Dear Editor,

Having signed the petition against the Coulter Berry Building in Fort Langley, it was with great interest that I read of the comment by Mayor Jack Froese that he does not "govern by petition."

How interesting, as that is exactly how he governed when his council voted in favour of burying power lines in Fort Langley because of a "petition" by 51 per cent the building owners.

His arrogance is astonishing. How else are residents and taxpayers going to make their wishes known, if not by "petition" and submissions to council?

But then, perhaps Mayor Froese thinks that he has all the answers and the electorate is simply unenlightened.

And isn't it nice that Mayor Froese, as a business owner, thinks that this building "will bring some much needed vibrancy to the town in the off-season."

But Mr. Froese's business is nowhere near Fort Langley, so I am not sure how he would know that. Obviously, the many hundreds of residents (and business owners), not to mention the 69 submitters to council, don't agree with the mayor.

And one last question: why even bother having bylaws governing the size, placement, and use of buildings when it seems so easy to circumvent those laws?

As Jennifer Veerman commented, "Something needs to change. Come election time, do your research. And then vote." [Forewest repeat from two years ago, Nov. 29 Letters, Langley Advance]

But I would add one more option. The turkey on our table this Christmas certainly won't be coming from the mayor's establishment. I plan to vote early with my wallet.

Oliver McNeill, Langley