Editor:
The article in Coast Reporter on Aug. 19, “Home burns while family waits for help,” is indeed a “serious wake-up call.” It has been at the top of this family’s fears for all of the five years we have built and lived in our house on Latona Road, halfway up the Port Mellon Highway.
There are scores of families and businesses in our Area F of the SCRD north of YMCA Road who are in the identical situation to that of the Ladwig family, in that we have no fire service coverage (not to mention any other services available to the citizens of Gibsons and Sechelt). Since we moved here, the population in the area has gradually increased, with no change to the situation outside of the current Gibsons fire protection area. We are unable to purchase fire insurance for our home and belongings because of this, despite extensive inquiries.
We would like to see a thorough review made by all the appropriate provincial and local authorities, most especially the SCRD. We look forward to some thoughtful changes in the near future for all of us.
Chris Wilkinson, Gibsons
