Editor:
Re: Not about city choosing its victims, Oct. 1 letter.
One wonders what White Rock Coun. Larry Robinson hopes to gain by publicly berating the mayor and some fellow councillors for their comments on rail safety.
Why doesn’t he put his energies into working with the mayor and council to come up with a plan to improve the safety of our waterfront?
This should not be about scoring brownie points and serving self-interest before the next election. It makes his future plans all too obvious.
And, by the way, has he ever looked at the writing on those tanker cars indicating their contents? It makes the coal-dust argument appear minuscule.
I suggest that council examine all the facets of this issue, not just beach access.
As a former Transport Canada employee, I can assure you that while they make the final decision, public and municipal government input is always welcomed.
Simon Bergen-Henengouwen, White Rock
• • •
White Rock Coun. Larry Robinson confirmed in his Oct. 1 letter to the editor that “the parking lots and promenade are not White Rock land and are not under White Rock legal jurisdiction.”
In the Sept. 17 Peace Arch News, Robinson stated council “looked like idiots” by changing their minds on the usage of the church adjacent to city hall (Robinson drops call, maintains criticism).
Yet, this is the same Larry Robinson who put his hand up, at the November 2011 all-candidates meeting in favour of allowing the estimated 40 per cent of White Rock residents who own dogs to walk their dogs on the Promenade.
In fact, five of the current seven council members were in favour of allowing residents to walk their dogs on the Promenade – at least in fall and winter – yet only Coun. Helen Fathers was still in favour after being elected.
So why did council include banning dogs on the Promenade in their recent Bylaw 2000, when they do not have the jurisdiction, according to Robinson?
If Robinson is worried about “looking like an idiot,” perhaps he should review his own actions.
In the meantime, enjoy walking your dog on the Promenade. Don’t forget to pick up after them!
M. Armstrong, White Rock
(Editor’s note: While the Promenade is BNSF property, the City of White Rock – as lessee of the public space – is tasked to regulate users’ conduct and has prohibited dogs there.)