I would like to respond to the June 25 Trail Times article “Bridge referendum goes to voters in August” particularly comments from Mr. Cacchioni regarding the bridge referendum.
I would like to point out to Mr. Cacchioni that if 200 people show up and the majority of people vote against the referendum that is democracy. I feel that the people that got together and collected signatures to force this referendum is truly and without doubt the best form of democracy we have.
It has been a proven fact that many councils preferred to do the reverse approval process because of the simple fact councils rely on voter apathy. Looking back at previous BC elections, voter turnout is generally low, and I believe this is a result of lack of consultation with the voters.
The old bridge is something that I truly have always loved. I love the architecture, I love the history and I believe that it should have a second chance. However if the new pedestrian is going to be such an attraction and such a good thing city council of Trail has got the responsibility to sell this project to the citizens, and give all the reasons how it is going to benefit our community.
Questions that I would personally ask, is this going to help us become a tourist destination community? Do we have a tourism plan? Do we have a clear direction that we wish to go as a community and the downtown core? I do not believe that a new bridge is a bad idea, I just want to know why it is such a great idea for our community?
Daniel HaleyTrail