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Editorial: Letters speak volumes

People write letters to the editor when they want their voices heard

The paper this week is filled with letters from residents who need to have their say on events happening in Sooke. The Sooke News Mirror has always been the people’s soapbox and we welcome your thoughts and opinions. When there is a hot button issue, we get a lot of letters. People need to be heard and the pages of this community newspaper and the letters bring into focus what people are thinking. It’s a barometer, if you will, of the state of the union.

This week the Bike Skills Park and the Sewer Parcel tax are the focus. The town appears to be divided on the bike park mainly because some feel it is the right thing, while others feel it is encroaching on our public park. Council needs to see visually what they would be approving as a bike park, and thus the reason for the monies granted to the Sooke Bike Club. But, what irks people is the fact that a decision was made in haste when there is obviously no need. Let the requests for use of the park go through a proper process and any monies given should be included in the yearly grant process. It will, in any case, be a lengthy fundraising effort for the bike club. The want is there but not the money necessary to fulfill any project.

No one group should override what the others requesting money have to do. It appears biased, no matter how good an idea. When council talks of cutting costs, they need to follow a proper procedure ensuring equality for all community groups and projects.

Council does not need to try and appease everyone and they should do due diligence before they promise money, not after.