Dear Editor
I just read your Thursday's column (What is the cost of life? Regional Optimist June 19) and I wholeheartedly support you in the "safety" issues that surround this fast and growing city. If we are the gateway to the north then all types of traffic use our city and those intersections you noted are treacherous due to volume. I agree that corporate contributions would ease part of the financial burden that these "safety" features could solve. After all they are making a profit at the expense of the citizen. So it begs the question "How does the City justify the safety of the citizens of North Battleford."
Money - doesn't it always boil down to that. How is the collecting on those unpaid taxes coming along, or how about the Traffic Safety Service from the RCMP and the City consider staking out places that will bring in revenue (beside hiking taxes) like in school zones? That river will never dry up. There are speeders every single day; changing the signage didn't seem to make any difference. Fines would pay for the officer and contribute to the City coffers three-fold. The only ones complaining will be those having to contribute.
Times they are a changin' with a growing population (even though some of it is transient due to construction), more vehicles on the road, more kids in our schools, just all in all more. Forward thinking with an eye on satisfying the citizen is needed, not talk at the water cooler. We are all visionaries. Talk + action = more visible changes. How about sprucing up the city with paint and perhaps even a business tax break. We all know that first impressions are the beginning.
A big congratulations to Communities in Bloom for giving it their all, but we can do more to help their cause. Yes, yes, I heard that - some responsibility must be on the business or building owner. You know who you are. Don't you want your building leased? Make it look attractive. Let's make our city pleasant to the eye. What's that word? Oh, yes, pride! "A feeling or deep pleasure or satisfaction derived from one's own achievements, the achievements of those with whom one is closely associated, or from qualities or possessions that are widely admired." Yes, yes, that's it!
The Chamber of Commerce has good advice. The City needs their input. Restrictions give the impression that we are not open for growth, even though the City says we are bringing in businesses. By the way Mayor Hamilton, how is the recruiting coming for those "big box stores" you keep dangling. Growth in small towns is attractive due to proactive and progressive thinkers. Pride is not only attractive to investors but town folk. Seeing is believing!
Don't ya love free speech!
R. Cooper
North Battleford
