To the editor:
Re: “Circle is broken as city disengages gathering spot,” Feb. 21.
Are we meant to laugh or cry on reading that Julien Thomas is forbidden by the city to organize social activities for the centre of the traffic circle at St. George Street and which ends with the observation that “all of Thomas’ projects are designed to bring community members together while sparking discussion.” The wisdom of city officials is cited: “For safety reasons the city does not support people staying in traffic circles for extended periods beyond the time needed to garden.” I read that as “Garden and get out, Herr Citizen.”
On page 3 of the same edition, an article titled “Survey says Vancouver a lonely place to be” states “more than 40 per cent of respondents who reported social isolation say they have a weak sense of belonging to a community” and, further, “the most often cited reason for not participating in neighbourhood and community life is a feeling that we have little to offer.”
Let’s hope extra copies of the Courier are on hand when city hall reviews the Mayor’s Engaged City Task Force report in March.
Jayne LeVierge
Vancouver
