In the Wednesday edition of the Gazette (Sept. 27), the election candidates were asked their opinions on the future of Ray Gibbon Drive. Most of the answers were very similar; however, one answer in particular was very concerning. Shayne Kawalilak targeted environmental groups as the source of our problems with that road and he implied that more convenience when changing a flat tire is more important than protecting a delicate ecosystem from contamination. He said that the Sturgeon River is no more important than other rivers in the province. Guess what. The Sturgeon River is more important than any other river in the province. It is because it is mine; it is ours. It is our river to protect. The other answers from candidates also did not address a concern that many St. Albertans have. The health of our natural environment. Many studies have shown that increased road noise negatively impacts the breeding of songbirds and twinning the road will drastically increase the noise level. As well, harmful road related chemicals harm the water and air. These chemicals, such as contaminated water from road runoff, will only increase if the road is twinned. Grey Nuns White Spruce Park, Lois Hole Centennial Provincial Park, and the Sturgeon River are important not just to St. Albert, but to all of North America as they are an important stopover point and breeding area for a massive number of migratory birds, many of which are sensitive or at risk in our province. There definitely is a need to reduce traffic congestion, but maybe we should look at alternatives, such as an LRT connected to Edmonton, instead of spending 250 million on twinning Ray Gibbon Drive. Many generations from now, when we are long gone, do we want our legacy to be an old decrepit highway or a healthy river and lake filled with wildlife? Jill and Scott Tansowny, St. Albert
