Dear Editor:
Quite often we read that in our three North Shore cities, developers in conjunction with our elected officials announce that in their respective municipalities they are about to embark in a new venture.
These ostentatious projects are presented to us as "the best in Canada, the first in the world, the most exclusive in North America, the most sumptuous on the planet" as if that is what we, the people who live and work here, are looking for.
All the people I know and speak to, that live in any of the three municipalities, have moved here for the exact same reasons: we want to be near nature, we love our parks, our seawalls, our trails and our backyards.
We also enjoy the tranquility that we have, we take pleasure in shopping in our local shops, recognize and being recognized by our neighbours.
These and many other valid reasons never mention basking in luxury, on the first and best, or the most sumptuous.
We have moved here because we want an enjoyable and small city approach. We like our schools because of the education our children get thanks to devoted teachers and administrators. We are not looking for the most exclusive schools on the planet.
We only want what is best for our children: good teachers, clean and safe environment and decently equipped schools.
What have we gained in the last 10 years of promoting these elegant and magnificent developments? All I can see is that it takes 10 times more time to get to places because of the traffic, that all the new developments are eliminating — slowly but surely — the possibilities that our children can live in the same place where they grew up.
We don't want the best produce in the planet, we want healthy and sustainable produce. Local produce.
We don't want to have the best waterfront in Canada, we want one where we can walk, enjoy the shore, enjoy our neighbours.
We all take pleasure in sunny days, fresh air, clean water. And none of those are unique and exclusive or the fanciest and most sumptuous on the planet.
Do we have a better sun than the one in other countries? Do we have the best air on the planet? In these misleading announcements they are selling us something we did not ask for.
I don't recall that North Shore residents were loudly asking for a ferris wheel, similar or better than the one in London.
All I can remember is, that the quality of life we all aimed for, is slowly deteriorating in the name of progress.
Instead of the fresh air we used to have, only 10 years ago, we have now air pollution due to traffic and unsustainable density and growth.
It's becoming more and more frustrating to drive, to find a parking space or find a grocery store with decent prices.
Can we please take a break in all these pompous developments and start thinking of what is best for the people who live here? Can we have a North Shore-wide plan that includes better transit systems, well planned roads and sustainable infrastructure? I think it's about time.
Elias B. Merkins
West Vancouver
