Editor:
The reason I hear over and over again is “It’s for the safety of the children.”
Most recently a father of four stated that he was so happy because his kids are safe now “while playing on the road.” I was always taught to not play on the road. Roads are for cars. But regardless of personal philosophies, children are only children for a few years. Then they become young adults. They learn to drive and move away from their parents home to do their own thing.
So, the Town of Gibsons is closing a road for the temporary condition of having young children in the area. Closing the road is a permanent condition. House(s) are scheduled to be built on the closed section of the road. These house(s) will not be removed. That section of road will be closed forever. The road closure has created a lengthy dead-end road that has significant emergency response concerns. It could take years before a significant incident occurs, but road construction rules are there for the benefit of residents.
The Town of Gibsons seems to be motivated to close the road. Maybe they could justify the closing of the road by creating a new zoning category. A “children-only zone.” Homeowners would have to have young children before they can buy in the area. Those same homeowners could then sell their house when the children move out or become legal age. The Town of Gibsons has arranged some pretty amazing feats. I have all the confidence in them. We all want our children to be safe. Why not have a designated zone for them?
Joe Chaylt, Gibsons
