Editor:
As a longtime resident of White Rock, I have to question the New Democracy Direct White Rock mayor and four DDWR councillors’ wisdom in “ceding” to a request from former mayors Wayne Baldwin and Hardy Staub – essentially to rescind the naming of the plaza at “Lions Lookout Park.”
The naming to “Grand Chief Bernard Richard Charles Plaza” was the next logical step in the Truth and Reconciliation process.
The plaza was dedicated to the Grand Chief in 2009. Usually, when something is dedicated, that includes a naming.
It is baffling that this coalition would unanimously vote to name the plaza as such on July 8, but do a complete flip-flop 14 days later on the request of the two former mayors.
This council also did not respectfully announce the naming to SFN, who were informed by the Peace Arch News, to which Chief Harley Chappell responded, “fantastic news.”
Not to mention that even the current signage is incorrect as there is no “Totem Park” at the site. It is Lions Lookout Park. Perhaps another intentional error.
Neither the letter written to Mayor Walker by Staub and Baldwin, nor Mayor Walker’s new resolution have even a smidgen of reference to Semiahmoo Salish First Nations in them.
Couns. Fathers and Chesney, both independent, voted against rescinding the name change and were not supported by the DDWR coalition.
Is this a sign of the times in White Rock’s new version of Truth and Reconciliation? I really hope not, as I don’t want any part of it then.
Garry Wolgemuth, White Rock
