Editor,

Shame on you. Your editorial, “What happened to golf carts” in the Saturday, May 16 edition of The Record blasted the City of Langley for ignoring its citizens.

I completely disagree. I feel that the city is listening very well.

Many citizens have voiced a strong opposition to the funicular — that is, a long funicular going up the steep bluff to Cascade Avenue. In response, the city is considering only a very short funicular from Seawall Park to First Street. Such a funicular could be placed near the Whale Bell to minimize its length and cost and not endanger any bluff at all. Your lead headline on Saturday would have caused less confusion and gnashing of teeth had it read: “Langley eyes walkway, short funicular for marina access,” instead of “Langley eyes funicular, walkway for marina access fix” to make this point clear.

The only walkway proposed at the charrette in April was one over the water, similar to one in Bellingham. A walkway to Seawall Park via Sunrise Lane was not an option at the charrette.

In short, the city has gone beyond the options presented at the charrette and is now considering a completely new approach that combines: (1) a walkway from the marina to Seawall Park — something that has been in the city’s comprehensive plan for over a decade — with, (2) a short funicular from Seawall Park to First Street to provide access for people who would have difficulty walking up the hill. I strongly support this proposal.

Rather than criticize the city for not listening, I think you should be praising the city for its creativity in coming up with new options.

PAUL GOLDFINGER

Langley