Editor:

Re: City gives TransLink raucous welcome, June 19.

I congratulate those who spoke at the recent TransLink “workshop.”

The majority gave succinct and coherent presentations, relative to the  proposed new route of the 351 bus service.

A few “raucous” persons added nothing positive to the meeting.

I know there are people who feel passionately about the issue, but catcalls, hooting, and interrupting the TransLink speakers was akin to little children stamping their feet when they couldn’t get what they wanted.

J. Cullina, White Rock

• • •

Once again, I read with dismay the coverage of the public process in White Rock.

The most recent act of public terrorism was the recent TransLink public meeting.

This meeting – in a long list of public calamities – brings one to ask, is it in the water?

There appears to be a minority of citizens who take pleasure in making a mockery of the public process, feeling continually hard done by.

They act in a manner in public forums that are equivalent to schoolyard bullying, resulting in name calling, insults, physical aggression and rudeness – unacceptable acts by youth but perfectly acceptable by adults.

Public open houses take on the air of barroom brawls, leaving those whom attend with good intentions on the sidelines or leaving without the opportunity to participate.

Having witnessed the Town Centre and Spirit Square follies – and negative displays towards staff and consultants – one truly does wonder if something is affecting the mindset of these citizens.

Perhaps the drinking water heralded as one of the purest in the Lower Mainland or the emissions from overhead aircraft bring about this behaviour.

The lack of leadership from politicians who allow this to continue does not help in this form of public sandbox display.

I have participated in numerous public open houses, but have never come across one that is so disrespectful and bad spirited as ones conducted in White Rock.

This is one of the most physically charming and beautiful settings to live in the world, but the negative undercurrents negate and distract the spirit of this place.

Perhaps the funding allocated to last year’s civic branding exercise should be directed to form public-pride-of-place and community-building sessions.

To those who continue to derail all open house forums, take some time to reflect on the negative impact you are having on your cherished community.

If all else fails, drink wine.

Don Wuori, Surrey