I am writing to respond to the letter “Thumbs Up, Thumbs Down ” submitted by Bud Ottosen and printed in the Aug. 11 edition of the Advocate. While I agree with Mr.
I am writing to respond to the letter “Thumbs Up, Thumbs Down ” submitted by Bud Ottosen and printed in the Aug. 11 edition of the Advocate.
While I agree with Mr. Ottosen's observation that, “we need a new school, a new pool and fitness centre, and a new library, ” I find his statement that, “The road up this area is safe and there are really no reasonable reasons not to proceed with all these projects, ” rather baffling.
Surely Mr. Ottosen isn't suggesting that the safety of the road up to the multiplex should be the only criteria for deciding whether this project should go ahead? Perhaps it is the positive attitude of the multiplex manager or the enthusiasm of Mark Francis that should be the deciding factor. It wasn't exactly clear from his letter.
Is Mr. Ottosen aware that the space being offered to the library is smaller than the present location? There isn't enough space to meet the library's current needs, let alone its needs in the future. Personally, I find that a very compelling reason not to proceed with the library in the new school.
Also, there is no room for the archives in the new project. In the past year, archive staff and volunteers have helped 480 researchers. If the archives are relegated to a storage room at the university, it will be much harder for people to access and use them. Again, this seems like a very good reason not to proceed with the library project as proposed, despite the safe road.
The library board members are volunteers who are active patrons and use the services regularly. They have a good understanding of the needs of library staff and patrons. Their decision to not locate at the site of the new high school was not made quickly or easily. The reasons for their decision are sound and reasonable.
The road up to the multiplex might be safe, although it will be interesting to see what happens when we have a multitude of students zooming up and down it. Still, the road is very long and steep. One day Mr. Ottosen may be in a position when he is no longer able to drive a car. At that point he will discover all kinds of good reasons not to locate everything at the top of a steep hill right on the edge of town.
It is very easy to scoff at the naysayers when you have the luxury of a car, but not everyone (including myself) is so fortunate. I would challenge Mr. Ottosen to walk a mile in my shoes. Park your car at Buy-Low for one month and walk up to the multiplex every time you need to use it. Perhaps then you'll see how why some members of this community question the wisdom of the proposed location.
With confusion
Sharon Harding
