Editor:
This is in response to your commentary editorial regarding the fraudulent letters and that recently, residents are being coaxed/coerced into complaining.
Also, your editorial stated that apparently nobody is bothered by Trans-Canada Highway or railway noise. To set the record straight, myself and many other residents have registered multiple complaints to Mayor Ron Casey and Council about the heli noise as early as May 26.
Also, one resident I know of has corresponded with the mayor and with MLA Janis Tarchuk, on June 1, regarding highway noise. The fraudulent letters are simply a smoke screen intended to dispel the legitimacy of the heli noise problem.
Why would somebody send very obvious fraudulent letters knowing that they would definitely be publicly retracted by the named individuals? It seems to me that these letters and the persons responsible are trying to discredit the legitimate complaints and defuse the fact that Canmore has a serious helicopter noise problem.
Last weekend, I visited Calgary and took a very pleasant walk in Fish Creek Park. I did not hear a helicopter, something that cannot be said for Canmore. Hardly a day goes by without hearing disturbing heli noise within this valley.
Where is the conscience of the owners and operators of Alpine Helicopters? Are they responsible residents of Canmore? If so, why do they continue to bombard their fellow residents of this valley with disgusting heli noise?
I realize that the town economy relies on tourism, but what is needed is responsible, eco-tourism that benefits both the economy and the well-being of its residents. Helicopter sightseeing does not do this and is best described as ‘Disneyland tourism’, totally inappropriate over the town boundaries.
The municipal heliport should only be used for essential services, such as emergency, rescue, forestry, utilities, etc. Public access and sightseeing operations are not suitable.
I retired and moved to Canmore intending to purchase a permanent residence here. However, the noise pollution in this valley has given me second thoughts. I am looking for a community that is concerned for the well-being of its residents and is not totally focused on development and tourism at any cost. Alpine Helicopters should do the right thing and move their sightseeing operation outside the Town boundaries ASAP and restore peace to this valley.
What’s next, motorboat tours on the Bow River?
Bob Smerek,
Canmore
