Dear Editor,
Regarding the plan to expand the library to move the town office to the provincial building, I was disappointed with council’s decision to hold a referendum on the issue rather than deciding the issue themselves.
It was a good plan. I see only good things happening once this project is underway and I am impatient to see it started.
I am also disappointed half the users of the library (the ones who live within Ponoka County) will have no say on the outcome of this vote. However, I do understand council’s reluctance to proceed without clear support from the community. They were elected in a controversial election on a platform of accountability and transparency. To give the community a say in this project is only extending this policy and council should be commended for this approach.
What disturbs me more than anything is the tone of the attacks against town council. Although there are some who have legitimate concerns over the library expansion — and council has bent over backwards to try to listen to these people — I feel that there is a concerted effort to harass and discredit this council.
At public meetings, in letters to the editor and attack ads in the newspaper, you can’t help but notice how free some people feel to express their anger and show their disrespect for what council stands for.
This is strange, for council was elected by a good majority. They do have the support of a huge part of the electorate.
At any rate, there is going to be a referendum on the library expansion on June 3. Whether the expansion goes ahead will depend on the results of this referendum. It will be important that all the supporters of the library get out to vote on this day.
Remember you are not just voting for yourselves but also for those disenfranchised users of the library who live in Ponoka County.
Jim Moore