Dear Editor:
Having followed the story of the Chief Skugaid for the last few months, I was neutral to its plight at first.
But after learning of the aggressive high handed ways New Westminster city council and staff, along with Port Vancouver and Larco, have been trying to rid itself of a magnificent piece of West Coast fishing history, I have to ask myself, isn't there anybody on council who can see the future potential of having a variety of historic ships (properly vetted) along some of the historic shoreline of B.C.'s oldest city?
I have been to Steveston and Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco and both places attract tourists who pay for parking and spend their money freely.
I'm not saying we line up ships and vessels bow to stern along the entire city shoreline, but think of the possibilities to create a Seafest like the one on the other historic fishing coast of Canada - the Yarmouth Seafest in Nova Scotia.
I was think along the lines of a walking loop from the discovery centre, heading north up to the end of the new waterfront park and then have some way (to be figured out) for people to access Columbia Street easily and have a leisurely stroll back down along our "golden mile."
Also having the talented Steve Hornung create a few more of his beautiful murals (historically oriented of course, i.e. Hyack anvil battery scenes, the Salmonbellies and other things we cherish) and you could end up with a Chemainus/Ladysmith-esque atmosphere. It would make for a very pleasant strolling loop that could bring in more people to enjoy what we have to offer in the Royal City.
Michael Haines, New Westminster
