Susan Greets the Good Doctor

To the Editor

Congratulations to Dr. Stilwell on her acclaimation to run as the Liberal
MLA for Vancouver Centre.

I would love to take her on a walk through her new riding, to see the impact
of the Canada Line construction first hand. I would like her to hear the
stories from those who still struggle to survive these 3 years, and hear how
so many of their neighbours did not.

Things are still not well, Dr. Stilwell. From one end of Cambie Street to
the other, families continue to face financial ruin after enduring financial
and personal hardship that would be difficult for most people to imagine.

This Several Billion dollar project failed to factor adequate mitigation
into the business plan - failed to ensure that those who would be impacted
the most would not lose their life's work as a result of this government
funded and driven mega-project. It is a disgrace.

The one day street parties, banners, baskets, and million dollar
self-promoting ad campaigns have obviously done nothing to stem the tide of
red ink. We require direct and immediate financial relief.

We deserve better than bancruptcy.

Kim Capri to run in Fairview? Good luck. She and her fellow NPA council
members voted as one - again and again - to oppose every motion put before
them to assist the small businesses who were dying right outside their
doors. Shame on all of them.

There is a Compensation class action proposed from the Cambie Village
Business Association, as well as my case that was filed 3 years ago and set
to proceed in court for three weeks this November. Do small businesses that
have been double crossed by their own government really have to force
justice to happen through a costly lawsuit?

The solution to this crisis requires integrity and courage from our elected
officials.
Even Henry Lee at the Board of Trade said that just 3 cents a trip on
transit would give TransLink more than enough funds to compensate us for our
demolished livelihoods.

No one has sacrificed more for public transit than the merchants all along
the Canada Line.

There is a shameful precedent now set for future government mega-projects,
that the life's work of citizens can be expropriated and destroyed with
impunity.
This is not what should happen in a democracy and must be made right with
compensation.

Regards
Susan Heyes
Hazel&Co
3190 Cambie Street
604 687-0721