Looking at the front page story in the Progress on Feb. 3 (“Maple Falls Road residents fed up with localized flooding”), readers may receive the impression that I as MLA have done nothing about this issue, but I first met with a constituent about it in January 2019. The day after that meeting I wrote to the Transportation Minister, and received in response a written commitment to address the flooding.
• READ MORE: Maple Falls Road residents fed up with localized flooding
• RELATED: Flooding irks Maple Falls Road residents - 2011
The reason it was not completed last summer is that the Ministry was waiting for a permit, and by the time they received it, the area was full of water.
I have now been assured by the Ministry that all permits are in place and work to clear the area that causes flooding will begin as soon as possible this year.
I have spent hours listening to complaints about this.
I last traveled to the area during the most recent flood and talked to constituents then. Working together with the government and Taryn Dixon, my Regional District counterpart, we were able to get emergency status for them so that those residents could stay in a hotel if they needed. I am now working on assistance for any property damage they have suffered.
My constituents can be assured that I will always work hard for them.
Laurie Throness
MLA Chilliwack-Kent