Skugaid a positive attraction on the waterfront
Re: Which of these ships will sail? (Column, NewsLeader, March 15)
While I read Chris Bryan's column with bemused interest, I feel there should be a little amplification and clarification of several points made in this wry and rather quirky piece.
His use of the word "squatting" is Larco-speak. As I tried to point out to the learned judge in the BC Supreme Court in January, the Chief Skugaid was legally tied in a "common-law berth" from July 1, 2011 through October 1, 2012, when Larco obtained a water-lot lease along that pier solely to use as a coercive instrument (in law) to rid themselves of (to them!) a vexatious tenant. Mr. Bryan is quite correct in stating that, in fact, it has been Larco squatting for these 20 years or so. They've been sitting-on, or squatting over, the backs of the New Westminster taxpayers, promising every few years, to build "Sun-Blot Towers" (even furnishing maquettes and detailed drawings to further accredit their fictions). Fish will fly before this happens, I daresay!
Be that as it may, that chapter of the Chief Skugaid Saga is happily over with, and I'm looking forward to the return of dry sunny weather so as to resume (albeit slowly and as the exchequer allows) the gradual cosmetic upgrade of this historic vessel.
The issue and concern of a long-term berth for the Skugaid remains and I will be approaching the city for a positive resolution to this situation.
I will suggest that the vessel take up residence for this bilateral centenary year at the far/upstream end of the asphalt wasteland of Westminster Pier Park. Not only will it give the boat a secure and quiet berth (and no, Mr. Bryan, I'd rather NOT "continue to live aboard") but it would furnish both incentive and attraction for those strollers that does not exist currently after the Pier Park peters out so suddenly.
David Cobb
skipper/owner
THE HISTORIC CHIEF SKUGAID
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