Pubdate: Thu, 09 Oct 2003
Source: Hope Standard (CN BC)
Copyright: 2003 Hope Standard
Contact:  http://www.hopestandard.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1397
Author: Terry Vickerman

IS THE PARK TO BE LEFT TO DRUG DEALERS OR COMMUNITY?

Editor: The Hope Standard

Re: The political opportunism of parks and fear mongering:

The recent hype that has been occurring over the malperceived changes to 
park use within the District of Hope has taken on the "ode du election 
campaign au past defeatus".

I find it absolutely amazing that anyone would think that a Council, the 
current one or any in the future would, either as a collective or as 
individual Members trot out a suggestion that Hope's parks become a haven 
for hawkers and purveyors of trinkets and junk food. If such ever did occur 
you can bet your last roll of toilet paper that the Council that approves 
it would only do so with proven massive public consent. The reasoning is 
very simple. Politicians in a democracy are generally, individually, and 
collectively, seekers of the common ground.

It seems that this whole park issue is linked to a political resurgence of 
the ghosts of recent elections. Were it not for the vicious innuendo being 
applied in generous coats to the current Members of Council (whom I admit 
on their behalf are not perfect) and the District staff who seem to strive 
to protect the citizens more than their political masters, the natterings 
of a select few who do not yet realize that they have entered the glue 
factory of political horses would be quite trite.

The reality is that we have to take care of our parks and the best way to 
do so is to use them. Memorial Park is the ultimate case in point. It has 
become the prefect of drug dealers and buyers and is a Class A training 
area for recent RCMP grads. We need to take back Memorial Park before it 
becomes Hope's equivalent to the green spaces of Vancouver's Hastings area. 
Let's put it to use for all of us as the original Provincial grant 
intended, a place of fun and pleasure for all. What is wrong with putting 
in an amphitheater, a water park for the kids and a combo playing 
field/concert area? What is wrong with holding the Briggie Ball under our 
big trees in ideal weather and saving the arena for the wet and blustery 
years? Our parks are ours, to cherish, to use, and to preserve forever if 
we so desire and we can do so in many ways. Allowing them to be used as 
political footballs is the lowest form of degradation we can subject them to.

Terry Vickerman

Hope, B.C.
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MAP posted-by: Larry Stevens