Kudos to Canmore council for extending the public input stage of its decision making process in adopting a new municipal development plan.
Not only does an extension on gathering public input counter one of the complaints that a vocal few have been expressing in regard to adoption of the MDP, it will also allow time to ensure correct and factual information is out there regarding the plan.
As with any plan or proposal that even hints at development of affordable housing in our valley, naysayers have been quickest to speak against adoption.
One group (Friends of Peaks of Grassi), in fact, is already taking the litigation route as a means of attempting to halt development of parcels of land in that community.
We would like to point out that while there are those in Peaks against development of these parcels, there will be others who are for it. Rarely does an opposition group speak for everyone on any given issue.
Like recent letters to the editor writers have been suggesting, Canmorites should indeed read over the draft MDP document, and we encourage everyone who is concerned to take in upcoming public forums when councillors will make themselves available for comment.
Citizens need to decide for themselves if they believe every green space in town is under attack and about to be built over with affordable housing.
And now that council is looking at the first quarter of 2016 as far as extending the collection of public input goes, there is no reason that anyone – anyone – interested in a new MDP can’t be fully versed on what it includes.
As journalists and anyone who has spent any time on a municipal council knows, those that speak the loudest generally speak first and most often. And the negative voice is often the most strident, even if uninformed.
As an example, look no further than Banff council’s coming under attack in relation to paid parking, affordable housing, bike lanes, etc. Much like some are saying Canmore’s MDP is an attack on green space, naysayers in Banff have accused their council of trying to crush the business climate in their mountain town.
The entire MDP issue is much like the current election situation where voters, interested citizens in this case and not necessarily of voting age, should educate themselves on the issue at hand, rather than be swayed by information put out there by special interest groups. Then offer up your opinion.
Darkness falls …
As fall days pass and grow shorter as we approach winter, we’ve noticed how many fewer hours of daylight we’re being blessed with.
Each day, sunrise is later and sunset is earlier, leaving us with more hours spent in darkness.
We wonder then, why it is that area cyclists seem to insist on wearing the darkest possible clothing while on their metal steeds, while also foregoing the sensible adoption of lighting on their bikes.
Banff and Canmore have adopted new, bike-friendly paths, road markings and signage, to keep cyclists and vehicles separated as much as possible for the safety of cyclists.
One has to wonder, then, why cyclists, those adults who actually ride on the road rather than the sidewalks, wouldn’t take a hint and possibly invest in their own future by shelling out a few bucks for simple lights. Bike light packages can run to as little as $20, certainly under $50 – a small investment in saving your own life.
