Editor:
Re: Cancellation of Paddling Festival.
As a member of the paddling community and one who has fought long for a Paddling Centre to be included in the SSC site plan, I am extremely disappointed that the Paddling Festival had to be cancelled; albeit, I fully appreciate the obstacles SSC and other developers are facing. The bureaucratic delays at the District of Sechelt are the talk of the entire Sunshine Coast. The mayor’s response is laughable. He must have his head firmly in the sand if he is not aware of the inexcusable delays caused by the bureaucratic boondoggle he has created with endless rotation of administrative staff.
In the case of SSC Properties, no other developer has ever gone to such length in consulting the public and developing plans for the site in accordance with that public input. Their proposed plan has been regurgitated through three different planning officers, with each one seemingly ignoring the work that was previously done, and starting from scratch. This is an inexcusable waste of taxpayers’ money. The mayor and council were elected to make decisions and give direction to staff to run with the ball from where it was left and move forward. It is beyond belief that the mayor has the gall to try to place the blame back on the proponents of the SSC site. Stand up and be a man, Mr. Milne. Admit there is a problem in your shop, and do something to correct it.
Fred Stark, Halfmoon Bay
