My June 27 letter “Let the downtown breathe” has certainly stirred up some reactions — some in print and some sent directly to me at home.
I sincerely apologize for any potential offence I have caused... my opinions are not an attack on any individual members of the Heritage Commission or their good intentions.
I am simply expressing my personal opinion regarding “heritage” issues and preservationism and many Nelson residents and business owners have thanked me for doing so.
I visited and enjoyed the current display at Touchstones showing Baker Street past and present — it’s a fascinating display and well worth seeing, but I think it probably contributed to the reawakening of my “heritage” concerns.
I have great difficulty accepting the “tastes” of others when applied to — or done to — private enterprise unless it comes directly from the marketplace and patrons it serves.
I am greatly relieved to hear from several Heritage Commission members that the commission no longer spends time critiquing the design and colour choices of business owners who opt for sandwich boards... (this was not the case when I had a shop on Baker Street and was told that a white background was unsuitable because white wasn’t a “heritage” colour!)
And, as for Mr. Raby’s paragraph in the Star of July 25: “Baker Street is the only area that would be required to adhere to heritage design guidelines reviewed in the future not by a democratic group but exclusively by city staff” ... that’s precisely what I was afraid of!
Kate Bridger
Nelson