I read Y.A. Zarowny’s letter (The News, Nov. 15) with great interest.
To answer the question, who is responsible for Qualicum and surrounding area becoming such a retirement community?
For the answer to this question, you need not look further than the Town of Qualicum Beach mayor himself.
To even suggest that the chamber of commerce and the business community are to blame is ludicrous.
The OCP is not business friendly, the mayor is not business friendly and neither are those who support him. For any community to be vibrant their must be a balance between growth, investment, infrastructure, development and services. Let’s be realistic about this — this type of balance can only be achieved when local government, area stakeholders and the business community work together.
Let’s also be clear that our best opportunity for realistic and sustainable growth is to concentrate on expanding our existing tourism activity while focusing on the natural beauty that surrounds us.
I’m proud of the work the business community is doing to support our economy and local residents. I’m optimistic that the town’s senior staff have made a positive effort in creating new partnerships that include all community stakeholders.
And just for the record, I too am tired of Qualicum Beach council being blamed for the possible closure of KSS. The town’s working committee, made up of community representatives, including the chamber of commerce provided some excellent recommendations to board trustees and now it is up to the trustees to step up, do the right thing and keep KSS open.
Hilda Pearce, Qualicum Beach