Dear Editor,
As you are all aware, there was a town hall meeting in our community last night to discuss the current state of affairs at the intersection of highway 11 and 781.
There was an overwhelming show of support for the efforts of our MLA Kerry Towle to have the voices of the taxpayers of Sylvan Lake and her constituents heard. From what I understand she has approached our mayor and town council, the Minister of Transportation, Alberta Transportation, and our Premier, to pass on the many messages and letters of concern from her constituents regarding the current state of the highway accesses into and out of Sylvan Lake.
What is most disturbing to me is that there was not one representative of our municipal council in attendance. Why is that? Are you simply so ashamed of the decisions that you have made regarding this intersection? Or are you simply too arrogant to admit a mistake has been made? Have you forgotten that you were voted in to represent the taxpayers of the Town of Sylvan Lake, not your own individual interests?
From what I understand the grand ‘plan’ for the freeway is 15-20 years down the road. Surely we can come up with a temporary solution until that time, be it lights, a roundabout, a four way stop, lower speed limits, whatever it takes. As it is today it is only a matter of time until that beautiful display of barricades causes a major accident and more loss of life. Is that what it will take for you to pay attention? First step, remove the barricades.
It’s past time you started listening to the residents and taxpayers of your community, and to lobby on our behalf to the Minister of Transportation, Alberta Transportation and our Premier, to reopen that intersection and find a timely and efficient solution to improve the safety.
I don’t buy the argument that it is done and cannot be undone. Decisions are made and reversed every day. You are all very well aware of the many concerns there are with this issue.
It’s time you pull your heads out of the sand, swallow your pride, admit you make a mistake, and do the right thing. Be our voice, that’s what you were voted in to do. This issue is not going away, do the right thing!
Shari Britton,
Sylvan Lake
This letter was also sent to Sylvan Lake’s mayor and councillors, MLA Kerry Towle, Minister of Transportation Ric McIver and Premier Alison Redford.