To the editor:

Re: Mrs. Grove’s letter (Record letters, Nov. 8), I do understand that the value of real estate is relative to the area in which the home is. Your point is taken.

As to letting my letter go unchallenged, I’m not seeing the challenge at all. You did not discuss the real core of what

I was supporting; price-gouging in Langley. In the legal world, this is called a deflection. No, it would not make me feel better if people lost money on the sale of their homes. That is why I am writing this in the first place.

If you want to debate with me then stick to Mr. Tapert’s boycott of a local restaurant for the outrageous prices they charge, or my letter addressing the obscene rates for local groceries and rent. That is the real challenge.

If you own a business you need to make a profit. I am not contesting that. But beware, when enough people start to boycott because they are being taken advantage of (i.e. exploitive profit through the circumstances of living on an island), and collectively begin to take action, don’t complain. An organized collective, weary of being taken advantage of, can lash back and cause serious pain to the pain-givers.

You said, “I agree with you that any community is a better, stronger and more vibrant place with children, families and a diverse population.”

Very nice. Had you ended here I would have wondered why I was responding to this. But you go on and show your true colors, “yet sometimes the reality of economics takes its toll on these qualities.” Are you talking about real estate, price-gouging, socio-economic status or just kindly saying, “If you can’t deal with it leave”? If it’s the latter, I must say that is not the way to a diverse population.

You continue with, “There are McMansions being built left and right around here, it seems, something that tends to raise property values.” What are you trying to say here? What is a McMansion? That sounds like a cut to those who have earned some money and would like to live someplace nice. It also smacks of some kind of justification for the appalling prices here.

Back to my point, Mrs. Grove; why should anyone — wealthy, middle class or poor — be subjected to price gouging? I would be happy to discuss this very real issue any time.

Shauna Tully

Langley