To the editor:
Recently the Record ran a front-page article with the headline, “Pub draws a crowd — of complaints.”
Fortunately the letter I sent in response was too long and the Record was unable to run it. Brian Kelly suggested I do a rewrite that he could run. I used the word “fortunately” as I am now happy it didn’t. At the time
I felt it necessary to try and answer some of the complaints described in the article.
I now have a different perspective. In the past week-and-a-half since that article appeared the pub has received a wealth of positive comments and gestures of support. In fact, the Friday after it ran, we had our best Friday night since the summer and a number of people who came in said they came in specifically because of the article and the “complaints.”
Before saying anything else, I would like to take a moment and thank all those who have shown their support.
Beyond that huge feeling of gratitude, as I reflect on this positive reaction, I have come to understand that the issue is not between our neighbor and us. It is way bigger than that.
To me it goes to the very heart of what seems to plague Langley. For the last few years, or even longer — though the recent recession has brought it into sharper focus — all we talk about is how to revitalize Langley. The real question is what defines a city or town or berg — or whatever.
I am not here to attempt a definition, only to say that it is not something that you roll-up every night and put away. It is retail stores, it is restaurants, and it is day life and night life. It is Choochokam, Mystery Weekend, DjangoFest; it is a farmers market in the middle of Second Street every Friday afternoon in the summer. It is delivery trucks, it is noise and difficult parking. Some just seem to want all the fruits of active commerce without any of the trappings or consequences. As if they expect tons of tourists (visitors) to shop our stores from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., eat in our restaurants from 5 to 8 p.m. and then leave the island returning us all to the peace and serenity of country life.
In paragraph five of that article the Record says “the pub is widely acknowledged as one of the city’s premier success stories during the current economic downturn.” It is clear from the positive comments that we are doing something hugely right. We are sorry that Ms. Lagerquist chose to live next door to the commerce zone and we have done all that we can to minimize her issues, but ultimately I believe she needs to recognize that we are not the villain, we are simply a part of the fabric of urban life — not rural.
MAUREEN E. COOKE, OWNER
Mo’s Pub & Eatery
