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Developer in question not a bully

Dear editor,

Re: Developer playing the bully role. (Letters, March 15)

The writer must be speaking of someone else as through all the public meetings I have attended and agreements read, there is no indication that the developer has been nothing but forthcoming in both oral and written promises.

The writer refers to the self-interest of one group of residents and the gullibility of a petition-signing group saying they are uninterested and easy prey to the promise of a free water treatment facility. This promise has been stated clearly in the original Water Infrastructure Agreement and at public meetings.

The writer also did not indicate that it was nearly two-thirds of residents who signed the petition that urged the board to get the deal done. The petition was the result of a board decision to not give the developer an extension of four months needed for ground preparation, bringing in equipment and securing materials from the plant manufacturer. This brought things to a halt.

The developer was told he could not speak at UBID meetings. To inform residents he held his own public meeting on March 14 saying he would give his talk and allow for Q & A afterwards.

Unfortunately one UBID board member kept interrupting, was politely asked to wait, refused and at one point stormed off towards the exit.

In addition at least six times the developer was asked “who would own the water treatment plant”. Six times he answered UBID would own and operate the plant. To me this repeated questioning was nothing more than harassment. As for bullying, I can’t imagine how the developer kept his cool.

Letters such as the one I am responding to do nothing more than provide misinformation and promote the divisiveness the writer alludes to.

I encourage people to get the facts. All agreements are available on the CVRD website.

Joe Smith

Union Bay