To the Editor,
Re: Council backtracks on exploring Linley funding, March 15.
On Feb. 27, Nanaimo council passed a motion made by Coun. Bill Bestwick. It asked staff to investigate and report back about all possibilities for protecting potential parkland/sensitive ecosystems (other than outright purchase) by consulting experts on this matter.
The motion was in response to a group seeking to protect Linley Valley West.
At the next council meeting of March 12, Coun. Bill McKay sought to revisit the motion of two weeks before.
After being assured by staff there was a mechanism for this, he was able to again make the motion. In spite of very reasoned arguments by Couns. Fred Pattje and Jim Kipp, this time the motion failed.
It is disappointing that city councillors have not seen fit to educate themselves about alternative methods of protecting sensitive ecosystems and habitat.
Linley Valley West is only one example of land that may be desirable for protection in the future.
Barbara Hourston
Nanaimo