Pubdate: Fri, 31 Oct 2008 Source: Langley Advance (CN BC) Copyright: 2008 Lower Mainland Publishing Group Inc. Contact: http://www.langleyadvance.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1248 Author: T.Smith DEAL WITH THE BIGGER PROBLEMS Dear Editor, Mayor Peter Fassbender's comments, "from a personnal point of view, I do not want to see this kind of business in our downtown core [Store owner has 'leaf' to appeal, Oct. 28, Langley Advance]," are laughable, and send chills down my spine. During his stroll, could he not see the real problems in the area? I have lived in the Langleys for more than 20 years, and the situation in the downtown core has been in an alarming tailspin. The level of prostitution, drugs, and crime against our seniors and others has never been so serious. Is this the best the mayor can do to correct the problem? I must applaud Mr. Caine for having more vision than the Langley City administration, and trying to take advantage of a bad situation. If the Mayor truly wants a good image for the downtown core, he should be concentrating on dealing with the root of the problems. If he did, these shops would not stand a chance of survival. You can't avoid the smell of pot in the air, observing drug deals, and the homeless. I have stopped attending the area, as it is no longer a safe place to be, and miss shopping at one of the best fish markets in Langley. What the City needs is strong leadership with the courage to deal with these problems. Mayor Peter Fassbender needs to open his eyes, smell the air, and start listening to his business owners, citizens, and staff. If he really wants to do the Langleys any good and clean up his city, a good start would be to not renew the casino business licence. But my guess is that gambling is not a personal issue for the mayor. Dealing with the root of the problems would better server the community, and prevent similar businesses from opening in the area. If you don't want bad eggs, get rid of the chicken. T. Smith Langley - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin