Being that this Outlook is on the stands on Christmas Eve, an unusual day due to the holidays and our press deadlines, we thought it a good opportunity to offer up a wish list, like so many people do at this time of year, to the big guy.
First and foremost, Santa, if you can put your most experienced elves on the project, it would be a massive relief for many people if everyone could get back into their flood-ravaged homes as soon as possible in 2014.
Having people not in their own homes for the holiday season, not to mention your visits tonight, just doesn’t seem right. If any of your elves are willing to work overtime after Christmas Eve, it would really help if they could somehow oversee the channeling of flood funds, mitigation work, home reconstruction and the re-uniting of families within their homes.
Also, Santa, during this time of general hope and giving, could you and yours try to ensure that we and ours have a safe and happy holiday? We journalists would rather not have to report on crashes, fires and crimes during the holiday season.
Further to the above items, and we at the Outlook are not being greedy here, we’d also like to pass on our own wish list.
For the Bow Valley Victim Services Assocation – a quiet holiday season where all volunteers can stay home with their loved ones, rather than have to respond to calls requiring their particular expertise. Crashes, fires and sudden personal tragedies do happen, but the least we could all do during this holiday season and beyond is ensure peace and goodwill among those closest to us.
For valley Olympians – continued efforts toward peaking for the Sochi Olympics in February. Then, hardware… hardware of any colour or, at the very least, and let’s be realistic here, personal bests all around. As a hub for Olympians, we hope some of you come back with luggage heavily laden with gold, silver or bronze.
For our municipal governments – fiscal responsibility, fewer studies, action on action items, steady staffing, a disaster-free 2014 and the continued gathering of, listening to and heeding of the thoughts, feelings and needs of residents. While our towns are tourism hotbeds; keep in mind that it is the residents who make them communities.
Parks Canada – continued success with a two per cent growth in visitors. To balance that, increased federal funding to funnel into science programs that have seen reductions in recent years. Also, in keeping with its own mandate, less reliance on the creation of more special events in favour of the attraction of visitors who want to experience the mountains and all that a natural, unspoiled national park has to offer. Let’s keep in mind, that, for as many people who are stoked about attending a created event in a national park, there will be those who are underwhelmed by a crowded town, traffic congestion and a general impression of “too busy.”
The 2014 Alberta Winter Games – success in attracting appropriate funding and enough volunteers to ensure events run smoothly. Being tourism towns, there is no telling how far forward hosting a successful games and sending young people away with fond memories will go in return visits in future.
The Outlook wishes everyone in the Bow Valley the very best during the holiday season and a safe, prosperous and joy-filled new year.
