Editor:

As one of the long-time residents of the Sunshine Coast, I feel the need to address one of the major issues relating to the longevity of the small town atmosphere.

It has taken many years and many dedicated Coasters to make this town the wonderful, lovable homespun community in which we live.

When people visit the Coast and decide that this is the place they want to open a business or become part of an existing business, remember that this is not Vancouver. It has a different dynamic to it. Don’t come here and think you’re going to have a thriving business just because you may have done it in the past somewhere else. This is a totally different community and it’s not the big city. It’s our home and we built it — you didn’t.

If you’re not going to take responsibility for maintaining our small town atmosphere, then stay away. Don’t try to change our town, or us. We like it just the way it is.

So many people move here and think, “Well, I got a job here, I can bring my way of thinking to this small little hick town.”

Wrong. Bring yourself and your family if you want, but learn to be a Coaster, not a big city wanna-be living in a small town.

If you’re truly serious about living here, learn about our town, our people, our customs. Become a part of the community; don’t come here and try and change it. We have been here a long time, and with or without you, whoever you may be, the Sunshine Coast will survive and thrive without your big-city ideas.

Kathy Patterson, Halfmoon Bay