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Cleaning up the 'shantytown'

Editor's note: This is a letter to Squamish's mayor and council. It was forwarded to The Chief for publication. Our town has a bylaw "to prevent unsightliness and other objectionable situations." Bylaw 1868 appears to cover all possible situations.

Editor's note: This is a letter to Squamish's mayor and council. It was forwarded to The Chief for publication.

Our town has a bylaw "to prevent unsightliness and other objectionable situations." Bylaw 1868 appears to cover all possible situations. Property owners have the responsibility to keep their premises safe and tidy. Noxious neighbours are a blight on our town and I strongly object to the continuing shantytown look of the Mamquam Blind Channel.

Water lots are the responsibility of the leaseholder in the same manner that a house lot is the responsibility of the owner, and not of the renter! A pile of unsightly stuff in your yard will get you a citation and possible fine from Bylaw Enforcement. The floating shantytown in the Blind Channel is a concern, which is growing since the three sinkings over the past few months. This said collection of derelicts presents a very negative view of the planned walkway which is in the Official Community Plan. The unsightly premises bylaw should apply to water lots as these are administered by our municipal government, the District of Squamish.

When does council intend to take action, and if not, why not, against the leaseholders of the offending water lots?

Since Western Forest Products can sue to clean up their water lot at Woodfibre, why cannot council initiate action, or the threat of action, against the delinquent leaseholders along the Mamquam Blind Channel? Many citizens would like an answer.

Jim Gracie

Squamish

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