Regarding St. Albert’s need for a branch library, Rachel Vincent (Gazette, Sept. 30) got it right: “It’s been 18 years since the need for an expansion of library services has been recognized. Aquatics and ice capacity were addressed by the extension of Fountain Park Recreation Centre and the construction of Servus Place (2000 and 2006 respectively.)” The “Petition by Electors of the City of St. Albert”: to the City council read, in part, as follows: The undersigned persons...hereby petition the Council of the City of St. Albert ... to hold a public vote on Borrowing by-law 24/2017... to finance the construction of the Branch Library. The question that appeared on the ballot was: Are you in favour of the City proceeding with further planning of a branch library? This is not what the initial petition question requested. The petition requested a public vote regarding the Borrowing By-Law – the method of acquiring the monies required to finance an approved project. It did not request a public vote for further planning of a project already approved. All three projects: branch library, additional aquatic space and ice requirements will be expensive and will result in a corresponding tax impact. Yet a councillor or councillors from the previous city council took it upon themselves to support a campaign designed to discredit the branch library project – a project to which they had previously given their approval. Children in St. Albert need swimming lessons – swimming is a necessary life skill. People in St. Albert line up for their children to have swimming lessons and often don’t get into class. A skating rink should be for all – those who wish to do leisure skating – not just competitive sport. Gwen Johnston, St. Albert
