12 September 2010
☚ Click Left For Municipal Election Forum
18/09/2010 05:08
Open Letter To St. Albert Gazette President Duff Jamison
You'll be more familiar than I with Ben Franklin's advice: "Never argue with a man who buys his ink by the barrel.”
The St. Albert Taxpayers Association was not formed to foment taxpayers' unrest. Rather, it was formed to give voice to a community-wide belief that residential taxpayers are being hosed, to put it mildly, both in terms of ever-increasing residential taxes, and in terms of dwindling quality of meat-and-potatoes services (pedestrian and cyclists' safety, for example). And this despite lavish and ill-advised spending by City Hall on projects of scant value to us.
One of your editorials' themes was: "DARP isn't a dirty word." I'll disagree with that another time.
Your editorial of August 28th fired both barrels at the Taxpayers Association for having held the second of two mini-forums to give exposure to new mayoral and council candidates. For almost all voters, this was the first opportunity to "kick the tires" on new candidates. Conversely, we voters have all had the opportunity something like forty times a year for the last three years to watch (and form an opinion) on all incumbent candidates in action.
So, Mr. Jamison, where in the world is that considered biased/unfair?
Next, Mr. Jamison, you're right on: Most issues raised - DARP, solid waste, Riel Park, Arlington Drive - have already been soundly denounced by the Taxpayers Association in council chambers. "Eh ... you forgot "Smart Growth”, Mr. Jamison.
I and some of my fellow citizens, Mr. Jamison, would have been disappointed had the Taxpayers Association not "soundly denounced" them all. See "lavish and ill-advised spending" above.
You go on, as have several others similarly in your Gazette, with "That takes the organization (Taxpayers Association) beyond advocacy and into the realm of agenda-setting special interest, which it's been so vehemently against." Where in the world, Mr. Jamison, are residential taxpayers from whom comes 90% of all taxes collected, and who represent over 95% of all voters: a "special interest"?
Sir: we are the interest!
The Gazette is a special interest, the Chamber of Commerce of which you are past president is a special interest, and the Arts & Heritage Foundation which claimed you as a trustee in 2009 is a special interest.
We see ourselves being pushed ever further from the trough by special interest. And our "inexhaustible" patience (which may be our greatest weakness) is reaching a point of exhaustion.
It is that, sir, to which the Taxpayers Association gives voice.
In closing I might add, that I do not hold any position with the Taxpayers Association, but am concerned as to how this city has been directed over the past ten years.
G.E. Proulx
St. Albert
SINC SAYS:
St. Albert’s Place received a copy of this letter sent via email to the St. Albert Gazette yesterday.
The Things that People Send Us
Why would anyone want one of these?
I suppose this could be referred to as the ‘throne’ pit?
Welcome To Live Chat
18/09/2010 05:08
WEBBITS
18/09/2010 05:08
Want A Burger With A Bite Out Of It?
18/09/2010 05:08
I assume the answer to that question is no, thanks anyway.
But that is exactly what one customer got when he ordered an angus burger at his local golden arches.
I don’t know what I would do if I got one, but I’m pretty sure it would involve heaving.
How about you?
Ice Cream Ad Banned In UK
18/09/2010 05:08
An ad banned in the UK had a strange twist.
Who would think an ice cream ad could be offensive in any way?
But the creators of this ad took certain liberties and wound up with the ban.
It involved the ice cream, a church and a nun.
Now how could that be offensive?
The Placebo Effect At Work For Women
18/09/2010 05:08
Lots of women appear to lose their sex drive after the age of 35.
Not much new about that.
But can their sex drive be revived with a placebo pill?
Apparently the answer is yes.
A recent study shows just that happening.
☚ Click Left For Municipal Election Forum
17/09/2010 04:22
St. Albert Residents File Legal Action
Over Proposed Sale of Reserve Land
St. Albert - A number of St. Albert residents have filed a Statement of Claim with the Alberta Court of Queen’s Bench against the City of St. Albert and the St. Albert Protestant Separate School Division No. 6. The Claim is the result of the residents’ unsuccessful attempts to get answers from both parties as to the status of the land located at 70 Arlington Drive.
The residents have evidence to support their claim that the property should be considered Reserve land under the Municipal Government Act. If this is the case, then the City of St. Albert would not be entitled to rezone the land for residential use and the St. Albert Protestant Separate School Division would not be entitled to proceed with the proposed sale of the land to a developer. If the land is not going to be used to build a school or for school purposes the land would have to be transferred back to the City.
“The School Board was given the property for $1 back in the 70’s for them to build a school. I know, I have lived beside the property for over 35 years. Now they want to sell the property for more than $840,000. This property was intended to be a School Reserve for the use of our children, not for medium density residential development.” said Dave Evans.
“The City and the St. Albert Protestant Separate School Division are breaching their statutory duties under the Municipal Government Act by selling the property to a third party and rezoning the land to accommodate the sale. The City and the taxpayers of St. Albert will suffer a loss by allowing the School Division to profit from this land.” said Gerald Kress.
The Province is giving $720,000 to the City of St. Albert to give to a third party, which intends to purchase the land from the St. Albert Protestant Separate School Division for $840,000 and develop affordable housing. The balance of the purchase price will be covered by the taxpayers of St. Albert.
“I can’t understand why the City of St. Albert is not exercising their right to obtain the land back from the School Division for a dollar and use the $840,000 to actually develop housing for the less fortunate.” said John Richards. “Taxpayers not only from St. Albert, but from the rest of the Province should be concerned that tax money intended for affordable housing is being used to subsidize the St. Albert Protestant School Division.”
A public hearing is scheduled for September 20th at City Hall in St. Albert. Council will consider public input before they finalize the rezoning and approve the development permit, which would allow the School Division to sell the property. If you would like to speak at the hearing you can register by calling (780) 459-1500.
Inquiries may be directed to:
Gerald Kress
(780) 984-5176
gerrykress@hotmail.com
SINC SAYS:
Well folks, the city appears to have played with fire long enough to raise the hackles of taxpayers who are sick to death of this city council, accusing them of being completely out of touch with, and indifferent to the concerns of local citizens by pursuing their own agenda. It is also rumoured that local residents are about to launch a massive public campaign aimed at ousting this mayor and council in the upcoming civic election. If that turns out to be the case, we wish them nothing but luck. “Cultivate Life” indeed.
Scare At Commonwealth
Stadium
Initially the CFL team thought it was a prank!
Training was immediately suspended, while police and security officials were called to investigate.
After a complete analysis, police experts determined that the white substance, unfamiliar to most of the players, was in fact, the goal line.
Practice resumed after police and security decided the team was unlikely to encounter the substance again.
Welcome To Live Chat
17/09/2010 04:22
WEBBITS
17/09/2010 04:22
Family Fundraiser Goes Tomorrow Night
17/09/2010 04:22
A Reminder To Help By Attending
Fundraiser
Hi, my name is Suzanne Muller and I would appreciate your attention for this cause.
Todd Kemps is a 48-year-old long time resident of St. Albert, a husband to an amazing woman and father to five school aged children, one with special needs. Just over two week ago his world was suddenly turned upside down with the tragic diagnosis of terminal pancreatic cancer.
I realize times are tough but as a community, St. Albert has always held the highest reputation for helping others. Please find it in your hearts to reach out and help this amazing family.
Todd and Noelle's friends have banded together to try and make his life a little easier in this terrible circumstance. We would like to lighten the burden of his financial responsibilities, so he can focus on his family and fighting this illness. Friends, family and the people in the community that have had their lives touched by Todd are invited to help raise money for this incredible family.
How can you help?
We are having a “Celebrate Life” Fundraiser for Todd on Saturday, September 18th, 7:00 p.m. at the St. Albert Parish basement hall. There will be live music with a headlining, amazing blues/rock band! As well, there will be a cash bar and silent auction items. We are taking financial donations either by cash, or cheque payable to Todd Kemps. Please note this is an adults only fundraiser. No minors allowed. Come join us!
If you can't join us for this event, and still wish to make a donation:
1) We have set up an account at the Servus Credit Union (on St. Albert Trail) under the name Todd Kemps, where you may make a donation.
2) Contribute through Pay Pal (on the internet) using the address skmuller@hotmail.com
We are also looking for gift certificates and silent auction items.
Please feel free to call with any questions or donations to Danielle Pawlychka (780) 458-0841 or Suzanne Muller (780) 939-3098.
Thank you!
Sincerely,
Suzanne Muller
St. Albert
SINC SAYS:
That is indeed tough news Suzanne. We wish your friend the very best and hope SAP readers will be generous to your cause.
Hi, my name is Suzanne Muller and I would appreciate your attention for this cause.
Todd Kemps is a 48-year-old long time resident of St. Albert, a husband to an amazing woman and father to five school aged children, one with special needs. Just over two week ago his world was suddenly turned upside down with the tragic diagnosis of terminal pancreatic cancer.
I realize times are tough but as a community, St. Albert has always held the highest reputation for helping others. Please find it in your hearts to reach out and help this amazing family.
Todd and Noelle's friends have banded together to try and make his life a little easier in this terrible circumstance. We would like to lighten the burden of his financial responsibilities, so he can focus on his family and fighting this illness. Friends, family and the people in the community that have had their lives touched by Todd are invited to help raise money for this incredible family.
How can you help?
We are having a “Celebrate Life” Fundraiser for Todd on Saturday, September 18th, 7:00 p.m. at the St. Albert Parish basement hall. There will be live music with a headlining, amazing blues/rock band! As well, there will be a cash bar and silent auction items. We are taking financial donations either by cash, or cheque payable to Todd Kemps. Please note this is an adults only fundraiser. No minors allowed. Come join us!
If you can't join us for this event, and still wish to make a donation:
1) We have set up an account at the Servus Credit Union (on St. Albert Trail) under the name Todd Kemps, where you may make a donation.
2) Contribute through Pay Pal (on the internet) using the address skmuller@hotmail.com
We are also looking for gift certificates and silent auction items.
Please feel free to call with any questions or donations to Danielle Pawlychka (780) 458-0841 or Suzanne Muller (780) 939-3098.
Thank you!
Sincerely,
Suzanne Muller
St. Albert
SINC SAYS:
That is indeed tough news Suzanne. We wish your friend the very best and hope SAP readers will be generous to your cause.
Realtor Shows Home And Owner Too
17/09/2010 04:22
There is nothing new about a realtor showing a home for sale.
It happens all the time.
In most cases, the realtor will ask the home owner to leave the premises while the home is being showed.
For some reason, realtors seem to prefer the owners absence.
But a realtor in the UK, when the home owner was still home at the appointed viewing time, went ahead with the showing.
Turned out it was indeed “a viewing”.
Amazing Places
17/09/2010 04:22
Speaking In Tongues Continuing UK Issue
17/09/2010 04:22
We told you here a while back about a woman who got up one morning and spoke with a foreign accent.
Well, it has happened again the the UK.
This time a granny had a migraine and went to bed.
She woke up speaking with a French accent.
Now here family doesn’t recognize her voice.
Why is that?
☚ Click Left For Municipal Election Forum
16/09/2010 05:21
Side By Side With A Twist
If you are a fan of that old song favourite “Side By Side”, you’ll get a kick out of this version.
The Things Our Readers Send Us
Extreme Watermelon Carving . . .
Welcome To Live Chat
16/09/2010 05:21
WEBBITS
16/09/2010 05:21
Inside the Popemobile:
16/09/2010 05:21
Glimpse of the holy customized Merc that will transport Benedict XVI around the UK
No papal tour would be complete without the sight of a Popemobile.
Yesterday saw the unveiling of the official vehicle to be used on Pope Benedict XVI's first official visit to the UK.
The Popemobile is a media-coined nickname for the specially customized motor vehicles used by the Pope during outdoor public appearances.
Entire story here.
A Break-In With A Difference
16/09/2010 05:21
A shadowy figure was lurking around a house in the middle of the night.
A person called the police when they saw him.
He was dressed in camouflage and acting suspiciously.
The cops caught him and called the home owner.
She came rushing home to see if he had stolen anything.
That’s when the cops surprised her.
Are You A Swimmer? Better Pay Attention To This
16/09/2010 05:21
I know a couple of folks who swim for exercise.
Swimming has long been touted as a complete exercise.
But now a study in Spain has brought out some disturbing news.
It seems that swimming in chlorinated water puts you at risk.
For what you ask?
☚ Click Left For Municipal Election Forum
15/09/2010 01:08
Reader Bits ’N Pieces
It has been obvious for some time now that Rick Lalacheur does not know much about football or the Eskimos.
Now it’s obvious he and his board have no core values with the hiring of a sex offender as GM.
My over 20 year season tickets are now toast and I intend to ask for a refund. Good riddance until both of them are gone from the Eskies.
Peed Off
St. Albert
SINC SAYS:
No argument there PO. The vast majority feel the very same way. Check this out.
______________________
Don,
Re: The Sad State Of This Year’s Tomato Crop.
Maybe we’re just lucky, but our tomatoes did extremely well again this year. My brother was very vigilant in watering, fertilizing and trimming excess foliage from them and they were individually potted and placed in a location where they got lots of sun (south side of the house). We got 10 boxes of tomatoes off just 12 plants. They’re delicious and they’re all very healthy and down in the basement ripening as we speak.
Cheers,
Jim Starko
St. Albert
SINC SAYS:
Good for you and Bob, Jim. Enjoy those red beauties. Apparently some folks did have bumper crops.
_________________
I have often wondered if the groups named on the signs along the highway really do go out and care for their section
Well . . . . today for the first time since the signs appeared years ago, I saw a group at work (of course did not have camera), the St. Albert Host Lions were out this afternoon.
Geordie
St. Albert
SINC SAYS:
Good for them Geordie. And good on you for writing to let everyone know of their activities making our highways look clean.
_____________________
Don,
After reading more of his posts, I am now firmly convinced that that Bulldozerking is not exactly playing will a full deck. He should run for Council again! This time, he’d probably win.
Just Sayin’
St. Albert
SINC SAYS:
Well, Just, it takes all kinds to make a world, but he does tend to post an awful lot, doesn’t he?
__________________________
Hi,
Don:
"Lies, dam' lies ... and statistics": here's more:
Amherstburg's population, last counted in 2006, looks
to be well under 25,000.
It looks as though seniors have got out while the
getting was good. Only roughly 17% are over
sixty.
See this.
Deane Doucette
St. Albert
SINC
SAYS:
Now, now Deane. Don’t be giving seniors any ideas.
Cartoons
to Brighten Your Day
Welcome To Live Chat
15/09/2010 01:08
WEBBITS
15/09/2010 01:07
Will 3-D Illusions Change Driver’s Attitudes?
15/09/2010 01:07
Regular readers will recall the British guy we have featured here many times who uses chalk to create 3-D images on sidewalks.
Now a Canadian safety group based in BC want to use the same slight of hand to slow drivers down in school zones.
They are creating images of children playing right on the roadway what will “pop up” as drivers make their approach.
But will it work?
Frustration Surfaces On Live Radio Show
15/09/2010 01:07
Every news reporting outlet, be it TV, radio or newspapers have slow news days.
They can be a real frustrating experience for editors when nothing significant happens to produce a good lead story.
But journalists have learned to tough their way through those kinds of days in spite of it all.
Except for this journalist.
Woman Regenerates Missing Finger Tip
15/09/2010 01:07
In a move that defied doctors opinions, an American woman has grown back the tip of her finger.
She lost her pinky when it was slammed in a door.
It took off the entire tip including the fingernail.
She wanted the doc to try and reattach it, but he said he could not do it.
So she grew it back.
☚ Click Left For Municipal Election Forum
14/09/2010 06:22
The Sad State Of This Year’s Tomato Crop
Tomato growing is an enjoyable and absorbing hobby. The "sweet spots" (when everything is working perfectly) are rare, while challenges needing correction are abundant. As every grower will agree.
Last month's challenge was "late blight" (I guess), caused by Phytophthora infestans. The rotting mess I was left with reminded me of Shakespeare: "bare ruin'd choirs, where late the sweet birds sang" =-O
.
It left some questions. Most of the advice offered locally seems to be mistakenly taken from warmer climes where P.i. can survive outdoors and not appropriate for Alberta.
So on Friday, I wrote to a provincial expert as follows.
"I'm a St. Albert hobby gardener (specialty: tomatoes). I grow tomatoes on a large compost heap in my backyard, and in large pots on a concrete slab in my south-facing front yard.
Phytophthora infestans (P.i.) I presume, took three weeks in late August to destroy the tomato plants on my compost heap. And my potted plants (while looking healthy) are stunted, not yet head-height compared with the usual three to four metres. The fruit looks healthy, but small.
I'd be grateful to be told where I can read answers to the following (an FAQ would be nice):
1. Is Phytophthora infestans killed by exposure to Alberta "normal" winter temperatures?
2. Is plant stunting another manifestation of Phytophthora infestans?
3. Should one suspect that seed saved from infected fruit when germinated will infect new plants?
4. What fungicidal regimen is recommended next time we get such a wet summer as this one has been?"
And the reply received this morning follows:
Deane,
I will try to answer your questions as much as I can.
1) Phytophthora infestans should be killed by Alberta winters, as it won't survive off of living host material. So, if the host material (e.g. plant parts, tubers, fruit, etc) are killed by the cold and are frozen, it should be finished. Plant material must freeze to be killed off. Material that is in piles that doesn't freeze may regrow next year and cause issues. Plant material that isn't frozen can grow and potentially produce infective material the next year.
2) I am not aware of plant stunting being linked to late blight. More typical symptoms include foliar lesions and decay, or tuber or fruit rot. Probably something else is at the cause. It has been a poor growing season, with relatively little heat, a late spring and cool, damp conditions.
3) From what I have read, tomato seed should not be considered a source for future introduction, however an infected tomato would be better to be disposed of, to be safe. It's quality would be pretty questionable, anyway.
4) For home gardeners, the selection of available chemicals is limited. There are some registered domestic use products, mostly copper-based fungicides that would provide very limited protectant control, but for the most part, early detection and roguing (removing suspect plants) would be the best route to take. Watching the weather conditions is helpful, as it the disease thrives under cool, wet/damp conditions. Fungicides have to be re-applied regularly in order to protect new growth."
Interesting reference to copper. My grandfather's weapon-of-choice in the 1940s was "Paris Green”, effective on insects, rodents, fungi, and unloved spouses.
Don, I hope this may be helpful to your readers. It answers all my concerns but one: saved tomato seeds.
From what I've learned so far, P.i. survives in living tissue, as well as on. So I'm going to take the cowards' way: after saving and drying my tomato seeds, they're going to winter outdoors.
Sincerely,
Deane Doucette,
Grandin
SINC SAYS:
Thanks for all the information Deane. I wondered why my potted tomato plants did so poorly this season.
Hardly Worth My Time Telling My Story
After sitting there for a while, he yells to the waiter, "Hey, you wanna hear a blonde joke?"
The bar immediately falls absolutely silent. In a very deep, husky voice, the woman next to him says, "Before you tell that joke, Cowboy, I think it is only fair, considering that you are blind, that you should know five things:
1. The bartender is a blonde girl with a baseball bat.
2. The bouncer is a blonde girl.
3. I'm a 6-foot tall, 175-pound blonde woman with a black belt in karate.
4. The woman sitting next to me is blonde and a professional weightlifter.
5. The lady to your right is blonde and a professional wrestler.
Now, think about it seriously, Mister. Do you still wanna tell that joke?"
The blind cowboy thinks for a second, shakes his head, and mutters, "No, not if I'm gonna have to explain it five times."
Welcome To Live Chat
14/09/2010 06:22
WEBBITS
14/09/2010 06:21
The World’s Most Expensive Cheese Sandwich
14/09/2010 06:21
I downed a grilled cheese sandwich or two in my day, but this one is ridiculous.
A British chef has come up with a cheese sandwich that sells for £110.
You see, it has a lot of truffles and stuff mixed in there with the cheese.
And just to be sure it costs more . . .
They sprinkle it with gold dust.
These Melons Need A Lot Of Support
14/09/2010 06:21
A lady farmer in the UK has decided to grow watermelons in her greenhouse.
That’s all well and good, but they are so heavy, they keep falling off the vines and getting damaged.
Oh what to do?
I know she said and began asking her lady customers for their old bras.
Now those melons have all the support they need.
Small cup sizes need not apply.
Mowing the Lawn With Panache!
14/09/2010 06:21
If you won a lawn service company, you tend to keep the fertilizer handy.
And if you want to propose to your girl friend, you have an idea how to make it work.
You spell out the question with the fertilizer on the lawn and wait for it to grow faster than the rest.
Then you hope she can see it.
☚ Click Left For Municipal Election Forum
13/09/2010 03:08
Can You Assist In A Search For Information?
SINC SAYS:
I got the following note from an interested reader who wishes to remain anonymous. He is seeking information on a local man listed above, who died in 1972. If you can provide any more details than available online, please email me and I will put you in touch with the reader. It would not surprise me if some of our readers might be able to help
Hi Don,
I got your name from Alison Glass.
I'm trying to track down a man named Alphonse Lacasse -- here's a little note about it:
Alison photographed a gravesite with his name in St. Albert, Alberta, born 1896, died 1972. If it's not him, he may very well have a family member named after him who's still alive.
Here’s the link.
Anyway, I'm interested in finding out what you might know… As Alison says, you "just might know someone who knows someone who knows something."
Husband Down In Aisle Four
The husband picks up a case of Budweiser and puts it in their cart.
'What do you think you're doing?' asks the wife.
'They're on sale, only $10 for 24 cans he replies.
'Put them back, we can't afford them demands the wife, and so they carry on shopping.
A few aisles further on along the woman picks up a $20 jar of face cream and puts it in the basket.
What do you think you're doing?' asks the husband.
'It’s my face cream. It makes me look beautiful,' replies the wife.
Her husband retorts: 'So does 24 cans of Budweiser for half the price.’
Welcome To Live Chat
13/09/2010 03:08
WEBBITS
13/09/2010 03:08
The Right to Garden In the Nude?
13/09/2010 03:08
A man in the UK liked to do his gardening in the buff.
So he built a high fence around his garden and has been happily gardening for many long years now.
But now he’s in trouble, or he thinks he might be, that is.
You see, they want to build a high rise beside his garden.
So his neighbours can get a really good view.
Playing Tomorrow Night At LB's Pub
13/09/2010 03:08
Neil Van Dijk
and Paul Finn
Paul - is a respected blues musician who worked diligently in Calgary promoting the blues through his playing and hosting of the renowned King Edward blues jam. Also the called upon player when the bigger blues names hit town in need of local backup players. His blues guitar is a true to heart blues style with a really cool tone in his sound. Paul is first and foremost a very respected bass player, getting invites from some of Edmonton’s top notch blues musicians, as a fill in. He will come out as our frontman guitarist vocalist on this night.
Neil - St. Albert native since the mid seventies bass player, guitarist, Neil and I have been playing together as friends and experimental musicians since then. We worked together in a trio with Dale Collins and always had a knack to create and just jam. Never playing a song the same as the record always gave us a distinct feel and sound. We worked on a lot of originals with different people. We jammed with in St. Albert and Neil was the schooled genius out of us all. He took to the road for a few years with a cover act when he was very young and has been an original member of the famed band ‘the Tomatoes’ who are renowned in St. Albert for the past 25 years. Neil is also co-hosting the saturday Molsons jam at LB's every Saturday afternoon from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. as the house bassist. This guy can sit in with anyone in the world on stage I believe.
Ammars Moosehead Tuesday Open Stage
Every Tuesday night from 9:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m.
Hosted by Mark Ammar
Moosehead Beer Specials
Sponsored by Moosehead Beer
Sometimes We’re Our Own Worst Enemy
13/09/2010 03:08
There are times when we humans are our own worst enemies.
Take the case of the priceless artwork in Rome.
Specifically in the Sistine Chapel.
So many tourists visit that it actually changes the climate inside the building.
And that causes deterioration of said artwork.
So, how do we fix it?
Some Days The Headline Says It All
13/09/2010 03:08
Every so often you come across a headline that belies belief.
Such was the case with this tale about a rather delicate subject being studied by a university.
You see, a firm was trying to sell sex toys, but women weren’t responding to party invites.
So they masqueraded the party as a ‘Tupperware’ party and tried their luck again.
What headline you ask?
“Sex toy study creates buzz.”
☚ Click Left For Municipal Election Forum
12/09/2010 07:08
Food For Thought On 70 Arlington
Like many, when my wife and I purchased my first home in St. Albert in 1974, we purchased it because it was affordable and, even so, we had to scrape up every cent we could to provide a down payment for the house. At that time St. Albert’s taxes and service costs were reasonable.
St. Albert during the 1970s and earlier was clearly a working class city, the expensive subdivisions came later. One of the main reasons that we chose St. Albert over Edmonton and other locations was because of St. Albert’s attractive use of abundant green-space.
Over the years as the taxes and cost of services increased very dramatically, we never complained since we considered St. Albert an attractive city to live in. Now we find that the major asset that makes St. Albert unique will no longer be an asset. The majority of Council now believes that the density of established communities needs to be increased significantly.
Alfred Nikolai states that the 70 Arlington project will take about $6,000,000 to complete and Habitat for Humanity will be depending on donations from St. Albert to provide the necessary funds. When you add in the $840,000 for the property, the cost of each of the 34 units to build will be about $202,000. They won’t come cheap! The problem is that the $6,000,000 in donations will have to come out of St. Albert’s charitable contributions.
Councillor Bracko states that this project will save 34 of St. Albert’s young families, and seniors, from having to re-locate to Edmonton. Obviously a tragedy that is much more serious than the over 1,000,000 people displaced in Pakistan or the homeless multitudes in Haiti. I can not help but wonder how many thousands of homes could be built in either country with the $6,840,000. Edmonton’s Habitat project of 47 units will take three years to complete. Edmonton has 10 times the residential population and 100 times the commercial and industrial base to support each of its Habitat units than St. Albert has.
What happens if the donations are not forthcoming? Will this project take 30 years or more to complete, if ever? To-date, Habitat has built about 300 homes in New Orleans; it was primarily this effort and the support of Jimmy Carter that resulted in millions of dollars in donations to Habitat. However, in 2005, Habitat ousted its founders Millard and Linda Fuller. The end result was that Habitat moved away from its Christian roots to a more corporate environment with a greater emphasis on sustainability.
This is why we are now seeing large projects being proposed in areas that do not have any devastation or economic depression because these areas, such as Toronto and Edmonton, can afford to pay for such projects and thus the initial investment will be easily recovered.
Think about it, between Edmonton and St. Albert’s major projects, Habitat will build 81 units in the Edmonton area without a single hurricane or earthquake. Amazing!
Dave Evans
St. Albert
SINC SAYS:
Wow Dave, you sure have given some food for thought on this subject.
Talk About Your Bad Angle Photo!
Welcome To Live Chat
12/09/2010 07:08
WEBBITS
12/09/2010 07:08
FarmVille Creators Accused Of Shady Practices
12/09/2010 07:08
If you’re one of the folks hooked on the game FarmVille on Facebook, you might want to reassess your support of that game.
It would appear that some ex-employees are very concerned about certain practices by the folks who own it.
You may in fact be supporting some shady characters.
But don’t mind me, keep playing.
Do They Come Any Dumber Than This?
12/09/2010 07:08
A young woman in Florida was lost and needed directions.
So she pulled over to the side of the road and waited.
When she saw a police car, she flagged the officer down for directions.
All sound normal enough, right?
But she forgot she had a crack pipe on the dash, cocaine in the car and she didn’t have a license.
You can guess what happened next.
No word on if she was a blonde.
World’s Largest Breast Implants Removed
12/09/2010 07:08
Ever heard the expression, “do or die”?
That’s what it boiled down to for a woman we told you about a few months back who had breast implants put in.
She had the surgery done in Brazil and returned home to the U.S., only find find she had an infection.
It was her or them in the end, and they lost.
Just how big were they again?
