Dear Editor,
I have just returned home from a Richmond city council meeting where six members of the Steveston community presented reasons for seeking community consultation with respect to a decision made to install a laneway in between Richmond and Broadway Streets from 2nd Avenue to No. 1 Road in Steveston.
We have had a sewer collapse prematurely in our rear yards requiring immediate repairs. All 36 affected residents of the block agree and understand that a sewer replacement is necessary.
However, what we do not understand is the apparent behind-closed-doors decision to use the sewer work as a stepping stone to remove the rear 10 feet of all yards and install a permanent asphalt laneway, without any meaningful consultation with our community.
Two weeks ago, a letter was left in our mailboxes saying that the sewer had broken down and temporary lines were installed across many of our front yards preventing us from using any of our garages. We were told that in two days there would be an opportunity to ask questions at an informal gathering at Steveston Community Centre.
At those meetings, we were shown diagrams of where the city planned to dig up and remove 10 feet of our yards thereby destroying trees, sheds, and water features that we have installed and maintained for many years.
We understood that this had to be done in order to repair the sewer lines. What we have not been told to this day is why the city is spending hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars paving a lane without considering any other options.
Due to the fact this decision was made in a closed-door session, no discussion was allowed at the council meeting either with or among the councillors. And, the only questions that were asked of the six presenters were from Coun. Carol Day.
Besides feeling that the mayor and city council has been less than transparent about this whole issue, I and many who were there were appalled at how the mayor spoke to Coun. Day. In my opinion, his handling of the issue — and Ms. Day’s attempt to show support for our request for community consultation — was totally inappropriate and could be viewed by some as an abuse of his power as the mayor of our city.
You may not agree with what a member of your council has to say, but to speak to her in the manner he did, was disgraceful.
This issue that we are facing in Steveston is far from over, and with an election year approaching, some of our city councillors, including our mayor, had better take a good long look in the mirror at how they are handling matters that impact so many members of our Richmond/Steveston community.
For those interested in voicing your opinion, please see our Facebook page at Facebook.com/Groups/NoStevestonLaneways.
Shelley Ail
Richmond
