Editor, The News:
Re: What changed in Albion flats (The News, June 8).
Here we go again, another spin by Smart Centres.
The Agricultural Land Commission has stated clearly to Maple Ridge council that development of the west side of 105th Avenue is not a favourable option.
This, however, means nothing to the Smart Centres because now it has come up with yet another really ‘smart’ idea.
Here’s how the new conversation goes:
SC: “Hey, how about swapping our 20 acres on the west side for some land on the east side?”
MR council: “Oh wow, that sounds really good.”
SC: “We’ll have a friendly chat with the fairgrounds people and convince them development is a ‘smart’ idea.”
MRC: “Oh wow, that sounds really good.”
You see how this conversation goes. Yet another spin by the really ‘smart’ Smart Centres to get a Walmart into Maple Ridge. And everyone knows we need another Walmart.
Wow, it’s tough to drive 15 minutes east or 15 minutes west to a Walmart in Mission or Port Coquitlam.
No, we want one in our own backyard so we can buy really cheap scrap that’s made by really cheap labour from another country and the money goes into the really rich pockets of one family in yet another country.
I guess these developers and even our own council believe we’re stupid. Yep, we here in Maple Ridge like to get sucker punched and spin around like tops so some developer who has a really ‘smart’ idea and can make a bucket load of money.
I prefer the idea of maintaining farm land, pristine wilderness and trees so I can continue to breathe. Oxygen is a really smart idea.
Maple Ridge could be the Amazon of the Lower Mainland, but the mighty minds of developers and our own council can’t wait to bulldoze green spaces, then pour concrete all over it.
Kim Pechet
Maple Ridge
