Editor:
Council wants to have a win/win solution. The proposal just approved by council is to put in lights and a turn lane, moving the project toward the seaward side.
The District, with the help of the Ministry of Transportation and Infra-structure (MOTI) would mitigate the loss of space with an expanded sea walk for the length of this change.
As you know from the MOTI presentation, the option of only going with the Selma Park ditch filling is not one they will countenance. The $2.5 million joint federal/provincial money will be lost to highway improvements in the District.
Some people think we can put this money towards a bypass, and while I agree a bypass is needed, it will not be occurring anytime soon. The funding arrangements through the Provincial Treasury Board would not allow these funds to just sit in a bank account until that day.
Council has asked staff to plan a meeting to explain this option to the public, which should occur by the first week in October. I ask for you to keep an open mind in viewing this proposition, as we can end up with a better waterfront though this proposal.
You ask, "Why would I agree to this?" I agree because I believe we need to go forward, not stick to what we know when there is a better option available. I have to weigh the safety of our residents, along with the preservation of the Davis Bay vista.
Are there risks? Of course there are. Anytime we try to improve things and work to solve multi-faceted problems, things can go wrong. However, I opt to try. I deem the overall benefits to outweigh the risks and want a better District, an improved highway and an improved sea walkway.
Fred Taylor
District of Sechelt councillor
