To the Editor,
The funding for capital projects such as roads is woefully inadequate. We need to spend about $1.5 million more yearly to catch up and do such projects as the repaving of Third Avenue between Burde and Bute streets ($190,000).
We cannot continue to spend excessively on McLean Mill or the Multiplex.
Stopping funding for the summer hockey school (which no one will say if it’s still losing money) and taking all ice out of the Multiplex from April to late August would likely save $90,000 or more.
After spending more than $6 million by the city alone, funding for McLean Mill should end. Failing that, city spending should be limited to a maximum of $125,000 annually with the balance to be paid by the regional district.
If the ACRD does not contribute to the cost, then the mill must reduce its operating losses to $125,000 by people just walking through the site (spar tree operations could continue.).
With cost reductions at the mill and the Multiplex, the city could fund the repaving of Third Avenue this year. It comes down to a question of what’s more important—- roads or frills.
As for the cast of thousands who form the McLean Mill advisory committee, I doubt it will accomplish anything of value.
Richard Berg,
Port Alberni