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LETTERS: 'Unsightly' camp is causing problems on Burnaby Mountain

Editor: We have lived on Burnaby Mountain in the Forest Grove area for 33 years. Our concerns about the protests taking place in our community are numerous.
Camp Cloud

Editor:

We have lived on Burnaby Mountain in the Forest Grove area for 33 years. Our concerns about the protests taking place in our community are numerous.

We fear the unsightly encampment on Shellmont Street near the Kinder Morgan entrance will remain long after the current political problems are solved. This encampment certainly has the appearance of a homeless camp.

The tents have multiplied along with numerous permanent structures. One of the wooden buildings is two storeys, sporting windows and even a rooftop deck with lawn chairs. There are large piles of debris and building materials and wood smoke if often witnessed.

How safe are we from their fires here on a heavily forested, densely populated, dry mountainside? How long will it be before there is a serious traffic accident?

We are concerned that it appears Burnaby is allowing people to camp at the sides of field 2000, the community’s playing field, well used by Forest Grove Elementary School. A permanent structure that seems to be housing individuals has also been erected north of Forest Grove Park children’s playground. Are these safe situations for our children?

We want action taken to make our community safe and beautiful once again. Our laws should be upheld, and this encampment and all other structures removed. If this situation were within metres of the mayor’s home, would he be so dismissing of our concerns?

We feel powerless against this onslaught. We do understand the protesters’ need to get their message across, but they have crossed many lines in our family community and are rapidly losing support.

Carolyn Carpenter and Duke Shoebottom, Burnaby