Re: “B.C. reluctant to wade in,” July 17.
Why does it come as no surprise that Esquimalt council has rejected the Capital Regional District’s rezoning application and has instead proposed its own zoning restrictions? This latest episode is nothing more than the spoiled brat in the sandbox who won’t share toys with the others.
It should have been abundantly clear to council during the recent public hearings that area residents have had enough of the bickering, given that only 500 people attended versus the total population of approximately 17,000.
As an Esquimalt resident, I, too, have concerns about the proposed location, given its proximity to the cruise-ship terminal. But for Coun. Meagan Brame to say that passing council’s own zoning conditions “gives us more leverage with the province” is downright ludicrous.
Environment Minister Mary Polak has stated clearly that she does not want to use her leverage and force the issue and instead is urging both sides to come together and reach an amicable agreement. We all know from past experience with the policing fiasco of a few years ago that if the province steps in, Esquimalt won’t like the results.
It’s time for both the CRD and Esquimalt to just grow up and stop acting like spoiled brats.
Al Deacon
Esquimalt
