In response to, Letter: Don鈥檛 tell me what to worry about with LNG [published July 25]:
I am a 70 year old woman living in Squamish since 1993.
Since then I have seen many changes.
鈥he forest industry, a renewable resource, which provided a living wage, was decimated by government policy.
鈥he change to a recreation-based economy where people struggle to make ends meet.
鈥he growth of the population to include many who work in the Lower Mainland and live here, for the lifestyle. ie outdoor recreation at your doorstep.
鈥he change in the tax base from industrial to residential.
Have I liked all of these changes? No.
Change is the reality of Squamish and I love the community enough to not divide people over something over which we have no control.
On the positive side for LNG, there will be living wages for people and a great increase in municipal taxes collected. This will help with all the infrastructure costs for an increasing population and could decrease the cost of residential taxes.
Regarding the threat from LNG workers, I have two grown daughters and a teenage granddaughter living in this town. Neither I nor they fear for their safety from these skilled tradespeople.
My husband worked in camp situations. That did not turn him into a raping, murderous monster.
My grandson is going into the carpentry/construction field.
Both he and I resent the inference that he would be a threat to you and yours because he is a tradesperson and has a job at LNG.
I agree with the floatel because it removes the pressure on our already stressed housing situation. I also feel that we are committing an injustice against those workers, and losing income for our local businesses by not allowing them to spend time and money in our town.
The government has decreed LNG is a go. Squamish Nation is in agreement with the project. It is time to gracefully accept it and get on with making Squamish a great place to live.
Squamish council, it is time to ratify the TUP and move on to other issues.
Cheryle Bass
Squamish
