To the Editor,
Re: City’s grounds for appeal on dam called ‘frivolous,’ June 23.
Frivolous may be a common legal term, but it’s insulting to Nanaimo residents that the B.C. comptroller of water rights uses this word in relation to the Colliery dams when approximately $3 million has already been spent on this fiasco.
And why is Mayor Bill McKay siding with a provincial government department when he is supposed to be supporting the taxpayers of Nanaimo in their best interests?
His idea, along with three other councillors, is to spend an additional $3-8 million – perhaps even more – on a problem that common sense says does not exist.
Does anyone else find it bizarre that while we are in drought conditions and have Level 2 water restrictions – probably going to Level 3 very shortly – the provincial government demands that we spend multi millions of dollars to prepare for a one-in-34,000-year flood that has never happened in our history?
Gail Radford-RossNanaimo
To the Editor,
Re: Request for more time rejected, June 30.
Regarding the mayor’s comment that only 40 people care about the Colliery dams – I must be number 41, or perhaps number 41,000?
I haven’t been a vocal supporter of the dams, but that does not mean that I am not a strong supporter. I am passionate about saving this piece of heaven. The dams are safe, historic, a great place for recreation, a home to nature’s animals, a place full of memories — and hopefully a place where future dreams can come true.
Please do not be mistaken and think that only 40 people care about the dams or that only 40 people don’t want to spend millions of dollars frivolously.
Linda DawesNanaimo
To the Editor,
Re: Request for more time rejected, June 30.
Nanaimo has right now about as close as a city government can come to a mandate and that’s especially clear when it comes to Colliery Dam Park.
The park and the threat, based on discredited engineering and geotechnical reports, by the provincial government to ham-fistedly demolish the dams and ruin the park, was front and centre during the fall election. We had the chance to elect a council which would, as so many councils have done in the past, buckle to the bullying of the provincial government and the powerful staff empires inside our city hall. We didn’t.
This council has been given direction by the electorate: put Nanaimo on a new course for the future. Standing up to the province and reeling in the out-of-control staff regimes inside our city hall would be a good place to start.
Frank MurphyNanaimo
