Dear Editor,
Years ago, we moved to Okotoks, charmed by its small-town vibe, its river valley and its people. We soon discovered the limitations of its water source and later learned the town planners with council had decreed the town should double its current size.
Recently, our civic leaders posed declaring they had solved the water supply issue as we will divert water from the Bow River. Problem solved said they, however it is widely understood that the Bow River is under pressure and is in danger, a fact confirmed by the recent announcement that we are in a stage one drought.
In short, things are getting worse rapidly and yet we are led to believe that adding another 30,000-plus residents will be a success and good for all of us. Have you seen the condition of the Sheep River right now? It is under stress for all to see.
Water aside, it is widely understood that two per cent of your population are far from being solid citizens. Why would council welcome an additional 600 people into our community who are at best disrespectful and at worst willing to exploit it for their own gains?
Examples of this lack of respect for the community are already evident. Who has not seen examples of dangerous driving on our streets? More recently, the Wilkinsons wrote about their encounter with a bully over a parking space. That bully had his child with him who looks up to Daddy and is being taught how to be equally obnoxious.
Okotoks Municipal Enforcement issued 58 per cent more speeding tickets last year. Things won't improve with an increased population.
I am advocating for a slow down in our growth plans and for our leaders to lead the way, so we can preserve our piece of paradise because the only ones to gain from this plan are landowners and their immediate families who are salivating at the prospect of cashing out and leaving us all behind.
The municipal election is coming up so will any incumbents or would-be representatives have the backbone to take this on because if you do, then you will get my vote and many others.
I am not running for office, but maybe I should.
John Reilly
Okotoks
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You should run for office
Common sense
Bounce Tanya and Brent
City of Okotoks uncontrolled growth is ruining neighbouring Foothills County as well.
Really bad what had happened down here
Okotoks does NOT need to grow anymore
Get off your couches and VOTE!
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Thank you John Reilly! Couldn't agree with you more. We bought here because it was capped at 25k. I don't believe the Bow River is going to help much with the water shortage. As long as I can remember Okotokians have never been allowed to freely water when they want. Okotoks is growing way too fast. Not enough for thought about the impact this will have. You have my vote John Reilly!
I couldn't agree more, when I moved the cap was 12K and that was the reason I moved here.
I wanted a small town that was going to stay a small town. We have never been allowed to water freely in the 23 years I have lived here. My taxes keep increasing to pay for all this growth yet I have not seen one benefit or change that has increased the quality of my life here, in fact just the opposite, especially noise and traffic. John Reilly you have my vote as well.
We need the current council removed immediately. So many assinine decisions that affect us all.
Wait until the 15k person development moves into Aldersyde. Okotoks will be far from the great little town it is now
Okotoks development is out of control apartment s being put in with no consideration for neighbors
6 sets of lights with in a mile to accommodate cheap developers the list goes on
Sad to see the small town vibe destroyed
Amen!
Haha, you should! Already 5 votes here.
please do
I like when the mayor has her pat on the back Public City Hall Meetings and all questions to her and Brett need to be pre approved….
If they see a question they don’t like it does not make it on to the agenda..
I thought we had a democracy down here.
Time to shut these people down.
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Well John, as it currently stands with our current "leadership" (I can't even type that without a generous eye roll), you'd have my vote, if that's truly what your agenda would be.