I find myself again trying to understand some human behaviors, thought processes, values and the rest.
I have been a small business owner in St. Albert for six years; I am the only employee and, like many, struggle through the ups and downs of the economic cycle. I market my business (a home renovation and painting company). I do this primarily through this newspaper, decals, lawn signs and, of course, word of mouth, all in an attempt to secure jobs to pay my mortgage, feed the family, and meet the basic necessities of life.
This morning I left our home to drive to a new job only to find my truck broken into and cleaned out, and worse than that, my work trailer was gone. Yes, alarms and hitch locks were all in place, under a street light in front of my bedroom window. All the tools of my trade were inside. At this moment I am sitting in my home office calling my hard-won customers to let them down, and spending countless hours with the police and insurance company trying to figure out when I can get back to providing for my family, assuming my customers are willing and able to wait.
I don't pretend to understand the criminal mind — I am not sure I want to. Is it done on a lark? As a challenge? Just financial gain? Do they feel hard done by and are just getting what the world owes them? I ask myself if they care that they have put a small business out of business in that one quick simple step. Probably not. I just don't understand.
Richard Harris, St. Albert
