The Editor,
Last Sunday, the annual Terry Fox Hometown Run was held, which serves two purposes: raising money for cancer research and honouring Port Coquitlam’s most famous citizen. I am proud to volunteer at this event and I find most people are respectful and kind to one another, the organizers and the volunteers.
But the attitude of some people astounds me.
This event has been happening in September for 37 years, starting at Hyde Creek rec centre and turning down Coast Meridian Road. It is well advertised and well known locally. Evidence of this lies in the fabulous turnout, even when we expected rain (which, thankfully, held off).
So why do the traffic control people still have fools getting out of their vehicles shouting and making threats between 9 and 10 a.m. on the morning of the run?
Yes, I’m talking to you, the man who tried to get through the barricade at Ulster and Laurier at about 9:30 a.m.
And you, the guy who had to get to the strip mall near the 7-Eleven, then tried to turn down Laurier at Coast Meridian at 9:55 a.m., when the run was starting five minutes later. Your licence plate numbers were noted and given to the RCMP, and your actions and words were reported in detail.
The safety of 3,000 men, women, children and dogs is, by far, more important than your errand at a dollar store, the ice cream parlour or the gaming shop. From 8 a.m. to noon on the day of the Terry Fox Run, Laurier is closed to all but specific traffic, and from 9:30 to 11 a.m., no vehicular traffic may go down or across Laurier. Period. And it has been every year for over 35 years.
If you live in the neighbourhood, you might want to either participate in the run or make other plans for that morning. Yes, I’m talking to you, the guy who complained that this happens every year when you want to go to church at 9 a.m. and come home at 11 a.m. Maybe leave early for church and go out for lunch afterward?. It’s only once a year and you know well in advance that it’s happening.
If you don’t live in the neighbourhood, whatever you need is going to have to wait, or you can park somewhere and walk. Yes, I’m talking to you, the man who wanted to go for breakfast at KC’s on Prairie and tried to go down Laurier at Coast Meridian to get there.
It’s a maximum of four hours out of your year, for a good cause. Get over it.
Sandra Nelson,
Port Coquitlam
