Letters

Housing needs solutions, not more finger-pointing

Editor: I find it difficult to believe that people who have lived in this town for many years when housing was available for most working people are told that if they don’t like the massive development that has taken place, they can leave town. Really?!

Yes, the average citizen like me, who has lived and paid taxes here for well over 40 years, may find the changes in livability somewhat overwhelming and negative Did we cause a less livable community because of greater population growth with more crowding, traffic and amenities? No! Did we cause the lack of affordable housing? No!

What is needed, in my opinion, is not lack of public discourse or difference of opinion, but to find answers to the questions of differing opinions on why Why did the federal government bring in over one million people last year, when we do not have adequate housing for those already here? Why do we allow rich foreign investors, many of whom do not live here, to buy up housing, which has played a role in the ridiculous increase in housing prices to the point that many citizens, including my own children and grandchildren, have no hope of owning a home?

There are many questions that need answers What we do not need is to point fingers at each other for problems that have been foisted upon us by lack of action and lack of planning by senior governments That, in the opinion of many people including myself, is where the responsibility belongs and where the answers lie in the hands that govern us

Bill Zander

Housing crisis? Blame the‘Elderly Illuminati’

Editor: Re: Old-timers need to stop ‘gatekeeping’ New West, Letters to the editor, April 20 I wanted to take a moment and give a hearty pat on the back to brave letter writer James Plett on his absolute master class in educating people on the real issue with our housing crisis and who is truly to blame: the

Elderly Illuminati and the gatekeeping!

The sheer power these seniors wield in the Lower Mainland, and especially New Westminster, is terrifying, and the housing market has fallen victim to their evil plans, of retirement and living out the last few years of life with a modicum of dignity after contributing years of tax dollars into the system The bastards

Now I know what you’re thinking: “Steve, isn’t some of this bad policy and government inaction?” To this I say: nonsense

What, you want the NDP majority government in B C to get on top of things like zoning restrictions and building costs? Crazy talk! The Elderly Illuminati won’t have it Next you’ll be suggesting that our NDP-affiliated, -sponsored and -endorsed council could use that relationship to perhaps one-time leverage some new policy and/or plans in New West, right?

But has anyone given any thought to how our Community First majority council can advance their own political careers if they’re always bothering the NDP with silly concerns like “housing” and “doing what’s best for their citizens”? No, of course you haven’t, you only think about yourselves

No, no, James cracked this case wide open. It’s old people to blame, and James saw right through the façade of government failure and called out those truly responsible.

Steve Yeung

Has the city considered struggling seniors?

Editor: New Westminster city council should get a real life.

In reality, do they ever think about low-income seniors and people in poverty struggling with the day-to-day cost of living, homeowners constantly selling their homes or whatever they have to do to survive, even some missing meals every day because of the cost of living, or seniors and other pensioners with disabilities working fast food establishments even if they’re not healthy but have no choice?

Thank you, New Westminster city hall, for your undivided attention

PS Port Coquitlam this year is not charging for public swimming pools.

Gary Prokovich