So it would appear that some people are content to live in a never-neverland fantasy world in which everything is roses and unicorns, blindly accepting what government tells them is the truth and what they do is righteous.
Some put unfettered trust in government to do the “right” thing and merrily go on about their blissful way. Others are not so easily swayed. They question authority because they know those in charge are frequently not acting in the best interest of the public.
Governments are elected to do the bidding of the electorate, not push their own agenda. There is a political price to be paid for forgetting this principle. There are many more people who seriously question Banff’s current regime than is apparent.
The “reality” is that the configuration of the Bear Street proposal, with its corkscrew layout and planter box barriers in the conceptual drawings, effectively closes off vehicular traffic and parking and merely transfers congestion to Wolf, Lynx and Banff Avenue.
The “reality” is that, according to the recent Banff Trail Plan put out this past fall, Muskrat Street is clearly shown as being converted from a functioning street to a greenway bike path with a conspicuous absence of cars and sidewalks.
The “reality” is that when governments are out of touch with the wishes of the people and arrogantly pursue their own agenda, they are removed from office the next time the voters go to the polls.
I am immediately reminded of what happened to the Mulroney-Campbell federal Conservatives in the 1993 election. After a multitude of gaffes and ignoring Canadians, voters had enough of their nonsense and reduced the largest majority in Canadian history to a mere two seats.
That is the high cost of not effectively listening to, and acting on the wishes and concerns of the public. People won’t stand for “buffoonery” in the way they are governed. I much prefer participatory democracy rather than decisions being made in which the public has little to no effective say.
The pencil that I mark my next election ballot will be my bayonet. I will not reward this council and mayor with another term in office to continue their parade of schemes.
Mark Bowes
Banff
