Dear Editor
Devon Webb's March 18th letter to the editor (New West city council has wrong approach) reminded me of other "boats" that the same New Westminster city council members have missed during their previous turn at the tiller. In a city that touts Queensborough connectivity, one wonders why they haven't allowed private enterprise to set up a water ferry service from the already developer-built dock at Port Royal to the dock that Port Metro Vancouver offered to finance in the River Market area. Instead of waiting for a pedestrian overpass, whose financing has been cannibalized for completion of the Anvil Centre, why not go ahead with the water service?
Seems to me that the private entrepreneurs willing to move have been treading water far too long and all that the city bureaucracy has done is thrown them an Anvil instead of a life preserving permit! Do city powers-that-be consider that such a service, available in short order, might be competition to an overpriced, misplaced connection to Queensborough?
Surely seniors, the disabled and commuters would be far more able to use the all-weather ferry service as they bring their packages, from the SkyTrain or River Market, than walk the extra distance in inclement weather. Missed boats for sure, but also potentially missed opportunities to secure an interesting tourist attraction for the downtown/Quay area at little cost to taxpayers. Who knows, maybue Queensborogh residents may also visit the Pier Park accessible close to a water ferry landing!
Maureen Albanese, New Westminster
