Dear Editor,
Re: “If you didn’t walk, don’t talk,” Letters Aug. 12.
All the pioneers who have contributed so much to Richmond/Steveston development must have been offended by Gordon Kibble’s letter. We have walked the walk for many years!
Richmond has been my home for 88 years. I was born here in 1927 and I have always been involved in the development of our community. I have been a member of the South Arm Community Association, the Tram Society and the Richmond Archives. These are a few of the organizations I have worked with to help in Richmond/Steveston development.
As a teenager, I worked at the canneries, the Phoenix and the Imperial, during the summer and certainly supported the efforts of the fishermen.
The Interurban Tram was also a vital part of my life in going to school and to Vancouver for shopping and entertainment.
As a member of the Tram Society, our intentions were to restore the tram, replace the tracks and have it running along the old route — from Garry Street to Granville Ave. alongside Burnette secondary, beside the Richmond work yard to the oval.
It could have transported tourists to the activities there. However, the city stepped in, took the tram and it now sits as a static display, rather than a working tram as the sister tram is being used in Chilliwack.
The development of the condos along the dyke is a disgrace! The old Imperial Cannery site would also be a poor choice for a boardwalk. This land could be used for the expansion of the Steveston library and community centre.
The city’s decisions always seem to be in favour of more development, while the opinions of the general public are totally disregarded.
Have you had a good look at the destruction of the little post office park in Steveston? I have tried to persuade Richmond city council to restore this little park to its original use as it was dedicated in 1988 — a small oasis of calm in the bustling village of Steveston, but my efforts have been in vain.
My working life was in Richmond, 10 years as a supervisor of our church kindergarten, then as a kindergarten teacher at Brighouse elementary for the remaining 16 years; retiring in 1985.
The city has retained very few momentoes of our history.
It is my hope that the current planning department will determine that there should be no more development by ONNI, and their efforts to build their boardwalk be discarded. However, I feel our efforts are like blowing against the wind and nothing will be done to prevent this.
Geraldine Wray
Richmond
