Editor,

“Because it is there” may be a valid reason to climb a mountain, but it isn’t a justification for spending half a million dollars. I have an open mind about the proposed funicular at the Langley marina, and will need to be convinced that we need it before I will agree that we should spend the money involved. There is not only the half million dollars in grant money, but the additional money Langley will have to contribute to the construction followed by ongoing maintenance costs. The costs need to be offset by a benefit, and I have not seen one yet.

Our marina is quaint, but it does not seem to be particularly impressive. When I considered buying a sailboat and asked about docking it at the marina, I was told that there are only a very few slips and there’s a multi-year waiting list to get one. If the funicular were being considered as part of a marina expansion project I would be much more likely to favor it.

Looking around the marina I see a very limited number of businesses which would likely profit from improved access, and I wonder if it should be the place of the city to make such a large investment for so small a percentage of the population. If I saw the project as a benefit to the town as a whole, rather than a few businesses, I would be much more likely to favor it.

I will be at the April 14 meeting waiting to be convinced.

KIRK LACEWELL

Langley