Dear Editor:
Your April 22 story City Council Debates Heritage Preservation reports on council’s recent consideration of the issue of preserving heritage buildings within our community.
In this era of political double speak, kudos to City of North Vancouver Coun. Craig Keating for clearly stating his views on the subject: “How in fact is the community served by heritage buildings?”; and on owning two heritage homes — “my personal tragedy.” We know where he stands.
With opinions like this, no wonder the Mussatto/Keating team have led us to a proliferation of anonymous condo towers while losing us the Flamborough Head (Victory Ship) hull and stern together with the North Vancouver Ferry #5. Coming up: LGH 1929 activation building and the proposed North Vancouver Museum?
I live in a 1912 heritage home and at least weekly get compliments or queries on the building. How many modern replacement structures get that? The reason is that heritage buildings place the development of our city in context. When mine was built the neighbouring area was a sea of stumps and wood smoke filled the air.
The first resident owned a sash and moulding company that processed locally cut timber. A subsequent owner lost a son in the First World War. Another owner was a ticket collector on the ferry working the route from the bottom of Lonsdale to Vancouver.
Fortunately, men and women with a greater appreciation for the benefits of heritage were on the scene when preservation of Barkerville, Fort Langley, the Marine Building and the like were on the agenda. Here’s to hoping that they find their way to our city council.
Michael Barnard
North Vancouver
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