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LETTERS: Dismayed at poor description of city in tourism brochure

I was shocked to read the profile of the City of Williams Lake that was in the BC City Guide
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Editor:

I was shocked to read the profile of the City of Williams Lake that was published in the May 2018 edition of BC City Guide distributed amongst the tourism brochures at our Tourist Centre and I’m sure countless tourist centres throughout the province.

After reading through and enjoying most of the profile I was dismayed with the last paragraph which I will quote directly.

“Is it all cowboys and sports stars and mountain bikes? Not quite.

The city used to be notorious for its high crime levels and that distinction remains relevant: Williams Lake was the top B.C. name on Maclean’s 2018 list of Canada’s most dangerous places.

It was also unsafe for a different reason last summer, when wildfires raged through the area. At one point, three blazes surrounded the town, so no one was able to leave.”

The article also incorrectly states our Stampede is a three-day event.

In the acknowledgments, the publication thanks all the municipal governments and economic development offices that contributed information to BC City Guide.

Is this the type of information our city sees fit to offer for distribution at tourist centres? How can quoting the high crime rate and natural disasters contribute to our tourism and economic development?

My husband and I were married in Williams Lake, raised our family here and are proud to call Williams Lake home.

There are so many positive aspects of life in the Cariboo. Such a shame to tarnish the opportunity to share information about our community, with such negative comments.

Marg Casey

Williams Lake