Myles Johnston
Are governments in touch with their constituents? Helena Klimo owns a house in the British Properties and is angry that the trees between her house and the main road are being cut down. The trees cut down the noise from the road, but they ruin the view of the neighbors on the north side of Millstream road. Her neighbors only need 80% of the neighborhood to say yes to getting rid of the trees even if the result will not affect them in any way. After that the city of West Vancouver will give them the permit to cut down the trees. How is the city making a choice for the better of its people? The city is just following an old regulation and not caring about the result. They should look at what is being asked and then make a decision that is for the good of everyone. Maybe trimming the tops of the trees would make both groups happy by cutting the noise and having a view above them. I came up with a possible solution in five minutes, but that worries me because either the city is too lazy to research the problem or they just don’t care and that worries me more.
At the North Shore Transfer Station in North Vancouver there are six flag operators on the road doing nothing except standing in the middle of the road. They are only there in case there is a sudden rush and the traffic needs to be controlled. Binnie Nastasi the owner of Bridge Between pub is losing business because people think it is under construction and turn around. Also with the economic problems in the world how can the city pay six people to stand there for “just in case” situation? The city could come up with many solutions to the problem that would save them money and make the citizens happy. There may not be a big difference in the city’s bank account, but it would make it look like the city is being careful with its money and that would make the people of the city happier.
So how can a municipality, whether it’s North Vancouver or West Vancouver, say they are doing the best for their people when they are following guidelines without looking for the reason they are following those guidelines? I think cities should relook things that are happening that make people angry, because they are getting angry for a reason. Helena is losing a noise cushion because the neighbors can get away with it. Residents of North Vancouver are getting angry because they see their city wasting money in troubled times. These cities need to get their acts together and make their citizens happy.
