Re: John Harding’s editorial in the July 9 edition of The NEWS.
As Humphrey Bogart once said in a movie: “We don’t need no stinkin’ bylaws.” That comment sure is evident in this town. You can pretty well do what you want, bylaw or no bylaw, and there is no penalty of any kind. Why, you might ask? There is no enforcement and no obvious will by council to do so.
Since I moved here, among other instances, illegal stairs have been built down to a beach, wind towers built on foreshore, garages in single family homes converted to illegal living spaces, dumping of garbage in backyards, parking of RV’s, boats, trailers and derelict cars and nothing seems to be done about it. There has been a steady deterioration of most neighbourhoods in Parksville.
I advocate that the city needs bylaws that have substance, a system of identification of infractions and some substantial penalties.
I know that enacting a new bylaw is not a simple procedure and has many consequences.
It’s like buying a car. Once you get it you have to insure it, put gas into it, maintain and store it. It all costs money. So does a new bylaw officer. But it’s a necessity if this city doesn’t want to become a dump.
If we can’t afford a second bylaw guy, then change the bylaws so that all complaints are dealt with in a timely manner, in weeks, not years.
The bylaw officer’s job is a difficult one because this and past city councils won’t back up the position.
We are all being so nice that the roof is falling down around our ears.
Come on council, get out and look around our city, and take some positive action to stem this deterioration, before it is too late.
Richard PacanowskiParksville
