Editor:
Re: Canine debate dogs walkers, July 29 letters.
We recently had guests from Phoenix and took them for a walk along the waterfront, from East Beach to the pier. They were impressed.
I came to realize that it was the first time in over a year that I had walked along the boardwalk, although I live a handful of blocks from it. In fact, my dog and I run along the waterfront, but are forced to run along Marine Drive due to the ban on dogs on the boardwalk.
Why was it the first time in over a year? Because any dog owner will tell you that you wouldn’t dream of going for a walk while leaving an eager member of the family at home. The current bylaw is an incredibly poor one – lacking in creativity or consideration for all residents of White Rock. It is so one-sided that it begs to be disobeyed.
S. Ozero proposes to open the beach area to dogs October to May, as they do in Crescent Beach. While I appreciate the sentiment and is a step in the right direction, it is not an acceptable final solution. Relegating dogs owners to the rainy months to enjoy the boardwalk that their tax dollars pay for is not nearly enough.
What I propose is to open the beach area and boardwalk from the pier eastwards to, and including East Beach, to dogs year-round and to leave the pier and the beach area and boardwalk west of the pier as-is – no dogs allowed. This way, all citizens of White Rock and its visitors can have the opportunity to enjoy the waterfront.
For those that are just so opposed to sharing space with dog owners and their pets, they have plenty of space to roam, or perhaps they can go to Crescent Beach in the summer, tongue firmly in cheek. “Doggie-doo” stations placed along the way will keep the dog waste to a minimum. Denying responsible dog owners access to the waterfront because a handful of owners are not responsible, would be akin to banning cars from Marine Drive because some people speed. City council and staff, find a solution that is fair and equitable to all sides, because the current state is untenable. I believe my proposal is just that solution. The days of a couple of hundred people getting together and getting something banned must end in White Rock.
Michael J. Klaver, White Rock