Dear Editor:
As a long time resident and business owner in West Vancouver I feel it is my duty to respond to the nasty letter to the editor that Susan Thomas wrote about the Dark Days in West Van, a District That Lost its Soul, March 14 Mailbox.
I have been privileged to live in West Vancouver and have operated a butcher shop there for over 40 years. West Vancouver is my home and the home of my sons, grandsons and granddaughters who have grown up and spent many wonderful days in the community including places like John Lawson Park, Ambleside Park, the West Vancouver Community Centre, West Vancouver Seniors’ Activity Centre, Horseshoe Bay and Cypress Mountain. My son brings his dog down to the pet friendly dog area on the waterfront at Ambleside all the time.
Our own police force is the envy of other communities, and they are always around for you to talk to. We have our own bus service and we all know the drivers by name. Our recreational centre, library and parks welcome people who do not live in West Vancouver or contribute to the costs of these buildings and services.
Regarding Thomas’s comments about West Van not being pet friendly, maybe she should come and take a look at the seawalk and Ambleside where hundreds of people walk their dogs every day.
My butcher shop was in Ambleside for many years, beginning 40 years ago, and they are still the same buildings I occupied. They were, and still are, buildings that should have been replaced 40 years ago. As our Mayor Mike Smith said, many of the buildings have continued to exist long past their life span, and should be replaced and updated. Ambleside must move to be brought up to Dundarave’s quality. There are many absentee landlords who own the stores in the Ambleside area, and it makes it difficult to get them all in agreement to make changes. I attend many functions in West Vancouver and our Mayor Mike Smith always tries to attend many of these functions, and is constantly walking and talking as he strolls the area on his free time. Go for a walk at night on the seawalk, or through Ambleside. None of us are afraid to walk at night here.
Our seniors’ centre is one of the best in Canada and is the pride of our community.
There are 42,473 residents who live in West Vancouver and they are the ones who pay most of the costs of these services, that you say must be upgraded. North Vancouver has 85,395 residents.
On a sunny day, many visitors from other communities pack our streets, and parks. Ninety per cent of the people using the parking lot at John Lawson Park are non-residents who use the prize-winning kids playground.
Is the solution to our parking, parking meters? Like North Van? Watch what happens to Edgemont Village in the next few years and try parking in Deep Cove on the weekends.
The comment that West Vancouver has lost its soul from a non-resident troubles me. It appears Thomas is out of touch with the community I live in.
Peter Black
West Vancouver
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