Dear Editor,
Re: Don’t like the face of the new Okotoks, Sept. 6
In his letter, Parker Banks says he fears for the future of Okotoks, leaning heavily on one example: The presence of someone begging near Canadian Tire. He suggests she get a job.
I'd challenge his use of this woman as an example. Wouldn't the small-town values he pines for translate into reaching out to help someone in need, rather than focusing on how off-putting it is to see her struggle publicly? What if she is being forced to beg, or can't work for some less-than-obvious reason?
Look, I'm not trying to lambaste him, I just think he should consider the irony in his letter. And I do understand his larger point about Okotoks growing and how it has changed/will change our community.
Let me tell you about my fears — things that have an imminent impact on our lives: Huge class sizes in our public schools; the state of healthcare and what that means heading into the upcoming flu season; the temperature and low level of the Sheep River and what that means for the river valley ecosystem; suburban sprawl and lack of affordable housing; the water pipeline (to be constructed) and its ability to meet the demands of our community while Calgary is already seeing shortages.
I digress.
Growth is definitely not without risk, but not because of the woman outside Canadian Tire.
Jessica Hallam
Okotoks