To the Editor:
Re: Trees on Seventh Avenue
We just returned from a trip up the Crowsnest Highway into Alberta, and it was a real eye opener into what small towns can do and look like if the will, planning and vision is there.
It’s not just the trees on Seventh Avuenue that look parched, the entire downtown core looks shabby, dirty and dusty. The only bright spots are those by the Garden Club. The sidewalks need a through cleaning, the banners are dull and the gutters have been filled with debris and cigarette butts all summer. When you drive around town the residents take pride in their property - why should our village present itself like we don’t care?
Coach Rob has a valid point - the trees look half dead and if the irrigation system doesn’t work right, fix it. We live in Canada’s only desert. It’s always hot and dry. In my opinion that’s a feeble excuse for trees dying for lack of water on the main drag.
Our outward appearance on Seventh Avenue does not reflect the values of the community. This is the window we present to tourism, visitors and ourselves - it needs a severe cleaning and some repair. It’s no wonder, as was reported on the same page, “few visitors remained in the valley for more than a day.” We can entice tourists, and their money, to stop and spend some time or we can allow them to drive right through, the choice is ours.
Marty Menzies, Keremeos