Dear Editor:
Re: Homeowners have rights, Letters to the editor, The Record, June 21.
In response to the letter that the new owner was within their rights to demolish the heritage home at 221 Third Ave. in accordance with the zoning regulations, I agree, they were. I find it interesting, though, that of the letters to The Record, one was written by homeowners of a new home and the other by homeowners who have painstakingly restored three heritage homes in New Westminster, hence perhaps the difference of opinions. My overall concern is to recognize that all of New Westminster has history - gold, floods, fires, etc. - and it is slowly disappearing.
The history of New Westminster is an integral part of the history of B.C., and it includes our heritage homes. These homes are more than 100 years old. They have history, dating back to the original homeowners, builders and architects - the Mercer home, the Galbraith home, Henry Ward Beecher, 1905 Queen Anne style, Victorian and Edwardian homes, art glass windows, palladian windows, Batten, Beaux Arts, Shiplap, spindlework - and they are disappearing for the sake of money. Do I welcome the new homeowner into the neighbourhood? Certainly, but I do not respect his right to demolish the home at 221 Third Ave, because I have difficulty believing it was done to suit the needs of his family.
Lois Wager, New Westminster
