Long fight for access
On February 12, 1921, my mother Mary Powell was born to a family who lived on a small farm just a short distance up Southview Road.
Mary grew up with her two brothers, went to school at a one-room building just across from the Rogers’ residence in Southview and later walked to and from school at Wildwood. In the summer months, Mary and her brothers spent a lot of time at the beach (Southview).
As years went by, families moved onto beach lots and blocked the public from having access to the beach. Mary pushed for public access through Lands and Title in Victoria and succeeded. However, the beach residents didn’t want their private beach occupied by strangers, so once again Mary pushed for beach access. Her plea fell on deaf ears from one regional director to the next for quite some time.
Last fall, while on an outing to Lund with extended care, she noticed a sign that said “Beach Access” at Southview Road [“Access sites signage receives approval,” July 17, 2013]. Her eyes lit up and a smile came across her face.
On January 13 at 8:45 am my mother passed away with me by her side. The next day, I was driving by Southview Road and noticed a crew from the regional district laying down gravel to make a walking trail to Southview Beach. I knew that she was watching with appreciation. I requested to the fellow who was overseeing the job if the trail could be called “Mary’s Trail” or if any future road there could be called “Mary’s Road.”
Mom always told us kids, who spent many summers there, that Southview Beach was one of the nicest around and should be enjoyed by all, not just a few who live there.
Enjoy the trail, mom, rest in peace.
Bud Masales
Port Hardy, BC
OCP leaves unanswered questions
City of Powell River’s last public hearing for the Official Community Plan will be at 6:30 pm on Thursday February 13 at Powell River Recreation Complex. The city plans to remove the forest behind Powell River Historical Museum and Archives from protected status and rezone it for condo development [“Public input into community plan draws to a close,” October 30, 2013]. There is abundant land already zoned for condos. Some examples are the Beach Gardens’ property and much of the land between downtown Marine and Michigan avenues.
Why would the city, after so much time, money and effort to preserve the Millennium Park, remove a significant piece of it?
Why would the city, after spending so much effort and community involvement in searching for ways to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, cut down a forest that is removing more climate warming gases than all our efforts could do?
Why would the city destroy a wonderful wildlife habitat, and primary home of the great blue heron and many other creatures?
Why does the city feel the need to destroy this forest to increase the amount of urban sprawl when there are many serviced lots already zoned for high density housing?
Why?
Wes Bingham
Windsor Avenue
Decision provokes retaliation
So, BC Ferries and the provincial government, after studying the feedback on their $500,000 tour of community meetings to study the effects of their desired cuts, have come to a decision [“Province confirms cuts,” February 7].
In their infinite wisdom they decided to give us the royal finger: no concessions and seniors will have to pay from now on. And, of course, no mention of staff cuts to match the cuts in service. Absolutely disgusting.
Well, hopefully, all affected regions will let them know how they feel, at the ballot box, and return the favour.
Louise Fribance
Springbrook Road
