Dear Sir:
As a resident of Thornhill for the last 20 years, I find the discussions and actions concerning the “Welcome to Terrace” sign by the Kitimat-Stikine regional district board member who is the representative of Thornhill, Ted Ramsey, incomprehensible.
The action and comments carried out by this representative have left me with the sense of disbelief: Did that really happen? All of this over a welcome sign?
Mr. Ramsey appears to be under the assumption that all residents of Thornhill welcome and support his stance on the welcome sign.
His greatest complaint is that the original sign makes no mention of Thornhill. I have never had this thought directed to me during conversations with friends/neighbours concerning the community.
I can only speak for myself when I say: “what the heck is going on?” I have since witnessed the original sign removed and a new sign welcoming individuals to Thornhill and still there are comments being made by Mr. Ramsey that appears to continue his mission to remove any signs welcoming people to Terrace.
In the article published in The Terrace Standard on May 24, 2017, Mr. Ramsay provided the comment that if the Terrace city council requested permission to erect a ‘Welcome to Terrace’ sign on the property immediately west of the Dudley Little Bridge that he is “going to oppose it adamantly” as the property is part of Thornhill.
Why? Is there not some way in which an accommodation could be reached or is it simply out of the realm of possibility?
Mr. Ramsey then stated that “good neighbours put their signs and fences on their own property”.
This is true; however there is also another skillset that good neighbours possess—that of communication and conflict resolution.
Active and reciprocal communication could have ensured that there was a resolution that both parties could have agreed to.
Perhaps the Welcome to Terrace sign could have been replaced by a sign that welcomed visitors to Terrace, Thornhill, and surrounding areas with a map to display the greater community to advantage, and for those unfamiliar with the area.
Personally, I find that this discussion has passed the limits of incomprehension and is heading straight for farcical.
Of all the concerns that should warrant attention, I would put this at the bottom of the pile. I have greater concerns regarding the overall future of the community.
Our representatives should be searching for the means to keep our community viable: employment, education, health, and environmental services should be at the forefront of their endeavors; and not appear to be second-class concerns behind a Welcome to Terrace/Thornhill sign.
Please, if one must choose a battle to improve the lives of the citizens of Thornhill—choose wisely.
Lynda Agnew,
Thornhill, B.C.