Editor:

When I lived in White Rock, I usually bought an annual parking pass which permitted me to park anywhere in the city for the reasonable price of $20.

Taxpayers deserve this break.

Since moving across the street from White Rock, it now costs me a minimum of $2 per hour to park on the beach, whether I want to go for a walk or dine in one of the many restaurants.

Hardly a week went by without visiting favourite spots. The distance from where I used to live and where I now live in Surrey is much the same, but the $2 minimum charge seems to have killed my desire to visit the beach.

I see this as a totally unfair charge brought on by one of the City of White Rock’s desperation taxes.

You only have to go up the street from East Beach and as far as Stayte Road to prove the parking fees are twice that of Surrey, where you can park for 15 minutes for 25 cents.

No more proof is needed to show how high White Rock parking has become, but did you know that parking at Crescent Beach and Blackie Spit is free? Yes, free.

One wonders how long it will take for White Rock citizens to see it is no longer an advantage to be independent. It may have been true in the ’50s and ’60s, but the world has closed in on the city since then.

During the election campaign, candidate Catherine Ferguson – now mayor – suggested the way to find out how White Rock residents feel about amalgamation with Surrey was to have a referendum.

Would not the September byelection be an ideal time for it?

John Dunne, Surrey

• • •

Re:  Lines are blurred in this tale of two cities, June 26 column.

Columnist Lance Peverley seems to think it’s the same to live in White Rock or South Surrey.

Not likely.

It’s like living in another country. Some countries are better than others – only separated by the thinnest of lines, too. Would you say living in Blaine, U.S.A. is the same as living in White Rock, Canada?

South Surrey should become part of White Rock – not vice versa.

Mayor Dianne Watts, with her grandiose, high-flying ideas, wants to move the city hall and everything to North Surrey, anyway.

So, we would be closer and better off with White Rock – especially now that White Rock doesn’t aspire to become an island anymore.

Maybe we can have a referendum on that.

Catharina Leidel, Surrey