Turns out there’s more than one supporter of free speech in Jasper. Is that surprising? Absolutely not.

After writing in last week’s issue about the value of freedom of speech, the Fitzhugh received a number of accolades from readers.

We love to hear your support, and would love even more to print it.

Let’s show our solidarity. Write in to the Fitzhugh on the topic of free speech.

All it takes is a quick email or a letter, with a sentence or two about why backroom coaxing and concealed dealings won’t be stood for in this town, why no words should be muffled and no opinion struck down.

A stronghold of support for freedom of speech can raise up even the smallest voice. 

Looking through the lens

With the approval of its 2009 budget, the Town of Hinton has announced it will purchase security cameras and install them in public spaces, an option considered in Jasper as a solution to the late-night noise and vandalism on Patricia Street rampant in the busy summer months.

The decision is based on a community consultation, during which Hinton learned that residents were interested in installing surveillance cameras as a way to deter crime.

There are arguments for and against security cameras. They’ve been installed in a number of places, yet some statistics allegedly prove their ineffectiveness. Perhaps this is the reason security cameras were one of few topics Jasper town council couldn’t agree on.

Whether cameras are the right option or not, at least Hinton is doing something. Jasper has nothing to show for the ideas and proposals that came out of exhaustive public consultations held last summer, save a youth newsletter which is proving to be less and less hope-inspiring as time goes on.

In Hinton, the funding is coming out of revenue from photo radar traffic enforcement.

Theoretically, the one-time expense of installing photo radar will lead to funding for ongoing projects in the Town of Hinton. Cameras don’t solve the problem? Who cares, more money’s on its way and they can always try something else.

Maybe it’s time Jasper actually did something about an ongoing problem that is the bane of this town’s existence.

The town of Jasper should stop asking the general public for advice, and instead seek out experts to come up with concrete, plausible options.

Hinton is finding ways to move forward, while Jasper seems to get left behind in the dust.