As someone who grew up in Trail, and returns annually to visit aging parents and enjoy the outdoor life that it and the surrounding areas have to offer, it pains me to see “For Lease” signs and many vacant buildings in a once vibrant and financially viable city - long considered the heart of the West Kootenay.
Re: Consequences to pedestrian bridge (Letters to the Editor, Trail Times, Aug. 12) – you are exactly right! We all need to live with our consequences, and it seems to me the people of Trail have lived with them for many years, and mostly to their detriment. Prevailing, outdated attitudes have left this one stalwart community a mere shadow of its former self.
The value of businesses and properties will continue to deteriorate without drawing some new ideas and new blood into the area.
Reading the pamphlets issued by the City of Trail, it appears the city is not trying to bully, but perhaps inform people of the options available and the consequences of said options. In a way, informing citizens of the best options with respect to realizing the best value for their tax dollars. It also appears the city recognizes the cost of tearing down the old bridge. It is obvious the old bridge needs to be torn down sooner than later, and while there is no concrete plan in place, there is recognition for it and conversations with the provincial government have already been had.
A second vehicle bridge, while supported conceptually, is cost prohibitive, and appears to be opposed by many due to the increase in annual taxes.
A sewage pipeline and fiber optic conduit needs to be replaced without fail. Rather than have an eye sore crossing the river, why not use these already collected funds towards beautifying your community and promoting tourism and a healthy lifestyle.
Re: Pedestrian Bridge is the only option (Letters to the Editor, Trail Times, Aug. 7) – I agree!! Having the longest suspension bridge in North America as an attraction would not only boost tourism but promote a new healthy, active lifestyle.
Now, I ask you for one moment, Google Trail, B.C. and see what you find with respect to tourism. About the most intriguing thing would be tours of The Teck Interpretive Center (which I am not sure even exists anymore). Don’t get me wrong, as someone who grew up here, and worked at the once mining giant of Cominco to help his parents put him through university, I have done the tour, and am more than proud to bring my son through it and show him where his dad, nonno and bis-nonno worked. I ask you without this connection, do you really see this as a great tourist attraction or a large part of wanting to live here?
If you have lived in this city for many years, I ask you to close your eyes and remember back to a time when Cominco employed many people. We didn’t need to have fund raisers to support the mighty Smoke Eaters.
People were moving into the area for employment and quality of life and there were many activities and prospering businesses, including retail shops, hotels, etc. and above all else a proud sense of community!
I can’t tell you how to vote, but I urge you to consider all the options and take advantage of the opportunities to improve not only your community and quality of life but the quality of life for generations to come.
Mike Parisotto
Calgary, AB