Editor:
Re: South Surrey urged to join White Rock, Aug. 4.
White Rock Coun. Grant Meyer should be congratulated, but he’s facing the wrong way!
I’ll be charitable and ascribe Meyer the most worthy motives: He should be congratulated for his crusade in search of a solution to White Rock’s continuing decline.
However, he is naive in thinking South Surrey would have the slightest interest in leaving a dynamic, future-oriented city to join White Rock – the high-tax basket case where a small but vocal group seems steadfast in refusing to accept change and today’s realities.
City of White Rock ‘community’ is, in reality, only a neighbourhood. Unsustainable in every sense – too small and limited to shape an effective vision and strategy of its own – White Rock is, in fact, just one part of our true, high-potential community that extends Peninsula wide.
Practically all our local cultural, environmental and economic associations operate under a uniting, dual White Rock/South Surrey banner. But not our local government? There is something wrong here.
Local-government amalgamation is the answer.
City of Surrey must absorb White Rock, in a simple, mutually beneficial transformation under the existing provisions of the Local Government Act. The Corporation of the City of White Rock as a legal entity should be dissolved forthwith.
White Rock neighbourhood should seek to join South Surrey, alongside Ocean Park, Crescent Beach, Grandview etc. This re-invented ‘White Rock’ can then take a leading role in consolidating and focusing the true community – across the Peninsula and beyond.
Robert Tibbs, White Rock
Quixotic undertaking
Bravo to Coun. Grant Meyer for attempting a good offence, rather than preparing a good defence.
The buzz on coffee row is “amalgamation” with Surrey, and you can pick any number of incidents in the past few years to illustrate White Rock’s increasing need to get into Surrey’s deep pockets.
However, Meyer – facing re-election and a possible demand for a referendum – has pointed to that fantasy from the past, that proverbial windmill, mounted his brave horse, and is certain the White Rock takeover of the increasingly prosperous property owners of South Surrey is a worthy goal. His banner promises direct access for deprived Surreyites to city hall in White Rock.
I do enjoy the personal service of our staff and professionals. But, truth be known, the City of Surrey website is a marvel of information, and a phone call to the appropriate department brings a personal response to fulfill even the most inquiring of minds.
If we followed the logic of providing a city hall within short distance for every resident of the 19 municipalities of GVRD, we would easily double in city councils, administrations and staff. In these times of economic contraction, is Meyer promoting tax-supported bureaucracy as a growth business? What is the opposite of amalgamation?
Today, I banked in White Rock and walked across North Bluff to the Semiahmoo Mall, and immediately saw the wide sidewalk, treed boulevard, mosaic, landscaped buffers and even benches. I looked back across the White Rock wall to vacant businesses, heaving side walks, and dilapidated storefronts.
Well done, Coun. Meyer, riding off in pursuit of that windmill of fantasy, but time has moved on and White Rock is now little more than yesterday’s dream.
Larry Robinson, White Rock
Ask the right question
There is no interest on the part of South Surrey residents to abandon Surrey to join White Rock.
Why is the question raised?
White Rock is heavily taxed and poorly administered. It is plain to see that it is too small to exist as a city.
The elected officials in White Rock need to consider offering White Rock’s property owners a way to express their opinion on the question, “Do you want to join the City of Surrey?” The result might be interesting.
Bob Hawkins, Surrey