As a regular contributor to the letters section in local newspapers, on matters of community interest and public policy, I have observed a continuing interest with the subject matter referenced by some of the letters. They are re-published here as a public service.

Following is an article first published in 1999 and re-published here to serve as a reference on the issue.

The Editor, Moncton Times & Transcript,

I must congratulate you on what surely appears to be a major and positive transformation in the editorial attitude of the Times & Transcript.

Your front page coverage of Paul Richard's presentation to the Moncton Rotary Club "Moncton blazes the trail" was an excellent endorsement of the policies and initiatives that have driven the economic recovery and/or advancement of Moncton over the last dozen years.

• 10.7% population growth since 1991.
• An 11.8% increase in companies with more than 100 employees.
• A 17.5% increase in new home construction from 1995 to 1997.
• Moncton has the highest average income ($39,961) in Atlantic Canada,
• and the lowest cost of living in Canada, said Mr. Richard.
• He also reported that from 1991 to 1999, Moncton led the Country in job creation with "a whopping boost of 14.4%".

Now if the new Tory government can deliver on its promises to lower taxes, abolish highway tolls and balance the budget, we'll have it made in the shade.

While we're on a roll, it also seems appropriate to congratulate you on your editorial N.B. must preserve history. History, as manifested by our old buildings and structures, is part of the charm and appeal of New Brunswick for tourists.

Lighthouses are Maritime and Provincial icons and demand preservation if we are to continue differentiating our landscape from that of our inland brethren. In fact, I would encourage our new Minister of Tourism and Culture to examine the possibility of establishing a Government-funded lighthouse and historic building preservation fund for just that purpose.

I would also encourage you to continue pushing for major improvements at the airport.

As the centre of a 1.4 million population base, Moncton is naturally located at the centre of the Maritimes.

• 2.5 hours to Halifax via the new toll highway,
• 1.5 hours to Charlottetown via the toll bridge,
• 1.5 hours to Saint John,
• 2 hours to Fredericton and,
• two hours to the Miramachi and Bathurst.
• The Moncton airport is a hub for cargo and passenger movement.
• New terminals have been built by major courier services like Purolator, UPS and Federal Express,'
• but the airport needs a new passenger terminal (on the north side of the field) with direct access from the four lane highway and the TCH.

Regular, direct and year-round air-service is needed from Moncton to Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Boston, Europe and the UK to build business and visitor ties with those communities and with the extended communities served by international hubs.

A rail link from a new downtown Moncton passenger rail terminal (designed with historic character) to the airport would enhance the City's value as both a destination and as a cargo & passenger distribution centre.

As the geographic centre of a population of 1.4 million , Moncton is naturally located as the shopping, recreational and entertainment hub of the Maritimes.

To take full advantage of its location, the City needs to add a downtown trade and convention centre and a 10,000 seat stadium, new restaurants and another 1,000 hotel rooms.

It's time to twin or replace the Gunningsville bridge.

Vaughn Harvey Blvd:

• could funnel traffic through downtown Moncton and create new business opportunities for the City (retail and accommodation).
• An approach route to the Gunningsville bridge could extend from the Commercial Street bypass, travel behind the COOP store direct to the bridge entry point to avoid the Heritage Court bottleneck.and create opportunity for retail and accommodation sites along Commercial Street.

As I said to you in an earlier letter, the Times & Transcript has an opportunity to contribute positively to the economic development of New Brunswick. Do it with imagination and perseverance.

Bill Belliveau,

Shediac, N.B.