During the recent Municipal election campaign, the issue of urban sprawl came up here in Maple Ridge, BC. We are dealing with the problems that have resulted when, some time ago, the District Council approved some developments some distance away from the centre of Maple Ridge.
The developers paid for such things as sidewalks and street-lighting, but the costs of stretching services like sanitary sewers and water so far from the other infrastructure is not covered by the property taxes from the new homes there. Furthermore, residents of these new neighbourhoods complain that they live in incomplete communities and must drive to shops, schools and parks.
Similarly, the graffiti on our bathroom wall is sprawling. What boundaries should we set for this creative outlet and living art project? I was certain it was understood that the carefully painted linen cupboard door was to be kept pristine, much like our local Agricultural Land Reserve, which may not be developed without approval by a Provincial Commission.
One day, the daughter, who is now eight, came home from a party and needed to express her enjoyment of said party. I was upset at first, but now I am okay with it. After all, she does good work and after we renovate we will be sad to see it all go. That should be soon, right? As soon as we can afford it…
