I am writing as one of the founding Directors of the newly established Mack Laing Heritage Society of the Comox Valley. I am also Chair of the Board of Directors of the Comox Valley Project Watershed Society.
Considerable volunteer effort has gone into the activities, proposals and reports presented to the Comox Council by the Mack Laing Heritage Society. Our plans provide a huge opportunity for the Town of Comox and the Comox Valley in general. We feel that this project represents a very important affirmation and consolidation of the Comox Valley’s environmental community, its heritage, its history, and its public service to the Town of Comox and the Comox Valley. The acceptance and implementation of reports on the Mack Laing Heritage site would provide an important focal point for our community and an important natural history facility. I believe the information in the two reports made to the Comox Council clearly states our goals and objectives. It is my feeling that these goals are in complete harmony with the Town of Comox Council’s promotion of the ‘Comox by the Sea’ concept to attract tourists, new business, and new residents to the town.
There has been some concern, misrepresentation and misinterpretation of the contents of the above mentioned reports by a few writers who have been very prolific. Their letters published in local papers distort the contents of the two reports and the information in a pamphlet which The Mack Laing Society has produced to clarify our goals and objectives.
Comox Valley Nature which has been instrumental in establishing the Mack Laing Heritage Society has been active in carrying out stewardship work in the Comox Valley for over 50 years. Its record is unblemished and outstanding. Project Watershed, which has supported the initiative to preserve the Mack Laing house, has been carrying out stewardship activities in all of the watersheds of the Comox Valley for 21 years.
We have laid out the rationale for preserving the Mack Laing house in the two reports. Our brochure clarifies the issues and answers questions raised by members of the community. I trust Council will weigh the proposal we have forwarded to them and see the significant long term benefits to the Town and the wider community.
Sincerely yours,
Paul A. Horgen, Mack Laing Society Director
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