LETTER TO THE EDITOR | Town, marina link good for business

Published 3:40 pm Tuesday, March 3, 2015

Editor,

Mayor Fred McCarthy’s column in the Saturday, Feb. 21, edition of The Record described the eight-year history of the City of Langley wrestling with the question of what to construct as a transportation system to better connect the marina and waterfront with downtown. Although there is an already approved $500,000 budget for this project and most community thought favors the funicular, the mayor now wants to go back to the drawing board to continue debating what we should do. He has reopened every previous system proposal —eight possible although most realistically not feasible projects — and one “do nothing” option.

If the city does not do something and do it soon, are we in danger of losing the half-million dollars?

The president of the fleet of sleek red, white and black Victoria Clipper jet boats, Mr. Darrell Bryan of Clipper Vacations, wrote a letter of strong support for the Langley funicular plan (Feb. 7). His company would love a reason to schedule more stops at the Langley marina. His endorsement, however, was almost immediately attacked by Ms. Marelle Sadler, a resident, who wrote a response letter in the Feb. 18 edition. She tried to discount his enthusiasm for the idea of a Langley major attraction like the funicular with a litany of exaggerated and mostly erroneous counterclaims; however, her rationale was faulty.

For example, one of her mistaken objections to the Clipper Vacations endorsement was aimed at ADA (handicapped) compliance. A well designed funicular would absolutely be the best and most practical and cost-effective transportation option; and, of course, would meet every ADA handicap-friendly requirement.

Of the mayor’s options list, only a beautifully designed “fun” funicular, one designed in keeping with the spirit of historic and quaint Langley, can help put Langley on the map as a major community attraction for so many people. The funicular could change Langley from being only a summertime quick stop for a few visitors into a thriving 12-months-a-year recreational destination for many, people literally coming from everywhere.

The funicular could immediately begin providing the economic boost our merchants need right now.

DICK McGRATH

Langley