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.