Park for preservation not human expansion
Dear Editor,
I just read your editorial “The Time to Build is Now” and knew I would see this sooner or later. Have we not forgotten that the town of Jasper is located in a national park? In reality and under ideal conditions, the town shouldn’t be here anyway, but since it is, let’s keep it this size.
New housing means, new facilities and infrastructure, new stores and Jasper can certainly do without these.
If people cannot find a place to live, it may be necessary for them to live outside the park and be shuttled in. The park is all about protection of valued wildlife and wildlife habitat, not human expansion. We do not want another Banff. Jasper is not in a crisis, it is where it should be.
I see no need for Jasper to change its policies for population growth in the name of big business. New growth means more drugs and alcohol abuse. It means more wildlife destroyed due to people walking dogs without leashes or leaving their gardens and fruit trees unattended, forcing Parks to shoot more bears. It means more bikers, joggers, garbage and dog crap on the trails.
I congratulate Parks Canada for keeping the rental vacancy rate at zero over the last 10 years.
Randy Smith
Jasper, Alta.
Looking for innovative ideas
Dear Editor,
There has always been a housing crisis in Jasper. People have lived in garages in back yards. Undeveloped basements have been home to some people. Requirements have been put in place to help relieve the situation: new retail buildings have to supply accommodation for their staff; moratorium on new businesses; the need to reside clause.
Our town has fixed boundaries, which is very appropriate in a national park. The demand for housing keeps increasing. New housing does not seem to make a dent. What other innovative ideas are there to help with this situation?
Sheila Couture
Jasper, Alta.
