LETTER TO THE EDITOR | Port needs to build consensus

Published 8:39 am Wednesday, July 15, 2009

To the editor:

Russell Sparkman raises some very intriguing ideas in your recent article, “Destination dive site at Langley might generate more than $1 million a year” (Record, Wednesday, July 1). There are aspects related to the marina that should be further discussed.

The port clearly has the scope to improve and promote purely water-based activities for the marina, such as attracting visitors to arrive by water, whether these are private boat owners or tour boat and private ferry passengers.

Almost any other use of the facility requires the whole-hearted support of the local community, because activities such as diving, kayaking and boat launching raise issues of land-based amenities, such as vehicular access and parking, which cannot be solved by the port alone.

As a candidate for port commissioner and a Langley citizen, I urge the city of Langley and the broader community to make their opinions known and to arrive at a consensus backed by clear legislation concerning the future of the marina uplands and the activities that can and should be supported and promoted there.

If elected as commissioner, I pledge to support the greater Langley community in every possible way to realize its goals for the improvement of the entire marina area.

Chris Jerome

Langley