Isn’t it telling that both the prime minister and the leader of the federal NDP are not attending the Calgary Stampede?
It’s their choice, but it could reveal that if there is no advantage politically, then there’s no point in going.
The Stampede shouldn’t really be about politics, but unfortunately it is — unless of course you’re a Calgarian or an Albertan, then it’s all about having a good time.
Politics sometimes is no fun at all.
Douglas Cornish, Ottawa
Calgary’s natural beauty fading
Re: Neglected state of our parks shameful, Letters, July 4
Letters writer Rob Jobst is singing my song. I’m old enough to remember when Calgary had a horticultural department that kept this city’s parks and green spaces looking well-maintained.
I know we’re living in an era of “no more taxes” mentality and Calgary is not the sleepy little city of 300,000 people in which I grew up.
I miss the days when every little neighbourhood park was planted with marigolds, snapdragons and geraniums, the boulevards were trimmed and trees were pruned. It costs money but it provides jobs that cycle back into our economy.
I hate to see the city I love and have lived in for 68 years look as shabby as she now does.
Jo-Ann Mason, Calgary
Accountability key in probe of pipe break
Re: Back to the drawing board for city staff; Committee shoots down proposed approach to third party review, July 4
The investigation of the recent water pipe failure should cover two distinct components: technical aspects as to why and how the pipe failed, and whether operation and maintenance were carried out in a responsible fashion.
An appropriate institution for the first would be APEGA as they, being an association of engineers, have the technical know-how to determine why components fail. The second part concerning responsibility and accountability is a legal issue.
The public would be served if an explanation of both is provided in a timely fashion along with measures that will avoid repetition of the event.
Theo van Besouw, Calgary
Purpose of rebranding is unclear
Re: Officials unveil new Blue Sky City logos as part of $5.8M rebranding exercise, July 4
Why did we need a rebranding? Are there not enough people being motivated to relocate to Calgary? Were there not enough companies opening new businesses in the city? Were there not enough tourists coming?
Were these conditions so dire and in crisis that we needed to spend $5.3 million to reverse this trend?
Or perhaps the talking heads at city hall just needed another vanity project to put their name on.
Dale McGonigal, Calgary
Put money for ‘pet projects’ toward water line repair
The mayor and council have expressed a lot of concern about paying for the costs of the water main break. While they haven’t revealed what those costs are, there have been a lot of hints about needing a significant jump in water rates. But the city recently raised our taxes almost eight per cent and included $600 million in “special projects” and social engineering.
Isn’t the city infrastructure much more important than their special projects? Why can’t that money be diverted to pay for the costs of the water main break, which is what the city is supposed to be responsible for, rather than using it for its own pet projects, which are definitely not critical.
Ken Rodych, Calgary