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A message to the complainers

Dear Editor: I read the editorial column of local papers with amazement and many, many questions. It would appear that several of the same people write these things, and it seems to me they repeat themselves continually.

Dear Editor:

I read the editorial column of local papers with amazement and many, many questions. It would appear that several of the same people write these things, and it seems to me they repeat themselves continually.

Last week, for example, we had a habitual complainer writing in The Record with "Where is the truth about pier park?" (In My Opinion, The Record, Sept. 21): Remember the city council, they don't always tell us the truth. Remember the waterfront park, it cost too much. Remember the park is polluted and will hinder our health.

This latter is amazing given that the land was polluted before the City of New Westminster bought it, but back then no one mentioned anything about our health.

Also remember the highrise property that was St. Mary's Hospital; this property was demolished and the land then purchased by the developer who intended to build a highrise apartment complex. Continuous complaints to city council about the property not being rezoned highrise delayed construction, even though it was in a highrise district and that the hospital that was torn down had eight storeys. The developer gave up and re-sold the property. This crying seems to go on and on.

If this so-called city inhabitant, who seems to hate all elected members of city council and those in authority, continues to find fault with the City of New Westminster, I say to him: move.

Then we have the never-been-elected wannabe politician who, for the last few years, has taken council's time almost weekly, and the only reason is for media coverage. One example stands out at a meeting a few years ago: a grown man sat at council wearing a highrise "dunce cap" to complain about a building in that spoiled his view, but from where he lived he could hardly see the building from across the water. Considering this logic, I should write to the governor of Washington State because as I look out at Mount Baker, it cuts my view of the blue sky behind it. Do you think the governor would move the mountain?

This same person's recent complaining of train noise at the Quay is nothing but a sales pitch. When crossing tracks before buying an apartment at the Quay, what did he think runs on train tracks?

As I read these editorial pages, I come to the conclusion that these complainers are good storytellers and never let facts get in the way of a good story. I don't always agree with city council, but they do the best they can with what they have and were elected by the people of New Westminster. I personally feel we should respect the decisions of the people of New Westminster.

I say to all constant complainers: Take a good look at yourselves. Take a positive attitude, and work for the city and its future, and that way we all win.

W.E. Marshall, New Westminster