Dear Editor:
The only thing more disappointing than council’s decision to proceed with rainbow crosswalks was your Aug. 20 editorial. Your comparison was absurd.
This is an important issue and residents should have been given a chance to debate its merits.
What are the costs associated with this project?
Was it approved before obtaining an estimate?
I’m disappointed that council feels crosswalks should be used to promote a social cause, disregarding pedestrian safety.
Reflective white paint is used to enhance a crosswalk’s visibility in dark and rainy conditions. If a pedestrian was hit, could Summerland be facing a lawsuit?
On what basis does council believe they have the support of the majority of residents? I don’t recall rainbow crosswalks being mentioned prior to last year’s election.
Of the roughly 4,500 voters, how many did our council speak with on this subject?
Coun. Erin Trainer claimed she had received “really positive feedback” on Facebook. I went to her Facebook page on Aug. 12 and saw that she had 10 likes and two comments. Hardly a ringing endorsement.
If any member of council wishes to support any social agenda, they should do so on their own time and their own dime.
There are many ways that private citizens can support the LGBTQ cause.
They can wear rainbow clothing, paint a fence, their car or their house.
Why don’t supporters paint street banners instead of crosswalks, saving our precious tax dollars.
If they truly believe in the cause, then why not show it?
If they would actually physically show their support, would that not be more productive? What evidence is there that rainbow crosswalks do anything for anyone?
I believe the LGBTQ community will form their opinion of how diverse and inclusive Summerland is by how well, how indifferently or how poorly they are treated by our citizens, not what colour our crosswalks are.
Robert Brown
Summerland