Editor:
Aaron Kirkland’s letter (“Ferry tears,” Dec. 1) doesn’t solve any problems.
Yes, we chose to live here: the forest, the ocean, the starlit black sky. The road was gravel. We had no electricity. The ferry terminal had no washrooms and the Blackball’s waits were long.
Later, things improved. I could leave Williams Lake at 4:30 p.m. (permitted quitting time for a teacher) on the Friday of a long weekend, drive the Fraser Canyon and just catch the 11:15 p.m. Smokwa.
Change again. Delays became so long that sailings were cancelled because the next sailing was due to arrive (late).
Before we chose to return and retire here, we carefully checked out costs. We wanted to be able to enjoy our friends and the cultural events in Vancouver. Passengers paid $4, overheights got priority, we could park overnight for free at one of the shopping centres.
Later, Mr. Hahn ran the system, managers increased, workers’ families rode for free and debt grew so huge the government refuses to pay it off and take over.
Change again. Loading is now cut off to prevent delays, and the ferry sails with empty spaces.
The Coast now has many of the attributes of Vancouver we wanted to leave, while Vancouver’s desirable traits are unattainable. Wealth and exclusivity were my first concerns at the opening meeting of the Sechelt Visioning Committee.
And so it is. Can you foretell the future?
Nancy Leathley, Sechelt
