Editor, The News:
I was so grateful to have the opportunity to get away from this dreary winter we’ve been having, as I returned on Monday from a short trip to Cuba.
Not only was it great to feel the sunshine, see the old cars, drink rum and smoke cigars, I had such a wonderful time with the locals, and enjoyed a culture well-known for being friendly.
I spent a few days in the city of Varadero, and loved the atmosphere. Aside from there being no beggars, and no risk of being robbed, in this busy town everyone seemed to genuinely care for one another.
I wonder sometimes what that would look like in Maple Ridge.
As the time of inevitable change in the infrastructure comes, where facilities are being raised, and housing provided to those at tent city, and the many more people out there homeless, today and in the futures, will our city change that much?
The sword cuts both ways.
As I wrote three years ago, in a letter to this paper, addressing Mayor Nicole Read’s promise to end the homelessness in our town in all but six months from being elected, “You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink.”
I’m a firm believer in investing in the poor and the homeless. I believe giving someone who’s down and out a real opportunity will allow them to regain some control in their life, and some self-respect.
Respect tends to be reciprocal. When you give a person that gift, not spitefully but genuinely, not because of law but because of love, perhaps it will work, and they will decide to join this side of society.
Because at the end of the day, many will reject our way of living. But let’s not let our hate be a reason anyone endures another winter like this year.
Nathan Sands
Maple Ridge
