EDITOR,
I would like to question the District's thought process when they decided with little or no notice whatsoever that they would be erecting 'No Parking' signs directly across from the Watershed Grill.
As an employee, I find this a very strange decision in controlling that section of road in Brackendale. If it is because parking there infringes on the bike lane, then shouldn't there be 'No Parking' signs along that whole stretch of road from Depot to Leskie's Crossing? There isn't, except for directly in front of the Watershed. There is also another bike lane across the road that can maintain two-way bike traffic. I know this as I use my bike to commute to work. There is also a dike with accessibility for bikers and walkers to use as well.
If it's because it's dangerous for people exiting their car and crossing the road, well, I have a solution for that. Every day I watch the majority of drivers speed through this stretch of road. As this is a major destination for out-of-towners to come and view the Bald Eagle Capital of the World, then surely we could make this a safer place to stop. Bring the speed limit down to the same limit as a school zone, install another crosswalk and speed bumps. By removing the parking across from the Watershed, you have now taking away an estimated 10-15 parking spots. Say each car averages three to four passengers - that's 30 to 45 people who can no longer be accommodated. And that is tourists dollars we are turning away. And as an employee, that is money I rely on to pay bills, pay rent, etc.
If you have ever been through there on the weekend, that parking lot is jammed up and cars park down the road. It's a zoo and now the District has chased those potential visitors/clients right out of town.
And where was our elected council when this decision was made or were they too, left in the dark? I sure hope they did not agree with this decision because I believe many of their platforms in getting elected was to draw more tourists and tourist dollars to this town.
I would say that the District should be ashamed but it would be hard to feel that way when you punch a 9-to-5 clock, have paid holidays, and dental and medical benefits. This is almost as good as when they closed the road last winter with a day's notice to the local businesses. Those businesses barely made it through on the skin of their teeth and now the District throws this curveball.
Enjoy your paid vacation,district employees, while the rest of us hard workers will have to work even harder.
Note: The owners of the Watershed did not know I wrote this and may or may not support my opinion.Mike Meloche
Garibaldi Highlands
