While standing on the steps of the town hall watching the well-organized and well-timed summer parade pass by, I was obliged, as was anyone else in earshot, to listen to a diatribe of criticism of public services in the Cowichan Valley.
The pontification came from a large, loudmouthed and cheerful gentleman who let everyone know that he had retired early, due to his success in business, and had chosen to grace the Cowichan Valley with his presence.
He has attended local council meetings and is appalled at: the state of transit; of the high property taxes; the gravy train for public servants' pensions.
My wife and I have lived in the Valley for 38 years. We have successfully raised a family here, schooled in the public system. We have enjoyed the amenities of theatre, library, community centre, aquatic centre, ball parks, soccer fields, running track, top quality water supply, flood reduction dikes, fire protection, excellent hospital services and general infrastructure. If these amenities require taxes above the provincial average, we are very happy to pay them.
The City of Duncan is a far more attractive and lively place than when we arrived in 1977. If the loud-mouthed gentleman from who-knows-where, who was at the town hall at noon on Saturday should read this, I have a message for him: If you don't like the way we do things here, then go back to where you came from!
Delmere Kitt
Duncan