You know, it sometimes gets to be a bit demoralizing to hear constant backlash against pretty much anything that is proposed in our mountain towns.
Whether it’s affordable housing, trail construction, developments being between approved or denied, roadwork, bike-related projects, redevelopment of daycare lands, municipal development plans, etc. (and the list goes on), the vast majority of comment is negative.
In fact, it makes one wonder what, if anything, would actually be viewed as being a positive move in the Bow Valley. Rarely, and this is because the negative voice is generally the loudest, are the terms “well done,” “good idea,” or something along the lines of “that’s different, but innovative,” uttered.
In recent weeks, out of nowhere, citizens are weighing in on the good, the bad or the ugly of a rail link between Calgary and the valley, unlikely as it is. Peaks of Grassi detractors continue to rail against Canmore’s decision to allow development, along with a bit of affordable housing, on the south side of town. Anything to do with acceptance of bicycling infrastructure in Banff, it seems, is responded to in the negative. The list of what spurs naysayers to comment goes on, and on, and on.
We would also point out that a person who speaks out against virtually anything that is proposed, anywhere, at any time, loses credibility as simply being a contrarian; of either the male or female persuasion.
Today, then, we’re happy to report that this situation is not unique to the Bow Valley, as the dreaded, dangerous, suspicious planting of trees in Calgary has also sparked negative outrage.
Much like some years ago when an outdoor rink was proposed for the Peaks of Grassi in Canmore, to great consternation (despite others reporting that should a no-charge rink be built in any other neighbourhood in almost any other community in Alberta it would be cheered), citizens living near the University of Calgary are viewing the planting of trees in a park as something akin to allowing a Hell’s Angels clubhouse to be built, or a new needle exchange facility, or a toxic waste dump.
Yes, in the Brentwood area, Calgarians are up in arms because the city planted a dozen saplings in a park across the street from their homes. The argument is that as these trees grow, they will provide cover for urban campers, thieves or drug users and make it more difficult to see neighbouring homes.
Hopefully that lightens your day, as it has ours.
The strange case of the disappearing DMF
With the recent demise of Canmore Business and Tourism, due largely to funding dollars disappearing – due to the refusal of some accommodation providers in town to pay into a Destination Marketing Fund (DMF), we can’t wait to see what the Canmore Hotel and Lodging Association comes up with as a replacement idea; as accommodation providers (page 13).
The DMF, created when a number of hotel owners began to voluntarily collect a three per cent levy on rooms to pay for town-wide marketing through CBT, collapsed due to the fact all similar accommodation providers were on board.
DMF boosted CBT funding to the tune of $7 million over eight years – which is a lot of money come up with to ensure Canmore and area is marketed to the masses.
