Clean up Good Neighbours fire site
Dear North Cowichan and Duncan mayors and councillors:
We urge our councils to work with fire officials and insurance agents toward renovating or razing the ugly remains of the fire-gutted Good Neighbours building on York Street.
That charred shell gives a terrible impression about safety and business priorities to highway motorists and locals alike.
Indeed, the blackened site is reminiscent of a four-plex townhome damaged by fire in recent years — about 200 yards north of Good Neighbours along York.
That building sadly took several years to be renovated while our councils seemingly let the molasses-speed of insurance bureaucracy take its course.
We sincerely hope that will not be the case with the Good Neighbours building arguably gutted while our downtown area urgently needs night-time patrols against such awful crimes.
Yours in urban safety and renewal,
Peter W. Rusland
North Cowichan