Letters to the Sun: High hopes for the waterfront

Re: Last piece of the waterfront puzzle; Memo shows key parties aligned on planning to develop crucial site

I read this column with more than just a casual interest: My roots here are deep and my love for Vancouver is strong. I lived my early years in a rental house that still exists, just off the corner of Pendrell and Thurlow in the West End.

Growing up in the West End was a treat. Stanley Park was my park. English Bay was my beach. Crystal Pool was my pool.

My dad and I would walk from our house to vaudeville theatres on Hastings Street. He loved going there and I admit the shows were pretty entertaining. I did not feel really comfortable walking around there on Sunday afternoons, but did not know why. In retrospect, it was because I never felt really safe.

Over time, I have observed the area getting worse despite all the money spent there. One cruise company has apparently advised its passengers not to go to Gastown on daylong stopovers due to safety issues. Crime in the downtown is creeping all over. I was invited to a reception recently but declined due to safety concerns. The last place I want to be at 5:30 p.m. in the dark is the 100 block of West Hastings.

In my view, we are only hearing about the tip of the iceberg.

About a week or so before she died, Sun columnist Shelley Fralic and I talked about this. We agreed the area needs a total redevelopment. Move the residents away and into housing with appropriate supports. Develop the area into a combination of business and residential areas that are friendly to residents and tourists alike, and which would become a significant tax hub for the city. We agreed a public / private partnership was the way to go. The last thing we said to each other was that it was our dream to be able to meet up with family and friends in the area late on a warm, summer night, have a drink in our hands, and enjoy the area rather than fearing for our safety.

This column gave me hope. I was a bit dismayed to see the memorandum of understanding was signed in May but not made public at that time. This is the kind of news we all need to hear.

How wonderful it is to go into old cities that are safe with historic districts that are welcoming to all. Where is our history? Gastown and the surrounding area. Safe? No. Welcoming to tourists or taxpayers? Not really. I am very pleased to see this private/public proposal, but in order for it to succeed, something will have to be done about the Downtown Eastside.

Dennis J. Magrega, Vancouver?

Chrystia Freeland is trying to save her own neck and reputation

Re:?Chrystia Freeland stands up for Canada

Normally, I enjoy and agree with most of Tasha Kheiriddin’s columns but not this one.

I think Chrystia Freeland is merely trying to save her own neck and reputation after being fired by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who is also trying to save his own disastrous management of government affairs. By not accepting another cabinet post, Freeland is stabbing Trudeau in the back by distancing herself from any blame for decisions for which she is also responsible. She appears to hope that, by remaining an MP, there might be a possibility she is re-elected even if she has to sit in opposition.

She also chooses to make her announcement only hours before she is expected to announce the increased deficit and overspending of the Liberal government of $60 billion.

Reading Kheiriddin’s final comment “Thank you, Chrystia Freeland for standing up for yourself — and for Canada,” it looks as if she has, unfortunately, succeeded.

Jill Horn, West Vancouver

Liberals should consider Melanie Joly for leader

In my experience, many small “l’ liberals are overjoyed at the news of Chrystia Freeland’s resignation. She has never been liked by many people who wished that she had never been given cabinet roles, and who would never vote for Freeland as leader of the federal Liberal party as an option to the federal Conservative’s leader and his party. If she were the leader, they wouldn’t vote at all, unless they felt comfortable voting for the federal NDP.

So, if the federal Liberals want a chance of winning the next election, and if Trudeau decides to step down as leader of the federal Liberal party, the federal Liberal party needs to choose a new leader who appeals to most Canadians, a younger, well-spoken and bilingual person with a strong track record in difficult cabinet posts, someone like Melanie Joly.

Joly could bring a fresh and hopeful possibility for Canadians, someone who could present positive messages about Canada in a way that Canadians want to hear, a way that could counter the current federal Conservative leader’s very negative rhetoric about our country.