Editor,

I have declined to publicly comment due to my retirement stresses of economics and family concerns. However, I recently had the pleasure of a conversation at The Goose with the paper’s retired publisher and former editor, Jim Larson, who suggested he was looking for a letter from me in the paper.

I have read the comments of Bob Waterman, with whom I whole-heartedly agree that demolition should not be permitted until the owner presents facts that there is no other alternative. When I first read of their purchase from the bank for $1 more than what the bank required, with what appears to be little experience running a business nor with the necessary working capital or ability to raise the money to make the necessary improvements — the figure given to a friend of mine was $1 million — I was appalled that the business community of Langley didn’t come forward with a joint effort to raise the money to make it a successful business or to buy out the couple.

It has sat empty without tenants nor open for visitors for approximately three years or longer at the main intersection in Langley. It’s no wonder that its counterpart across the street has also has sat empty, and that other businesses have closed. One successful business owner in Langley has expressed concern to me about what is being done to improve the business climate.

In my day, we had leaders in this city who knew the heavy hitters and they made it possible for Paul Schell’s lender to take first position when he purchased the Inn at Langley, and they were paid off within a short period of time. It was a win for the city, the community and the investors who believed in Paul Schell.

Apparently, the heavy hitters within our community were never convinced that this was an investment worth pursuing, or that this couple never wanted to keep the Dog House, no matter what its unparalleled and historic value to the city and Langley’s business future.

I suggest those individuals that want the Dog House to be saved form a leadership group, get its team together and see if they can’t make another win-win situation for the city of Langley.

JOHN WATSON

Clinton