The Editor:

THE GAS 'N' GO RETAIL LIQUOR OUTLET ON THE DYKE ROAD

Some bad news. According to the records of the Province's Liquor Control and Licensing Branch, Mr. Wayne Procter intends to operate a retail liquor outlet with off sales out of his Gas 'N' Go service station site on the Dyke Road. The store could be open from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 p.m. seven days a week.

There's more. The Ministry of Transport has allowed Mr. Procter to squeeze in a centre- left-hand-turn lane (which is often referred to as a "suicide lane") in front of his site. This will enable drivers to cut across ongoing traffic to enter or exit his site, and the site of the food and coffee businesses across the road.

We do not know exactly how large the increase in traffic will be in and out of the Gas 'N' Go site: cars, trucks, and fuel tanker trucks. We don't know how many people will be backed up in the left-hand-turn-lane waiting impatiently for the empty space to come by so they can dart across the oncoming traffic. But we do know there will be a major increase in traffic at the site compared to what is happening at present. (The site currently houses a boat repair shop.) The Gas N go station, according to some rumours we have heard, will be open 24/7.

A recent traffic study from MoT (April 2009) indicates that 1275 vehicles an hour passed in front of the Gas 'N' Go site during peak hours.

We know from the latest statistics obtained from ICBC that over a 5 year period there have been 125 crashes on the Dyke Road between the top of Comox Hill and the 17th Street Bridge. That's two crashes a month. The majority of crashes, 75, involved bodily injury. We suspect that there have been even more crashes that were not reported because of concerns about insurance.

If you and your family drive the Dyke Road on a regular basis, or if you live in the neighbourhood and walk the road, as members of the K'omoks First Nation do, or-even worse-if you ride the shoulder of the road on a bicycle (there are no bike lanes) you should be concerned. No...you should be outraged.

The regional district has given Mr. Procter a development permit and is now about to give him a building permit. The Regional District has failed to tell the people of the Comox Valley the facts about this situation. They continually seem to hide behind their "form and character" argument. ("We are only concerned with whether the design of the buildings fit the "neighbourhood.") How long have they known about the liquor store?

What can be done about the Gas 'N' Go situation? Nothing, according Mr. Jim Gillis, Area B Director. What a turnaround. Remember his statement during the election campaign in September 2008? If the folks in Toronto could stop the Spadina Expressway, we can stop the Gas 'N' Go station. But since he has come into office he's changed his tune. Now it's ...Nothing can be done. It's a done deal. Don't look at the past. Get over it and move on.

We disagree profoundly with Mr. Gillis. If you live in this valley, are concerned with your safety and are outraged at what is happening, you have a voice. You can write, email and phone your representatives on the Regional District Board. Your can get your churches, social clubs, schools, and businesses to do the same thing.

Tell Mr. Gillis and the Regional District, you demand that they hold a public meeting so you can get the facts. They should make sure that representatives of MOT, ICBC, the Liquor Control and Licensing Branch, the RCMP, the MLA and Mr. Procter be there to tell you the facts. Ask the Regional District to explain precisely how proceeding with this gas station, the liquor store and the left hand turn lane will ensure your safety and that of your family as you travel the Dyke Road.

Yours truly,

Mike Bell, Chairperson
Sierra Club Comox Valley