Re: Senseless Destruction on the Vedder
Having just finished Thanksgiving, we in the Fraser Valley have much for which to give thanks. This is especially true of all the sport fisherman who have excellent access to the wonderful Vedder River which has been producing some excellent catches of coho and chinook salmon this past week.
It is with some great sadness that I report a horrible incident that occurred over the weekend. Our famous fishing opportunities also draw neighbours from south of the border, and we meet them as we fish shoulder to shoulder on the sand bars and river banks. I had the pleasure of meeting and getting to know at least three men from Washington State during the past few days, Bob, George and Jeff.
When I arrived on Saturday afternoon and parked on the dyke road by the Keith Wilson Bridge, I notice a number of cars up on wheel jacks. After some quick investigation, I learned that someone had maliciously slashed tires on all the cars with U.S. plates that were parked along this stretch of the road. Of course I was disgusted and outraged at this stupid act of vandalism. Many of the vehicles had two tires slashed and so it was not simply a matter of putting on a spare. Vehicles had to be towed to repair shops. Jeff had to stay overnight and have tires brought in from the U.S. because there were none available locally on this holiday weekend.
I apologized to these friends upon behalf of all decent Canadians, assuring them this is not representative of our feelings towards our international neighbours. My hope is that the person or persons responsible will brag about it and find themselves reported to the RCMP. They have brought shame to our community and to our country.
Joey Booth
Abbotsford, B.C.
