HST Vote
HST referendum indicates that in Powell River, the referendum was a success [“Voters scrap HST,” August 31]. Perhaps this is the time for all politicians, including our own, to sit up and take notice that the people do have a say and that it’s time to stop doing things just because it seems right for them instead of for the majority of the people. Municipal elections are coming and to put some contentious items on the ballot as a yes-or-no-vote referendum may be a welcome change for Powell River residents. The defeat of the HST has become a Canada-wide warning for all political parties to start thinking about what the people want and not what they want.
Larry Law
Huntington Street
Rural zoning
The news article says that a women’s addiction treatment facility is proposed for the Traffe Road/Pebble Beach area [“Treatment facility raises issues,” August 24]. Unfortunately, this is not just a proposal, but more like a done deal. The owners/operators of this facility have already made renovations and, with very little notice to the neighbours, are going to move this business into an area that is clearly designated as residential. Make no mistake; this is not a home-based business. It is a full-fledged business that is being put into a house. The “women’s wellness centre” sounds caring, but considering the investment made and the cost of staying in this facility, you can bet the main concern is for making a healthy profit.
So, the neighbours are not happy and there have been, and will be, meetings where concerns are raised about the potential for noise, excess drain on the water supply, sewerage issues, etc. While there is some reality to these concerns, they are the type that the business owners can usually find some plausible fix for. What they cannot fix is the way they have imposed themselves on a peaceful neighbourhood, with no regard for the impact to the neighbours. They say they hope that we will give them a chance and that they also hope there will be no negative impact on property values. Who are they kidding? No one would pay the same price for a home in proximity to this business.
The neighbourhood has some tough choices to make regarding a response to this issue. Already there is a petition asking for proper, residential zoning and bylaws to enforce that zoning. I suggest that we adopt the same attitude that has been shown by our new business “neighbour.” We should do everything legally possible to make the clients and staff of this facility feel unwelcome in our neighbourhood. It is only a dent in their bottom line that will have any lasting impact.
As for the Powell River Regional District, I keep hearing that the residents south of Powell River do not want bylaws. Maybe it is time to ask again.
Dave Stimson
Highway 101
