It is evident in her letter that Valerie Spink (Gazette, Nov. 18) prefers a doctrinaire type of government as opposed to one with critical thinkers. I would remind her of the multiple thousands of soldiers who fought to give us the freedom to live in a safe country and the freedom to speak. However, her knowledge of this seems to have fallen on deaf ears. It would appear the newly-elected councillors have opted to play nice in our mayor's sandbox and they don't want to get on her bad side – thereby leading Ms. Spink to say they are the good councillors. This leads me to believe we have another group of sycophants who are not willing to "take a stand" for fear of falling out of favour with our new leader.
In addition, the voting privilege we enjoy is because of the many who gave their lives for our country and to save oppression in the world. In case Ms Spink forgot, that voting privilege was taken away from us as the citizens of St. Albert voted a resounding "no" to the construction of a new library.
To point out the fact Councillor Sheena Hughes appeared to have her favourite toy taken away smacks of hypocrisy as the writer herself, has been and always will be an advocate for the library. It sounds like she will have a hissy fit if the library is not built.
It's too bad the two persons who wanted the will of the people respected have come under unwarranted criticism from Ms. Spink. Just as I am allowed to voice my opinion along with my freedom of speech, I heartily disagree with the comments uttered and thank those that had the intestinal fortitude to remind council that the people have spoken.
As I expected, with Mayor Cathy Heron's tenure, she will coerce and coddle the "newbies" and they will have no voice on matters. She learned well from her predecessor. Personally, give me the one who has the will of the people and the taxpayers front and centre and not the one who wants to leave a legacy at any cost.
A. I. Smith, St. Albert
