DEAR EDITOR:
Re: Trains, noise and condominiums, and A message to the complainers, Letters to the Editor, The Record.
The Oct. 7 Record featured two readers complaining about the complainers who are seeking a deal with the railroads to reduce the sleep-disturbing noise of train activities at night.
These opponents of the noise complainers offer two solutions: (1) Shut up and accept whatever the railroaders want to do; and (2) Leave town.
They somehow manage to conclude that curtailing the sleeping-time rail activities would cost us all money but fail to see that quieter nights would improve the quality of life of Quayside residents and increase the value of their homes.
It helps, of course, if you live in a part of Quayside not significantly affected by the noise. Some hun-dreds are in such areas, but this provides no relief for the hundreds who are close to the nocturnal whistles, clanging and banging.
I can't see why the fortunate residents of the quieter zones have no sympathy for those whose ears are regularly assaulted. Aren't they being rather selfish in trying to upset efforts to bring in some peace and quiet between the hours of 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. for those losing sleep?
Complainers have accomplished some pretty good things over the years. There were those, for example, who complained about 12-hour days, six-day work weeks, starvation wages and child labour, and those who complained about riding in the back of the bus.
Complaining is very often the first step in some improvement in the quality of our lives.
There is always the option of simply doing nothing at all. But speaking up is one of our most precious freedoms, and no one should try to muzzle it.
Tony Eberts, New Westminster
