Dear Editor,

People bought homes in Albion with the understanding that schools were available within walking distance.

Albion Elementary is now over capacity, and children moving in, who will live within walking distance, will be bused to other schools.

With no prospect of a new school in the near future, home prices are suffering, and it is now difficult to get proper market value for a home in the Albion area.

The same is now happening in Silver Valley, where a site set aside for a school, promised in official legislation, is being given up and rezoned for residential housing. This rezoning will result in even more children being bused elsewhere. The only school in the immediate area is already at 108 per cent capacity.

Maple Ridge council blames the school board, and the school board blames the province.

We have elected government officials to represent us, and we need them to accept responsibility, be accountable, and act in our best interest.

I urge council to delay the rezoning of the Silver Valley (potential school site) property until the school board has completed its study to determine the best site for a school in Silver Valley. I believe this is the best option for our entire community.

Citizens can attend the council meeting at City Hall, 11995 Haney Place, at 7 p.m. tonight (Feb. 12).

If this issue is important to you, please attend and speak up before it's too late.

Sean Orcutt, Maple Ridge