To the editor:
Why do residents of Bridge Lake oppose every change in the community?
They were against development of Heritage Island, and now they are against swapping a smaller parcel of land on the mainland, so Heritage Island can become public.
The developer (Julian Kenney) has spent an enormous sum of money in order to please Bridge Lake residents. We should be honoured a developer believes in our area.
Mr. Kenney built his home here, and he has his business here. He is a nature lover and an outdoorsman.
Mr. Kenney is not here to destroy; he is here to improve.
What do you think happened to the wildlife that lived on your waterfront property, your acreage and your lot before you moved there?
Why do you not want to share what you find so desirable?
What will happen to Bridge Lake if no new development takes place?
Who has been to Hendrix Lake, New Denver and Tulameen, etc.? They are ghost towns.
How many of the original homesteaders' family members still live at Bridge Lake? How many former residents have moved away?
In order to keep a community alive, we need development, growth and people.
Who will pay for roads, fire department, policing, forestry, schools and businesses, etc.?
Instead of opposing Julian Kenney, we should be welcoming him into our community.
Mr. Kenney is not building a factory; he is putting his hard-earned money at risk by opening up undeveloped land to the benefit of others.
People ask if he is doing this for a profit? If you had money, you might do the same.
Who subdivided your property and why?
Mr. Kenney is willing to provide what is required with little impact on residents. He is doing this with integrity, professionalism, respect, honesty and courtesy.
It is time we work with Mr. Kenney, and be his friend and his neighbour.
We should welcome him and accept him into our community.
Greta Rickenbacher, Chilliwack/Bridge Lake
