To the Editor,
Re: Bylaw falls victim to poor planning, Reporter’s Viewpoint, Feb. 26.
Toby Gorman’s column articulated what my wife and I have been thinking for years since locating in the Oakridge area more than 40 years ago.
Planners want to plan properly, but, unfortunately, are overruled by whatever municipal council is in power, as their mandate, first and foremost, regardless of circumstance, is to serve the business community first and the needs of the community becomes, in certain circumstances, a distant second.
The residents of Nanaimo could be better served and Gorman’s article is a prime example of the somewhat fantasy world of development and its so-called benefits versus the reality of building a healthy, viable community benefitting all residents of all walks of life.
One day exiting Oakridge Drive onto Hammond Bay Road, I waited while 20 vehicles following a school bus made their way past me and I, in turn, became the 21st captive to the schedule and the rules of the road regarding the various buses which service Hammond Bay Road.
Even without the new development at Stephenson Point Road, we are at gridlock now and the safety of cyclists, pedestrians and vehicle drivers is being put at risk.
Alan Gustafson
Nanaimo