Dear editor,

I am dumbfounded by the vision of Port Alberni, the province, and other groups suggesting having an alternate route via Horne Lake.

So many say to go with the Horne Lake trail as an alternative - our mayor, our Elders, and our spoken advocates. I have to say all are wrong. We have a wonderful route if the people in control could only analyze and realize the economic benefits.

If the voted-in politicians and powers-to-be could actually visualize the route and potential economic benefits we could have a win-win for all parties involved - residents, voters, municipalities, etc.

A road exists between Great Central Lake and the end of Beaver Creek (follow the Beaufort Range) it actually intersects across from Sproat Lake Provincial Park area. From Sproat Lake Provincial Park travel towards Great Central Lake and follow through on Ash Main to Comox Main. The route comes out at Comox Lake and enters the Cumberland area which leads to the Inland Island Highway.

I am sure the kilometers involved are minor and a much more enjoyable route than the suggested Horne Lake route. If the current government or future government wants to focus on tourism as the savior, they need to be focussing on putting through the road from Cumberland to Sproat Lake - this could be the greatest and newest route to opening up the mid-Island and west coast.

Here you have Comox with the airport facilities; the region offers so much for Port Alberni residents in services from hospital, to retail services. A route from Comox to Port Alberni and on to Tofino and Ukee - even access to Bamfield - only makes sense.

At the moment the politicians look for a short-term fix for an alternate route. If we the public are to be smart, we should be looking to the future and the alternative route to help increase the economic impact and provide benefits to all communities involved. If our powers to-be could actually make a proactive decision that works today and for the future, this is it!

Thanks,

Darren Johnston