To the Editor,
Re: Time for Port Alberni, ACRD to quit bickering and unite, Letters, Apr. 2, 2025
In the April 2, 2025, edition of the Alberni Valley News, Chris Alemany expressed his belief that Beaver Creek, Cherry Creek, Sproat Lake, and Beaufort should be considered part of Port Alberni. His reasoning? The rural areas share “Port Alberni” in their mailing addresses.
Let's clear this up. Canada Post uses the nearest city name in rural addresses to streamline mail delivery—not to redraw electoral boundaries. This isn’t a matter of geography; it’s a matter of postal efficiency. Beaver Creek, Cherry Creek, Sproat Lake and Beaufort are distinct electoral areas with their own boundaries, entirely separate from the City of Port Alberni.
In the letter, Chris Alemany said he wants the rural areas to unite with the city, but he’s overlooking a crucial detail: we need to be willing participants. As Beaver Creek’s regional director, I’ll say this loud and clear —“Beaver Creek respectfully declines your offer.”
Yes, Port Alberni might benefit from scooping up rural tax dollars. But rural areas wouldn’t be “stronger together”—we’d be overwhelmed, burdened by new taxes and city priorities. Is that what strength looks like? Hard pass.
The rural areas don’t just exist in isolation; we contribute to the region in unique and meaningful ways. From preserving natural landscapes to fostering tight-knit, community-driven initiatives, we enrich the Alberni Valley in ways that a city framework simply couldn’t replicate.
If Chris Alemany is curious to learn more about Beaver Creek, he should join us at one of our lively town hall meetings. He'll quickly see that we cherish our independence and thrive on our unique community spirit. We're doing just fine. Beaver Creek is its own proud community—no pressure needed, just the way we like it!
Susan Roth
director,
Beaver Creek Electoral Area
