Everything is wonderful
Re: “Everything is terrible,” Rant/Rave, Sept. 15, 2016.
This rave is in response to Elaine’s rant (Sept. 15). I am a regular beach goer and have a completely different experience when I visit the beach.
The homeless, the binners, the mentally challenged all have the same rights to enjoy the public parks and beaches. Stanley Park is vast and there are so many spots to find a quiet place to sit and enjoy.
Binners are a part of the fabric of our community and it is never to their advantage to litter the alleys or streets. They are usually binning to supplement their welfare or old age security cheques.
As for the folks begging on the street, most of time they sit on the sidewalk quietly, not bothering anyone. I always feel grateful that I have never been in this dark place in life.
Mentally challenged men and women who are experiencing a psychotic episode are frightening to most of us, but usually – unless provoked – they are more of a danger to themselves, not others.
Granville Street, for a few short blocks, is filthy and something to be ashamed of, but the tourists I talk to always mention how clean our streets are compared to most American cities. And a lot of the filth is caused by cigarette smokers using the streets as ashtrays, and these people doing it are not homeless. The homeless pick butts off the street to smoke and are cleaning up the mess left by the well-to-do.
In regards to the rainbow that is painted on the street at Davie/Bute, this is a celebration of our pride in being a diverse community accepting of everyone including the above less fortunate folks.
In conclusion, as a 30-year resident of the West End, I have never felt unsafe nor threatened in my neighbourhood. These less fortunate citizens make me feel grateful for what I have, and in so doing, they are enriching my life a little bit. I have not felt the quality of my life diminished by these people you say are making you upset.
– Jennifer
