LETTER – Give Jamieson back to the people; remove the squatters

Re: ROTHENBURGER – Squatters have taken Jamieson Creek away from the public

I would just like to add my two cents about the squatters out at Jamieson.  I for one think it’s atrocious the mess they have made. Couple of theses camps have taken some of the best spots for families to camp and made a nightmare of a mess with them.

I’ve have witnessed one couple doing laundry in the creek while the other camp with the two dogs has been there for over three years now and those dogs are a danger.    Couple of times now I have been up there taking my dog for a walk and they have charged my vehicle with excessive barking.

It is unsafe for us to even walk our dogs let alone have small children accompany us while walking through some of my favorite trails up there.  Granted there are bears and cats and what not and that kind of thing and we are prepared for it with mace and not leaving food and eight out of 10 times that bear or cat will most likely be more afraid of us then we are of them.  But those dogs are not.  They are intimidating and dangerous to say the least.

I don’t believe that squatters should just be allowed to go claim a piece of the public’s nature as their own.   They are making a mess of the nature just to get away from paying taxes and whatever else the rest of us are set out to pay when living in the  city.

The destruction of our forest is happening and it’s a very special place to some.  Kids take their grad camping trips to these areas; some families loved the camping and the nature walks.  Field trips for nature classes were set out  in this area but can no longer. Who wants to teach their children that squatting is the way to go?

All I’m saying is there are plenty of forested areas — why pick the ones that are used for recreational uses for the whole city?  They should not be allowed to stay in one place this long, soon there will be more. Making them move makes it less permanent. If nothing’s done about it over the years it’s only gonna get worse and soon that creek will be so contaminated you’ll have a bigger mess to clean up .

Give Jamieson back to the people and get those people out of there.   It’s disgusting and  annoying. Not too mention unsafe.