Editor:
(Re: “RAMP is not an evil four-letter word” May 4, 2012)
I would like to voice my support to the ongoing summer RAMP process, and hopefully subsequent winter process.
I’m ready to help make this work.
This is a chance for everyone in the Bulkley Valley to come together, put aside our differences, and respect each others values, and create a recreation vision for our strong community.
This community driven initiative is a chance for all to sit down together, and create something we can look back on and be proud.
I am an avid skier, kayaker, mountain biker, etc. I own a snowmobile, and use it for access and some recreating. I have made my living as a ski guide, and avalanche educator, providing training to both skiers and snowmobile users, because I care about my fellow citizens and there mountain safety.
I have worked as a faller, firefighter, and carpenter with many of the citizens of our beautiful valley.
This is not about an “us against them,” but should be a “lets work together.” In the end, we all want to get out and enjoy what this beautiful place has to offer all of us. That’s why we live here.
It is about seeing our fellow members of the community in town, and sharing the stories of recreating, whatever activity we do.
In the end, if we draw out lines of use, this should be from a mutual understanding, and respect from all involved.
It should not leave people feeling threatened of loss of use of an area, rather a creation of a use plan that works for everyone, and allows all to have a positive experience.
Working together, from different backgrounds, is likely the biggest challenge to overcome, and if we can place our bias aside, and meet in the middle, the process can work and form something that the citizens of the Bulkley Valley can share, and be proud of for years to come.
I would like to recognize, and thank all the volunteers who have stuck with the vision of this, and dedicated countless, tiring hours of their time, to push on, and create a vision for a recreation plan in our community.
Sean Fraser
Smithers