The Gazette by doing a good job of choosing letters to the editor has me wanting to weigh in on a few debate topics presently ongoing.
First I would like to say what a good job Patrick Draper has been doing since St. Albert was fortunate enough to retain him. He has a mind and vision to see the future and recommend steps we should be taking to be prepared to meet that future. We hired him for his knowledge, but often seem too ignorant and short-sighted to take advantage and use it.
This brings me to the bad. No one, including myself wants to pay more money in taxes than the bare minimum that we have too. That being said, the 10-year outlook for our utility needs clearly shows that we can pay a little every year rather than be faced with huge debt all at once. It is the same intelligent thinking that has us put away money now for our retirement, even though we won’t spend that money until the future. The only people arguing this would be people that don’t think they will be a part of St. Albert’s future and their vote in that case shouldn’t carry much weight. One of the biggest problems we face in this province is there is no long-term plan. Politicians are only concerned with one term at a time, because they are fully aware if they state the hard facts and choices needed to have a prosperous future, they will not be re-elected. We must all get our heads out of the sand and change our collective way of thinking, and demand long-term plans.
We need diversity on council to represent the views of everyone, not a handful of people with the power to enact their personal agenda. It is easy to sit and point at people's mistakes, but you will not sway me to your side until you switch from mudslinging, to proposing intelligent new ideas.
Let’s not become a city of Us vs. Them, instead we need to work together for the betterment and future of all.
Tim Andrew, St. Albert
