Editor:
In 1971, Quadrant Development Ltd proposed the development of 3,524 housing units on the Southlands property. It was shot down. In 1989, TDL proposed the development of 1,895 housing units on the Southlands, and it was shot down. In 2011, Century Group proposed 950 housing units on the Southlands, and it too hasn't got anywhere.
Tsawwassen, as we know it, only came into being with the development of the George Massey Tunnel, ferry terminal and the re-routing of Highway 99 south through Delta, all in the 1960s. That's just 50 years - just a few generations - hardly time at all to claim tradition, rights or even norms (Ladner did at least exist as a small fishing and farming community since the late 1800s).
But as early as the 1970s there already were those who opposed growth and development or change of any kind at all.
The very existence of Tsawwassen is the result of people who had a vision for development. That type has long since been declared the public enemy, and not welcome. Selfish destroyers of our God given right to a nice quiet view. A view made possible not by God, pardon me, but by developers.
I understand that many people do not want change, particularly those who are older, who have forged their comfortable life through hard work, and who now want the benefit.
I live on farmland- not a farm - farmland; like everyone else in Ladner, and much of Tsawwassen. And while I would like farmland to be preserved, I'm not about to bulldoze my house and return it to the land reserve.
I guess I'm on the right side of the line, I get to keep what's mine and get to tell others what they can do with theirs - in the name of community, of course, or is it for the children? Well, whatever it's for, I get to keep what's mine, and that is the sum of my intention.
Peter Malim's recent letter, Stand up for community, was a piece of plain writing. He states with candor that he simply does not want change, or the hassles it brings. I get it; we all get that.
But to say that "we all have to stand up, make our voices heard, and win the battle" is completely inaccurate. The voices of the Peter Malims have been heard for over 40 years, and they have been winning, and winning - development in South Delta is almost non-existent.
The population has variously decreased, stagnated or increased so marginally as to have no impact - except negative impact; fewer children, fewer classes, fewer buses, fewer services.
Well, if you don't have kids, who cares about schools; if you drive, who cares about fewer buses; if you already have everything you need, who cares about services.
Century Group is not the threat. I could be glib and say that you are the threat, but that's not true; you and like minded people are not the threat, you are the fact. You are destroying this community and stealing its future.
When Sean Hodgins (a long time community member) states this town needs more people, he is not being "shamefully transparent." Developers do not hide the fact they want development, and do not regard that as a source of shame.
He is expressing a view held by many of Tsawwassen's business owners, businesses that cater to the needs of growing families, another endangered species.
I'm all for development: the development of our community, the development of our economy.
Fortunately, groups like Southlands the Facts can't oppose all development. We are finally getting a highway to the TransCanada, Deltaport is growing and growing, and while that may not seem to benefit me directly, it absolutely does because I am part of this economy, as are my children, and soon enough my grandchildren.
And economies, like communities, must grow or stagnate.
And the best news: the Tsawwassen First Nation mega-mall. Well, not great news for Tsawwassen business owners, but if their place in the community had been respected and valued, a plan might have already been in place to mitigate the impact the TFN development. But growth and development have no value in Tsawwassen.
Both Ladner and Tsawwassen will be impacted, but they will adapt. I, for one, will continue to shop locally as I already do, and will shop in the new mall in place of Richmond or Vancouver. TFN, Ladner, Tsawwassen, Richmond, Vancouver, and beyond, in my view, is my community. I wish them all to grow and prosper.
If a community does not grow, it either stagnates - as has Tsawwassen - or it ruptures with unstoppable growth. We are seeing that now with Deltaport, Gateway, container yards, Tsawwassen Mills, and hopefully a casino with a showcase theatre. It's not going to stop.
Self interest groups like Southlands the Facts have held back any semblance of natural community growth, a growth that takes into accounts all facets of community life, a growth that could have encompassed the whole of South Delta, not just the view on my own street.
Their own selfish intents have actively prevented the larger community from developing a strong sense of culture. Now it's just self interest groups, paving the way for the unstoppable self interest groups.
Congratulations, you got rid of the bath water. Oops, there goes the baby. Oh well, the view is worth it.
Garth Day
