A big "thank you" to Coal Harbour's Local Community Commission (LCC) and Area C Director, Norm Prince, for your commitment to, and advocacy for our village. It's too bad that over the years, some of my neighbours and I have been blinded to the existence of your positive activities when we have felt persecuted by some of your initiatives.
Is it possible that a new approach is needed? I feel that a more middle-of-the-road tack would win your work more approval and admiration.
When a group of people perceives that they are over-policed, fear and discontent are generated. If you are tempted to report some of us to the Regional District for extra large water/sewer/and garbage fees to be levied, or for possible court cases designed to penalize us thousands of dollars in fines, please stop and reassess first.
You could ask yourselves, "Are we possibly treading in an area that is colured by shades of grey? Do we have all of the information, and is it accurate? Is this only a minor infraction?"
On the other hand, if a household rents out a suite to a large number of people who are causing overcrowding, and lots of noise with vehicles coming and going often, or if a neighbour's tenant is playing loud, disturbing music and housing a grow-op, then I'm sure we will all join with you to make a report to the Regional District!
Let's use discretion and sound judgement when we choose to interfere in our neighbours' lives.
A number of years ago when the LCC first reported us for renting the lower floor of our home to a quiet, clean-living, single man who was away working on the boats most of the time, the then-Regional planner responded by saying, "I wonder why they're complaining?"
Now, with the list of fourteen households in Coal Harbour that you have compiled for possible target on this very issue, please take care not to overreact.
Yes, the political atmosphere recently in Coal Harbour has been tense. I suggest we remember to keep our differences in the political arena where they belong. If we believe that a community supports and cares for one another, we won't reject each other. Instead, we will continue to express what we feel is right, and value and forgive one another.
And to Norm Prince and the LCC, I will look forward at election time to hearing lots of folks with great eyesight say, "congratulations," because of the reasonable and conciliatory approach you have taken!
Marie Monette
Coal Harbour