Dear City Council of Lantzville,

I am a Vancouver Island resident and I have long been familiar with Dirk Becker’s little homestead.  As a mother of three girls, healthy organic food is important to me and I would much rather purchase that food locally to support my regional economy.  Not to mention that I am deeply aware of the island’s food security issues (or lack of food security whatsoever).  

While my job as a mother made this issue important to me, my paid job is as an author. I write on the issues of sustainability, self-reliance and organic food, and in fact lately my publisher has commissioned me to write a book solely on the trials that small organic farmers face in staying in business.  My career is completely supported by an enormous group of passionate and motivated people.  This movement is not part of some fringe or ‘hippie’ group.  These are people from all walks of life and all incomes, business and political leaders included.

My point is that you may not realize that you are dealing with a much greater situation here than simply a disorderly resident breaking a bylaw.  The story has now garnered international media attention and Dirk Becker is becoming a hero for the local and organic food movements.  This will have long-lasting impacts on your individual careers and your places in the community.

I am well aware of the manner in which Dirk was growing food.  His residential area is very rural and whatever complaints any neighbor had against him could easily be brought against any number of residents near him who are undertaking similar activities.  So what is the real issue here?  It is surprising to me that the city of Lantzville would choose to bully a successful and contributing member of the Lantzville economy, by interpreting a bylaw in such a discriminatory way.

Please note that unless this situation changes for the positive, I will fight for Dirk Becker and use my influence here on the island to make sure that none of you are reelected this coming November.  I would also never do business with people who behave so unprofessionally in their capacity as council members.  Only one of you has visited Becker’s property to date as far as I am aware, and that should weigh on your collective consciences.  How can you threaten someone with jail and turn a person’s entire life’s work upside down without even looking at it? 

I would like to assume, however, that this is a case of miscommunication and misunderstanding.  I would love to explain to you all about the island’s food security crises and what that means, and why supporting people who grow food locally is so vital for our economy and future, which I can humbly say I am an expert in.  If you have any desire for further dialogue with the community that elected you, I would suggest that you learn about those two very important issues.

Thank you for your time.

Sincerely

Nicole Faires

PS. I have posted this on my blog which has an enormous amount of visitors, forwarded it to the local newspapers, and on to all the important people who need to know. I am also seriously considering including this story in the book that I mentioned above.