Dear Editor:
In response to the story, Bear-Proof Garbage Still a Hard Sell: I understand the city's frustration with this issue; however I am also frustrated (North Shore News, Aug. 3).
I have tried a number of different solutions to stop a bear from pestering our garbage, and the bear has figured them all out.
Saying that people have no problem spending the income on themselves instead of trying to save these bears makes me angry.
I love living on the North Shore; this is where I was born and raised and where I am raising my children.
I work part-time so that my husband and I don't have to deal with daycare issues. We have a house here, but it certainly doesn't mean we have $200 to spend on a garbage can.
We pay hefty taxes to live here and have dealt with school closures and other frustrating community issues.
My husband and I don't have a huge amount of disposable income, and when we do, I am not interested in spending it on a container. I bought an upright green garbage can a few years ago and also a composting system, so I am doing my part to live green. I would gladly exchange my green garbage can in for a bearproof can, but that isn't an option.
I want very much to find a peaceful solution to this issue, but please do not make me feel bad because a garbage can is not on my priority list.
Why have the people of Squamish all been issued their own bear-proof waste containers on the city's budget? Is there no budget for this in North and West Vancouver?
It is obviously an ongoing problem, but $200 is a lot of money for some of us here on the North Shore.
Amanda Duncan North Vancouver
