I have no desire to stir up mud, but I do feel obligated to comment on the brief news story published regarding the Waneta Boundary Quick Stop (“Quick Stop ending cross-border gas option, Trail Times, Sept. 25).
I have been making weekly visits to the Quick Stop for gas and mail for over five years, and I am very grateful for the services they are willing to provide. For most of the time, they have been open and working hard seven days a week, keeping a schedule I myself would be hard-pressed to match. Regardless of physical health challenges, holidays, blizzards, torrential rains, blistering heat and frigid cold, they have retained their focus on providing services to those of us for whom U.S. mail is a lifeline, or even just a convenience.
Some may point out that money is made for all of this, as though that somehow outweighs the value of personal sacrifices of time, rest, health and comfort made by the Jeffreys to provide these services to the rest of us. My response is that the “workman is worthy of his wage” and very few, if any, would volunteer to suffer the long hours of physical labour required by all they do, especially in the face of ingratitude and customer rudeness, and at an age when many folks are retired.
Each of us needs to focus on appreciating the blessing we have in the Quick Stop and the Jeffreys instead of treating it and them as something to which we are entitled. I know that I am thankful and recognize the access to the services they provide is a privilege.
Linda Bloom,Castlegar