Re: ‘Communication problem at city hall,’ Nov. 3 Gazette:
If the Arlington Drive project actually goes ahead, it will only prove that the comments made in this article are nothing more than rhetoric designed to smooth ruffled feathers of the people Mayor Nolan Crouse chose to ignore both before and after this election.
After all, nobody can hold our mayor’s feet to the fire, when Alfred Nikolai claims that Habitat for Humanity has no intentions returning to St. Albert. No, Crouse could easily chalk this ‘gaff’ up to a learning experience, with residents of Akinsdale as the scapegoats.
If Crouse really does mean what he said in this article, he and his fellow council members should be willing to consider other options for the Habitat project. For instance, how about a trade off? Give Habitat the equivalent of 15 empty PS1 lots spread throughout the city to accommodate duplex housing? Not only would council be assisting in the desegregation of all the families, but they would also be saving them the cost of condo fees.
For example, without even including Arlington Drive or the recently annexed lands, there are at least 13 other properties identified as PS1 that could easily accommodate a duplex or two:
• 50 Hogan Rd.
• 35 and 60 Oak Vista Dr.
• 5 Eldorado Dr.
• 60 Liberton Dr.
• 75 Poirier Ave.
• 6 Vital Ave.
• 2 Madonna Dr.
• 50 Sir Winston Churchill Ave.
• 57 Cunningham Road
• 20 Green Grove Dr.
• 1 Gates Ave.
• 12 Gates Ave.
To date, there appears to be no plans for schools in those locations and there is no reason why these properties should be treated any differently than Arlington Drive.
Fred Trotter, St. Albert
