The Editor,
Re. “Port Moody unveils land sale referendum question” and “Pollster says PoMo Q not clear enough” (The Tri-City News, Sept. 12), and “Boggled over referendum question” (Letters, The Tri-City News, Sept. 19).
The residents of Port Moody are being bribed to vote for the sale of the former fire hall and the works yard sites.
The question is confusing (three options) and gives only the benefits that the sale will accrue.
It doesn’t mention the negative factors of potentially selling to developers: traffic problems at a critical transportation hub, loss of one of the last public spaces, 26-storey towers adjacent to Rocky Point Park and Suter Brook.
The question is biased and is quite unfair. Of course we want a seniors’ centre, a library and a swimming pool (I added that). But these are amenities the city should have put in its long-range plan; development of public facilities should not be dependent on selling precious public land.
The majority of residents, I feel, are not opposed to development but this rush to build higher density, overcrowd our roads and delightful parks, local lakes and trails is insane.
Did you read the article by the mayors of Belcarra and Anmore describing the “zoo” occurring at Buntzen Lake? This is what Port Moody will face if we don’t move to more sensible development.
We want to retain the small-town character of Port Moody as stated in the OCP. Selling public land to highrise developers could result in losing everything residents hold dear. Do you want a city of concrete highrises or the beautiful town on the edge of the ocean?
Yvonne Harris, Port Moody
