Library dilemma
I wish to applaud City of Powell River Councillor Chris McNaughton’s attempt to introduce a motion in council investigating other site options for a new library [“McNaughton stands alone,” February 27]. It seems as if the other council members have made an egregious error in dismissing this motion out of hand. The action taken by council will make it even more difficult to raise the necessary funds for this enterprise.
For their part, Charlie Kregel, head librarian, and his band of supporters have demonstrated intransigence and downright arrogance in demanding that the Willingdon area old arena site is the “only” viable option.
After such a long time, they are just now in the process of seeking an expensive consultant’s report on finding enough sources of funding to pay for their elaborate schemes. The estimated cost of $9.5 million will, in the end, be much more than that, probably an extra $2 million before the dust settles. This suggests that the consultant’s feasibility study will come back to bite them.
Kregel and the library board should realize that their inflexible stance will most likely result in the defeat of their plans if and when a referendum is called. It might even result in not getting a new library at all.
I say stop playing games, live within our means and bring on the referendum. It is the only way to settle this contentious issue which has seemed to drag on forever.
Michael Leahy
Manitoba Avenue
Reviving memories
I was just catching up on RSS feeds from the Peak, and enjoyed Joyce Carlson’s story on my old neighbourhood [“Townsite tosses its tarnish,” January 30].
There is obviously great community support for continued preservation of heritage, and I sense there could be interest in development of a walkable “Old Town,” carrying revitalization one step further. I don’t know if a strategic tourism plan has been drafted, but I hope elected officials are doing everything possible to market Townsite’s uniqueness, encourage investment and enhance public spaces.
The concept for Powell Stores’ redevelopment is exciting; it was sad to see photos of the boarded-up lower floor following last year’s fire (I have fond memories of rockin’ and rollin’ in The Cellar nightclub upstairs back in the 1970s). Congratulations also to Granada Restaurant on 40 years in business. My sweetheart and I enjoyed many wonderful dinners there back in the day...may it thrive for the next 40 years.
Whether or not the mill continues operations into the distant future, I hope Townsite’s future is secure as both a vibrant community and a heritage tourism destination.
Steve Williams
Cranbrook, BC
Time to listen to all
Once again I feel compelled to write about this elaborate waterfront Powell River Public Library that clearly only a select few want [“McNaughton stands alone,” February 27].
I have read online the rants of these people commenting that clearly those who don’t want this library don’t really care because if we did we’d all be showing up at City of Powell River council meetings. Well I do care, and have written two letters to our elected council stating my opinion that this library will be a tax burden to our already high taxes. Regardless what anyone says, we the people will be clearly footing a lot of this bill.
My reply back from Marie Claxton, city clerk, was that there would be a referendum regarding this, so unless this is a false statement I don’t feel the need to go to the meetings. I will wait for my say when this referendum is put forward. If this is false, I hope council will let us know and we will be at its town meetings.
I also find it odd that the elected council is encouraging fundraising for a library that has not been approved by the people. Once again, council, which was elected by the people of Powell River and not by a special interest group, must start listening.
Sandy Timms
Marine Avenue
Ode to the Sunshine Coast
I appreciate the note written by Dawn Adaszynski [“Storyteller disappoints long-time fan,” March 6]. Letters like hers are the only way we can learn when we have let someone down. So I’m grateful for Dawn taking the time to write.
I can understand why she was upset. I have written scripts like the one she has suggested about other towns. I have gone on (and on) about cinnamon buns (Maple Creek, SK). I have talked about butter balls (Stirling, ON) and bakeries (St. John’s, NFL). I have talked about swimming holes (Salt Spring Island, BC) and movie theatres (Port Hope, ON).
And because I have done all of these things before, I chose not to do them again in Powell River.
I try hard to keep the show fresh and unpredictable.
But that’s not the only reason I didn’t write about the wonderful poached eggs on avocado that Kelly made me at Edie Rae’s Cafe, or the incredible Zunga beer I had from Townsite Brewing or the best-ever fish tacos that I had at Costa del Sol Latin Cuisine on Friday night.
I chose to write an Ode to the Sunshine Coast because that’s the story I felt best illustrated Powell River. To me that’s what makes your home feel so wonderfully different from where I live: the landscape, the moss, the ferries, the fact that it is difficult to get to your neck of the woods and (because of that) more special. And that is what we try to do on our radio show—give people in different parts of the country a snapshot of what life is like somewhere else.
I tried my best to do that for the Sunshine Coast.
I’m sorry she didn’t enjoy the poem. I hope she will continue to enjoy the program.
Stuart McLean
CBC Radio, Host
The Vinyl Cafe
