Editor:
Your picture on page 25 of the Aug. 30 edition of Coast Reporter shows a group of children outside the community room across from the Sechelt library. Seems that this is now a misnomer:this "community" room needs to be renamed council's chat room.
I understand that council have usurped the room from the community during the week, and put it aside for their various meetings.
On talking to a long-term member of Toastmasters a couple of weeks ago, she was devastated that they did not have the use of this room anymore, unless they meet on weekends. Being an ex-Toastmaster and ensuing international speaker, I realize how important it is for Toastmasters to have a venue. On talking to the administration at the District offices, seems that the mayor andcouncil have decided the community room can only be used for library gatherings, or on weekends by the community -when most organizations don't meet.
This to me is a poorexample of leadership. Toastmasters is justone organization that used the room. This international organization teaches public speaking skills, a necessary skill for any young person aged 18 and upwards, entrepreneur or person suffering disabilities or self-esteem issues, to name a few who benefit from Toastmasters. We need skilled and articulate people in our community to keep it vibrant and alive. Toastmasters had great difficulty finding a suitable alternate venue, possibly losing members in the process.
Doesn't seem very democratic to me. I am sure the community didn't get to vote on this one.
Frances McGuckin
Halfmoon Bay
