letter-writer Rod Retzlaff is aghast at plans to replace downtown lamp standards

In early August I was saddened to read in your paper that the decision had been made by city councillors to replace the light standards in Nelson. Proponents are still trying to sell their contention that at 37 years old, the current cast aluminum standards are worn out. Oy vey!

The new proposal is to put heritage standards only on Baker Street, transitional standards on Victoria Street, and contemporary standards on Vernon Street. As far as I know, Victoria Street and Vernon Street were established at the same time as Baker Street. So why is the city so hot to undermine Bob Inwood’s brilliant idea to enhance Nelson’s unique heritage character?

Now I see in the latest paper a plan to build a four storey monstrosity on Front Street. I also noted that city council is unhappy with their current pay scale.

I don’t pay taxes in Nelson, and I don’t get to vote in Nelson, but if I did, I would vote to free up any councillor who voted to approve these changes to seek enhanced remuneration elsewhere after the next election.

This beautiful, unique city that I love is, not so slowly, being turned into everywhere else.

Rod Retzlaff

Glade

Nelson Star