LETTER TO THE EDITOR | The child you get is not always the one hoped for

Editor, Such a howl of indignation has risen from Langley. Condominiums where the venerable Dog House once stood. And down the street, a sprawling three-story retail/condo complex along First Street, effectively walling off the remaining views of Saratoga Passage. But why should anyone be surprised? For years, the city has adopted an “anything for tourism” agenda: a multi-million dollar marina expansion, a $2 million tourist-friendly Second Street, and an $800,000 funicular — essentially a conveyor belt delivering tourists from Langley marina to downtown’s shops — is on the way.

June 10, 2014 6:52 pm

Editor,

Such a howl of indignation has risen from Langley. Condominiums where the venerable Dog House once stood. And down the street, a sprawling three-story retail/condo complex along First Street, effectively walling off the remaining views of Saratoga Passage.

But why should anyone be surprised? For years, the city has adopted an “anything for tourism” agenda: a multi-million dollar marina expansion, a $2 million tourist-friendly Second Street, and an $800,000 funicular — essentially a conveyor belt delivering tourists from Langley marina to downtown’s shops — is on the way.

No price is too high to keep low-wage tourism jobs in Langley!

Now Langley’s mayor is sitting on a committee that is pitching a proposal to raze much of the fairgrounds and replace them with a $10 million “events center” to lure still more tourists. As condo developer Richard Francisco gleefully told The Record “I’m seeing some great things in Langley.”

Yes, there is a great change underway — a new Langley is being born. But the city may soon find that the child you get is not always the child you were hoping for.

BRIAN LOWEY

Clinton