Editor:
I read with consternation the discussions taking place about a road to connect the Coast to the Lower Mainland. It appears that a group has organized and has the ear of the province to push this idea forward. However, none of the elected representatives on the Coast appear to be part of this group. Who are these people who wish to impose their ideas for the future on the residents of the Coast? These ideas have ruined many communities that were once similar to ours in lifestyle.
A recent survey of the province revealed that the Sunshine Coast ranked high in livability and satisfaction with our way of life. Why would we want to trade that to become a suburb of the Lower Mainland with its overcrowding, crime, unaffordable housing, traffic jams, drugs and gang problems, etc.? Many of our residents have moved here to escape from that scene.
We live in what many view as a little piece of paradise. Yes, the ferries are a problem, which could easily be fixed without ruining our quality of life.
Those who long for the amenities of the city should move back there; then they will not have to wait for the things they yearn for. It seems the promoters of a fixed link are driven by a selfish desire to duplicate city living with dense population, pollution and real estate prices out of reach of most people. It all seems to revolve around greed. Once that step is taken, there is no turning back. Let’s help preserve a lifestyle that is the envy of the world.
Robert Gibson, Sechelt
