The Editor,
Re. "Transportation plan doesn't go far enough, says Port Coquitlam mayor" (The Tri-City News, Nov. 15).
Kudos to Port Coquitlam council for adopting a "modest" master transportation plan (MTP), even if more can be done, as Mayor Greg Moore rightly suggests.
I can remember when not long ago, Port Coquitlam was mostly focused on moving cars around better. It strikes me the MTP achieves a reasonable balance between greater mobility choices and the reality that this transformation will take time and lots of money. The good news is that Port Coquitlam's plan aligns well with those in Coquitlam and Port Moody to support sustainable living in this fast-growing part of the Lower Mainland.
Unfortunately, finding the resources to implement even this modest plan are seriously at risk with the looming TransLink referendum.
Despite the naysayers, the referendum can be won. For example, in car-crazy Los Angeles, a transportation referendum held during the 2008 financial crisis passed by more than 67%.
I would caution we must not give TransLink an open chequebook and instead demand clarity on the plans to be implemented with performance measures that hold the organization accountable for delivery.
I urge all Tri-City political leaders - and the community at large - to push for a referendum question that shows clearly the choice facing taxpayers: pay modestly now for better mobility or face enormous costs later from congestion, uncompetitive trade, air pollution and related medical costs (and, ultimately, the undermining of the very livability we all want for our kids).
Joe Sulmona, Coquitlam
