The following letter was sent to Gibsons council and copied to Coast Reporter.
I would like to lend my support to the proposed hotel/convention centre development project presently under consideration.
I have lived in and around Gibsons all my life. I have seen Gibsons grow from a sleepy little hamlet, home to mostly loggers, fishermen and millworkers, to a more diverse community.
As our town has grown over the years, there have been many changes, some positive additions that have increased the quality of life for the residents, others that have had little effect or detracted from the overall experience of living here.
The one constant I believe has always been at the centre of concern in our community is rational, well-planned economic development, or lack thereof. There are those of us who, in spite of this, have been fortunate enough to remain and raise our families here. As the population of our village, then town, has increased, the lack of meaningful opportunity has driven most of my contemporaries to find their fortune elsewhere.
There needs to be economic drivers that stimulate the growth to provide employment opportunities in the community and generate, for other local businesses, the customers who will leave positive impact as they explore our small piece of paradise.
I have been to many industry conventions and witnessed the positive effects on local businesses, which, by extension, would generate tax revenue sorely needed to support programs and infrastructure for local government.
There are those who oppose this development proposal, and while I respect their opposition, I do not share it.
The George would provide much needed revitalization of Lower Gibsons and provide such an example, attracting other groups with the investment capital to enhance the town's potential. This is an opportunity we cannot afford to ignore.
Brad Norris, Norris Oil Sales, Gibsons
