Editor:
“The grotty, tacky town of Sechelt” is how I would describe the town in which I live. Not such phrases as “the gem of” or “jewel of” the Sunshine Coast, as seen in many glossy magazines and publications and even so described in Parliament, the Legislative Assembly and to audiences in other public places.
We are, of course, beholden to weather conditions mainly for much of the debris that is currently found in gutters blocking drains when Mother Nature attends to getting rid of dry foliage to prepare redress of her trees and shrubs. Unhappily however, the human factor makes an unhealthy and too often dangerous contribution, with some of the litter and garbage left unattended in cycle lanes where there is no pedestrian sidewalk paving. Drainage is almost impossible in many places. Ditches along the highways and side roads are there for a purpose in the mountainous regions of the district, but they get unwarranted attention by way of disposal of rubbish that could otherwise be taken home and dealt with as expected.
Sechelt is a town with an abundance of retiree residents, many of whom are wheelchair-bound or require some method of assistance to get around. The HandyDart and public buses along with school buses do a splendid job in this area. Nevertheless the appearance of this tatty, not so pretty or pristine district needs immediate and undivided attention. The District of Sechelt council must be a leader to make “pristine” a word of meaningful value to this part of the Coast. I am sure that it has all the equipment and staff to deal with the matters with which I complain. Use them.
Lauri M. Pearce, Sechelt
