Dear Editor,

Charles Hope was recently given credit for helping to bring electricity to Fort Langley [Value reflected in old guidelines, Sept. 6 Letters, Langley Advance]. What a progressive idea!

I am quite sure that Mr. Hope was in favour of progressive thinking for Fort Langley, and embraced changes.

Like any idea there are usually modifications to make an idea work more efficiently and safely, and look aesthetically pleasing.

One can only imagine what would have happened if Mr. Hope had been turned down when he requested planning permission for his three-storey home in Fort Langley, or the idea of electricity.

I am sure there were those opposed to electricity in Fort Langley - there always is someone against improvement.

One only has to look at two current three-storey buildings in Fort Langley and see they have not negatively impacted the village in any way.

The current proposal for the Coulter/Berry building would be a positive addition to the area. It would provide more parking, attract more businesses, creating more jobs for residents and of course attract more visitors. It might also cause TransLink to upgrade the current bus system in the area.

Fort Langley's history is based on commerce, so attracting more would just be following in the footsteps of history. Going ahead with the Coulter Berry proposal would follow in the footsteps of Mr. Hope.

A village with an important history like Fort Langley needs to refresh its stock of buildings and infrastructure.

For those of us who actually live in the village, maintaining the character of Fort Langley is also important.

Fort Langley residents are a diverse group of people. It only makes sense the structures reflect that diversity and not be a cookie-cutter collection of buildings.

History doesn't stop at a certain time period, it continues on, with more history being made for the future.

Kelly Holmes, Langley