I am responding to Cindy Ling’s letter [“Move out of Powell River or step aside,” March 20]. Why is it so wrong to want to maintain a small community that is safe for children, has a low crime rate, people say hello to you and where retailers and staff working in services such as banks and offices, et cetera, take the time to talk to you. People come to Powell River for these reasons.
When I moved to Powell River 10 years ago, it was because it was a small community, housing was very cheap compared to Vancouver where I lived and there was less crime.
I was amazed at bank tellers, who took the time to know their customer and acknowledged them when they walked into the bank. Store managers talked to their customers in aisles of the grocery store. You certainly do not get that in a city. I moved here, too, for the natural beauty of Powell River that one could experience in the outdoors. I left a city for what Powell River had to offer.
I did not move here in the hope that Powell River would grow to eventually become what I had left behind: high crime rate, traffic, tall concrete high rises, expensive housing. With the small growth that is happening already in Powell River, housing has doubled in price since I arrived here. How is that good for a community?
If Ms. Ling wants to experience this then it is she who should probably move out of Powell River because, obviously, Powell River is not offering what she needs.
Marlene Chamberlain
Cranberry Street
