Dear editor,
What does $5,000 get you these days?
Well, for mayors and former mayors — a whole lot of bling. I am referring to the $5,000 Bates and Moncrief in all their wisdom decided it was necessary to spend on a necklace.
According to Bates, “We don’t want to be looked at as a backwards community.”
Me, I’ve never perceived Cumberland as “backwards.” Unique, well-situated, alive with young people coming here to take advantage of our mountain biking and hiking trails, yes — backwoods, maybe.
But “backwards?” And all for lack of a $5,000 necklace?
Now me, I see $5,000 as enough money for a skatepark. Truly.
Recently, while at the skatepark at the LINC Centre in Courtenay, I noticed a wood half pipe and skate ramp for sale for $500. I thought if you put that on a flatbed, brought it to Cumberland, put it in a park under a roof supported by a few posts — voila! — a skatepark.
And with any support from the community (which has always been tremendous in this regard — Coal Hills BMX being a prime example and something the mayor is quite content to put a road through), additional ramps, etc. could be built for an even bigger skatepark.
A unique skatepark, something our youth can take pride in and enjoy.
Next time you are feeling low self-esteem, Fred, may I suggest a toupée or a red sports car — it will be your dime, not ours, the taxpayers’.
The only backwards here is the continuing lack of imagination displayed by a mayor and a former mayor.
Grant Shilling,
Cumberland
