Editor,

I agree with Ron Kasprisin’s March 14 assertion that, “continuous, vociferous and intense support” for the Langley funicular is suspect. The city and a few others, including Kasprisin himself, have tried for years to push this project through with little public awareness or participation. In 2008, Kasprisin facilitated several months of closed-door meetings with the city planner, Larry Cort, and Paul Schell to plan development of the waterfront featuring mechanical assist to Cascade Avenue and determining changes to zoning codes regarding height restrictions and setbacks from the bluff to support it.

I disagree that Langleyites should withhold opinion until the new city planner, Michael Davolio, provides his recommendation to the city council. That is not how a democratic process works. Davolio is requesting we provide our inputs at the public meeting, set for April 14, so he can use them in reaching a conclusion. Kasprisin indicates the new city planner does not need input from the community to form an “objective” opinion. The former city planner, Jeff Arango, did not want community input. We have yet to see how important public input is to Davolio.

The city planner works for the mayor and alongside many city council members that strongly support the funicular and are eager to see it come to fruition. If the city planner recommends a funicular, the proposal goes to the council for vote. With Mayor Fred McCarthy and this council, the funicular will proceed.

It is wrong for Kasprisin to say that the city planner should decide what is best for Langley because the planner is “experienced, knowledgeable, and objective.” Who decides “objective”? Is that possible? The community should not step back and entrust this important decision to the planner and city leaders. Each of us has experience, knowledge, and the ability to reason. Our conclusions are equally important and should be considered crucial to the city.

Most already have an opinion of the funicular, whether they want to fund it, if they think it is needed and will provide great benefit to the city and whether they think the risks are acceptable. The public meeting is the best and possibly only visible opportunity that individuals will have to provide input to the city planner before his recommendation.

Speak soon or forever hold your peace. Mark your calendar April 14.

PATRICK RYAN

Langley