I'm writing in response to the article "Bylaw enforcement committee to be expanded," in the June 26, 2018 edition of your paper.
I have read this article repeatedly, and become more disturbed each time I read it.
First of all, is the bylaw in question pertaining to holiday trailers and motorhomes? That's not clearly indicated as there is reference to trailers, mobile homes and motorhomes.
Will citizens living in permanent "manufactured" homes (also know as mobile homes) be expected to make the necessary changes to set them on "a hard surface"? Most of these are set up with skirting, or on a foundation, and are on taxpayer-owned property.
The motorhomes and holiday trailers, parked in the yards of taxpayers, are often only there for the summer months, and moved to storage lots during the winter. What will be next? A bylaw prohibiting parking of these privately-owned units on privately-owned property?
I take offence to having any of the above being described as "trailer park trash." I do not live in a manufactured home, but find this so insulting.
There are 88 manufactured homes in this town, over and above the 35 that are in the mobile home park. Some of the manufactured homes are better kept than some of the permanent residences.
Another paragraph reads "when you drive around and there's trash in everybody's yard and garbage all over the street because they haven't bothered to get two containers, they don't want to come here."
Not everyone in this town of ours can be blanketed under this description. However, if I were an outsider and read this article, I probably wouldn't even bother checking Bowden out.
I welcome any of the town councillors to come to my house and point out the trash that's supposedly "in everybody's yard." They will not find trash in the alley either, other than in the two bins designated for trash and recycling.
If there are some residents, be it in a manufactured home or a permanent dwelling, that are negligent in keeping up their residence, deal with each of these on an individual basis. Don't blanket the town with the description in the article.
I wonder if I am the only one who sees the negative implications that can come from this type of publicity about our town.
Grace Grose
Bowden
