Editor:
I was shocked and disappointed by the recent decision of the city transit to eliminate the Boitanio Park shelter.
The safety of the drivers is a valid concern and one I do not take lightly, but I wonder if the solution does not amount to throwing the baby out with the bathwater.
I have ridden the bus for 11 years on every business day and state for the record that at no time have I ever felt endangered or had a serious problem there.
The bus stop that I truly regard as problematic is the Sandman Suites stop across from Save-On-Foods.
I have witnessed incidents and activities there that absolutely merited police attention.
Yes, I have used that stop many times over the years but I have also, on many occasions, taken a look at who and what was going on there, and walked to the park. It is this choice that is being taken from me and others.
I am classified as handicapped, though I do well on dry, level grounds, and I definitely feel safer at the park stop.
Others far worse off than me are also losing a place where we can wait comfortably for the bus. Some are in wheelchairs or on crutches and to expect them to lug several heavy bags of groceries to the library (where there are tables and chairs outside across the street from the credit union stop), is ludicrous.
I have spoken to Mayor Walt Cobb about this and hope the transit company will reconsider this decision.
The proposed course of action will not stop druggies and boozers from using the park as party central, but it will work severe hardship on those who can least afford it.
Please, let’s all take time to consider and come up with a solution that doesn’t cause more problems than it solves.
Donna Mae Smith
Williams Lake