Dear Editor:
My wife and I moved from our city of birth, travelled across Canada, and have lived in a number of cities over the years. We have been living in the District of North Vancouver since 1984. We made our last move to the Deep Cove area in 1993. So, we left home to finally make the District our “other home.”
I mention this because we live in “communities.” Some are communities of convenience, and others are communities we call “home.”
A community is more so when it has a “sense of community.” The Deep Cove area has developed its unique sense of community over the years. My two sons grew up in the Cove area. They still have friends from the local schools and sports teams.
Central Motors Service and Jeremy Thorp are part of “the community,” as is the Raven Pub. I have only had my car serviced at Jeremy’s garage a couple of times over the last 28 years as most of the car maintenance is done at a dealership. However, Jeremy provided a good service, and was fair and honest.
In 1997, I dropped in the first time to ask some advice about a 1992 Toyota Tercel. He freely gave his opinion. That opinion saved me thousands of dollars – the dealership had to rebuild the engine under warranty. Jeremy didn’t “have to” give me that advice, yet he did so with no expectation that I would get it serviced there. Obviously, he didn’t profit from the meeting. Jeremy ‘gave’ because he is part of a community.
I am not a friend and he probably wouldn’t know I lived in the neighbourhood. In short, I have no vested interest in giving him a recommendation. He gave to the community when he didn't have to … something that community is all about.
Central Motors almost always has cars parked out front or the bays full. You only get that business if you provide reliable and quality service.
The point is that Jeremy and his business contribute quite a bit to the community of Deep Cove. Many people rely on his continued service. And communities need people and businesses that contribute.
A recent sale of the key commercial block will see significant rent increases. Should the land be used for condos, and would they provide as much of a contribution to the community of Deep Cove?
The District should ask: Does it want to expand, or does it want to preserve a “sense of community with selective expansion?” Personally, I prefer the latter.
Byron Bona
North Vancouver
