Editor:
Well, first of all no matter what you think me personally, it’s not about me.
It’s about our town, our community and what you people are saying and thinking. Although I wholeheartedly agree with and stand behind what I write or have written, the majority of the ideals are from your friends and neighbours whom believe we have a mayor and council that are not listening and bullying the issues upon us.
Here is what I would have done based on your feedback and the use of common sense.
The pedestrian bridge would be in Central Park where it belongs. The foot path across the ice in winter is point proven. From 15- to 80-year-olds all agree on this point.
Would not have voted in favour of a 150-person staff accom in a residential neighbourhood. Like 95 per cent of our citizens, common sense would dictate that teachers, firefighters, nurses, families and our Beaver Street community is more important to us than 150 transient workers of Caribou Properties. There is a more community-friendly solution.
Would not have gone against 84 per cent of the voting populous and rammed paid parking down our throats only to be reversed later.
Would not have attacked the retail sector for doing business as they have for over 20 years in the outdoor merchandising debacle, only to be reversed when once again they realized they were wrong.
Would not have disrespected the people of the 100 block of Beaver Street by turning their community into a parking lot, resulting in garbage and filth in people’s yards, only to be reversed when they realized how wrong they were yet again.
Get rid of the scramble crosswalks ASAP and get traffic flowing down the avenue.
Would never suggest to spend $80,000 of taxpayers’ money on thought police. Let’s brainwash our citizens into not driving. Ridiculous.
Would never have banned clapping and freedom of expression as our mayor did. This great nation of ours was built on freedom of speech and expression. If you are worried about people’s reactions, start listening to and abiding to your town’s wishes.
Would turn Bow Avenue back into one of the most beautiful, peaceful places to walk, bike, sit or just enjoy your day rather than the planet’s most beautiful parking lot.
Would have been a true leader and been the one to have made Councillor Karlos apologize for his infamous F-bomb. Once again, I am not saying didn’t apologize, just saying any leader with respect for their position, their council and their townspeople should have and would have done so.
Now that we have a pedestrian bridge, albeit in the wrong location and smelling like poo, I would immediately decrease the sidewalk size on the car bridge to accommodate four lanes across to increase traffic flow.
I will give credit where credit is due and say that the outdoor seating for coffee shops and restaurants is a great enhancement for the visitor experience and locals.
In conclusion, the number one thing I would do different is I would listen to, respect and abide by the people’s wishes that voted you in. But these are not what I would do, but what we would have done differently if we had a mayor and council that listened to and cared about its constituents.
Greg Christou,
Banff
