May 17,21MNJEXPRESSPage 4 opinion Don't bite Library access is $50 per No benefit Try the EXPRESS year. We already have fire the RDCK! and police protection. Is the to joining David Dear Editor: City of Nelson going to last the City Thompson and dig through bedrock for PHONE: (250) 354-3910 EDITORIAL 354-1118 FAX 352-5075 It was with fascination the multitude of rural prop- Dear Editor: library 554 WARD STREET, NELSON, B.C. VIL IS9 that I read the editorial, In last week's editorial, E-MAIL: express@expressnews.bc.ca 'Taking a bite out of the erties to give us water and you advocated incorporat- Dear Editor: OFFICE HOURS: Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. RDCK'. The proposition is sewer? One suspects that ing the North Shore into the For the past few months, to extend the Nelson city the City Council would, City of Nelson. For many I have been volunteering boundaries with the imme- indeed, quickly opt to 'take years, this idea has been cir- three hours a week to help Be careful diate advantage of taxes going to the city coffers. The editorial then suggests it slowly'. So, what would we non- residents gain? Higher culated and has never been attractive to the residents of the North Shore. at the David Thompson Library. I find this work challenging, interesting, taxes, certainly. I query, with our that the "new residents could expect services - city water, sewer and garbage however, if it is worth the hundreds, if not thousands Incorporation into the City of Nelson would increase property taxes by and fun. There is one thing puzzling me; why don't more people use this excel- of added tax dollars which waterfront pick-up, to name a few". Furthermore, the author sensibly suggests that if would be charged, just for rural residents to avoid a bi- monthly trip to the dump. 50% r more. What would we get for the extra money? Replacing our water and lent library? There is a vast collection of books and periodicals at providing these services is sewer systems is an impracti- this Fairview location, This editorial is about the need for caution to expensive for the city, As for becoming a partici- cal pipe dream. Garbage mostly concerned with the when discussing any development planned for then Nelson could defer pant in the economy of the pickup might be possible, but Liberal Arts. providing these services and fair city, just what does the our waterfront. We've said it before, and we're at what cost? The only thing Personally, I am enjoying charge lower taxes. author think I do as I spend saying it again: Development on our waterfront "moving in a positive direc- borrowing different Now, I am no accountant, my dollars at the local busi- tion' would be our tax bills. Beethoven cassette tapes needs to be undertaken with the utmost fore- but sometimes I can do ness? True. Non-residents The North Shore non-citi- every week from the exten- thought and care. math. All of us out of the gain from living near zens of Nelson already pay sive music collection. Our city council needs to really take their city limits already have a Nelson, but it is foolish not too much property tax for So, people of Nelson and water supply. Sewage? Not to recognize that Nelson time when deciding on these development too little government in the district, when you want to one house is built that does also gains from those same issues. A can-do, open for business attitude is way of services. borrow a book, don't forget not have an existing septic non-residents as they pro- Incorporating into the city to check out this library - great, but not when it comes at the expense of system. That leaves vide an invaluable boost to of Nelson would only make membership is free. future generations' enjoyment of prime proper- garbage. At $2 a bag, one the local economy. a bad situation worse. ty. Commercial development can mesh with bag per week, it costs us C. L. Linley, $124 per year, and a trip to Ian Gleave, Steve Stewart, public spaces, and meet the esthetic values we Nelson Nelson the dump twice a month. Six Mile hold dear. It just has to be done right. The negative comment we hear most from our commentary Nelson is in serious trou- could juggle while throwing visitors deals with how our past waterfront ble - what could be the two pins behind their back development happened. 'You've got this great stretch of land along the death of our community in Youth are our future at the same time. A power- ful dream - paid for it in as little as fifteen years. And lake," they say. "Besides the park, the dominant I can't understand why that sweat equity - but they features are works yards, an airstrip, a transfer is. We have award winners in business, music, art; and weren't very good. Not enough experience performing for still this is happening to our fine community. Nelson, the an audience. But for one movement of grace, as those two station.' one-generation town. A one hit wonder. pins disappeared behind their back, I shared a dream. Let's be careful not to develop any more of We have a globally renowned school of medicine; award That moment you could almost hear the applause through our precious waterfront without proper public winning business programs; and internationally known the glint in their eye that said, "I can do this." consultation. This is our land - we should have schools of art and music. Nelson's community services We can all make a difference. What we are doing is a say in how it evolves. are a center for national pilot programs. And that's just a choosing to tell our youth that they can't use the bad- sketch. All this opportunity... But what about youth? minton hall for their dances, talk to their friends on Baker The Official Community Plan says that we Youth is the mark of longevity of a community. It's as Street, or attempt to make something of their dreams and must recognize the public nature of this simple as that. energy. We could be choosing to encourage Community, resource, and that the waterfront should remain Loiterers. Buskers. Our community has national and the life, of Nelson. accessible to the public with a green area, "a international exposure - and we are communicating to Frankly the bottom line of what makes a community stretch of natural beauty within an urban set- youth that their dreams and their public presence have no viable is not being communicated or recognized in any place on the streets of Nelson. meaningful way. In Banff, within 10 minutes, this aspiring ting.' Perhaps as a minimum, we should ask for I work as an entrepreneurial management consultant for performer would have been fined more than they make. a 10 meter wide strip of linear park to run the youth. They have no money and little experience. During those ten minutes they would have been surround- length of our frontage. Immense creative energy when they've a mind to it - with ed by tourists taking pictures of what is immediately rec- Above all, public input is needed. City Hall only their own dreams for directing that energy. ognized, even sought out - a unique display of Canadian has a history of bypassing public consultation I can refer you to a recent government survey for this Culture. When "confronted" by a (fast-footed) youthful region that sites the barriers to youth are a lack of : 1 - entrepreneur those visitors to Banff buy several hundred on big issues. Let's not allow that to happen on Jobs, 2 -Educational opportunities, 3 -Community dollars worth of handmade jewelry and hacky-sacks in five this one. awareness and education, and 5 -Accessibility of funding. or six hours. From a blanket space. The bottom line for The waterfront belongs to all of us. Let's Barrier #4 -Prejudice, is quite telling. When I walk down busking and loitering on Baker Street can be summed up make sure that our politicians listen to what we Baker Street, dressed to work with young entrepreneurs, I for downtown businesses in one number. Closing Baker have to say about its development. sometimes see in the eyes of others what they see - recrim- during StreetFest last year brought in 25 - 35 million dol- ination, disdain, fear. Who is being challenged by that? lars in revenue for Nelson downtown businesses. Many fail to recognize the identity of Canadian culture Ross Turchyn - Canada's infamous national identity crisis. Yesterday I Mr. Turchyn works with youth in Nelson as an gave two loonies to a busker out front of Darwin's who entrepreneurial consultant OWNER and PUBLISHER: Nelson Becker EDITOR: Stephen Harris PRODUCTION: Julie Swenson Letters to the Editor guidelines: ACCOUNT REPRESENTATIVE: Sharon Butler We encourage our readers to write to us. Letters are a require some research, and should offer new information as DISTRIBUTION: Eugene Schmunk (354-1100) way for you to speak to your community, to give new infor- well as an opinion. ADMINISTRATION: Adrienne Fifield mation, participate in a discussion or express an opinion. If you wish to write a commentary, please contact the May 17, 2000 Volume 12, Number 27 ISSN 1196-7471 Please address letters meant for publication to the Editor. The Express Newspaper is owned by Kootenay Express Communication Corp. Editor. We do not accept open letters or poetry of any kind. 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