Editor:
Re: Letter in response the March 30 article about BCGEU development application
I’m a long-time Burnaby resident. I’ve lived here for 14 years, I’m a homeowner, I’m a parent of two children who attend our local elementary school. I’m a teacher, a union member, a community activist involved in many community groups in the region, I use my community centre and all the local amenities my neighbourhood has to offer, and I’m a strong supporter of the BCGEU development application.
I live in North Burnaby, in the Brentwood area. Our neighbourhood has changed drastically since we moved in. There are dozens of towers, much taller than the ones being proposed here, as you know, and tens of thousands of people have become my neighbours over the last 14 years.
My kids’ school is full and vibrant, in the best way, they’ve got friends who live in single family homes, in social housing, in rental units and in condos. Halloween is busy chaos in our neighbourhood and it’s the best.
The park adjacent to our block is busy and energized during the summer months, of families and young people using the community centre, sharing meals, chatting with their neighbours. And even now, as spring begins to show its face, the tennis courts are up and running, people are out and about with their dogs, and the neighbourhood feels friendly and fun. The only downside of the new towers going in, to be frank with you, is the long line at Cioffis. The rest of it has been a gift to our family.
And so I support this new development. What an opportunity, to model an efficient, effective, affordable, climate and family friendly housing development led by a public sector union with deep roots in the community. And to think we can model this in our city.
This is not a compromise, it’s not a “because we have to” or “because we should,” this is a slam dunk. This is an opportunity to lead, to build a vision of our city that includes all kinds of neighbours, and to make room, to invite people here in a way that will ensure that the parks are full, that people mix and mingle in their neighbourhood, building community, and making friends. Councillors make decisions every day that are guided by what they believe and the kind of city Burnaby citizens want to live in. And let me tell you, a vibrant, affordable, mixed neighbourhood is what we all want and need. Help us get there.
I hope Burnaby City Council doesn’t hesitate when it comes to the vote on this. I hope they make way for it without delay, welcome people to our great city, set the stage for connections, for community, for kindness. I think Burnaby citizens will be thanking them for generations.
Anna Chudnovsky, Burnaby
