Editor:
As another long-term resident of Gibsons (30 years), I am perplexed by several points brought up by Sue Rhodes in her letter (Coast Reporter, Sept. 21) supporting the proposed hotel/convention centre and condominiums.
According to her, "little has been done to maintain the essential services required for a vibrant thriving community to exist." How I disagree.
Every time I walk or drive to the library or enjoy the free music events in the Landing or wander through one of the many galleries or the summer market, I am thankful to live in such a wonderful small town with so much to offer including the beautiful hanging baskets, underground wiring, landscaping and banners.
The "essential services" that she so laments losing are located a short bus ride or walk up the hill, where the market place decided they would survive. And there was certainly never a hardware store or veterinarians or two grocery stores in Lower Gibsons in the last 30 years.
I find it very sad that some still equate progress with better shopping opportunities. It is not "selfish self-centred objections" to object to a project of this magnitude being built over our aquifer.
I would also like to question the assumption that a hotel/convention centre being built in the neighbourhood would bring back any grocery stores, banks, hardware stores or vets.
Cathy Kucher, Gibsons
