Editor:
I have resided in Sechelt for the past 14 years, and as long as I've been here, the most bandied about term used to hold back the development of this potentially beautiful, small coastal town is the official community plan (OCP).
The OCP is basically a bad way to keep little disparate enclaves intact and apart from the whole, which is the District of Sechelt. The concept of separate OCPs was a bad idea from the beginning, and it's been like a damned anchor weighing down any possible progressive future. The various OCPs that presently constitute the overall plan for the District is comprised of momentary snapshots and a lot of wishful thinking by a minority of interested citizens.
I welcome the idea of a waterfront hotel and marina complex.
I'm encouraged that council has passed first reading regarding the East Porpoise Bay area, as the thought of having million-dollar townhouses in what is essentially a waterfront industrial area is inviting conflict.
I want better east/west access across the District. Too many times I have witnessed what a car accident can do on Highway 101 as far as traffic flow along our Coast corridor.
Our primary focus should be on the Trail Bay beachfront, and I would like to see a fund created to buy back waterfront properties in order to create one like in Campbell River - a long pier connecting the existing Wharf pier all the way along to Trail Avenue. Attempts at the creation of light industrial have failed and almost every tourist dollar we make is essentially from spinoffs from events taking place elsewhere on the Coast.
I thought electing a council was for the creation of a representative of citizens who would make decisions for the overall best interests of the community? We need more action and a lot less talking.
Doug Hockley
Sechelt
