I’ve been following the transit debate with great interest and very much look forward to reading the task force’s final report as I believe the progress report left a lot unanswered questions and created many more. I personally will never use this service as I work in Calgary and with four kids a trip to the grocery store or a doctor's appointment requires a lot of cargo space, but that’s not to say others won’t . I am concerned about the “true” costs of this service to the taxpayers .The best case scenario is a $56 operational taxpayer liability yearly . Which would only increase with the service . It’s also fair to note that the “grants” aren’t free money , they are taxpayer money as well . If construction does start we are “all in” so to speak, as the green trip money is dependent on completion by a set date. So any cost over runs or extras will have to be eaten just to get the grant . And as we saw with the pool these things do tend to go over budget often . The thought that people in the outer communities (hill people as I affectionately call them) will use the shuttle as part of their regional commute is laughable. I can’t see many people in the middle of winter paying to take the shuttle into downtown Cochrane to then pay to take the bus into downtown Calgary and do the same after work ? But I may be wrong and am willing to keep an open mind until the final report comes out What has me the most concerned is the tone this issue is taking on council. From my understanding a task force is set up to research and bring options to the elected officials to debate. Being on the task force isn’t a ticket to pass what you want. Couns. Alex Reed, Marni Fedeyko and Morgan Nagel are just doing what they were elected to do (ask questions) . Coun. McFadden and the Mayor's statements of being offended due to the questions are polarizing and unfortunate. Your opinions and work are not above debate or criticism. So if you’re offended – too bad. Also the Mayor's attestation that Cochrane has been asking for transit for 15 years is misleading. Yes, groups have been asking for transit but the idea has always failed at vote time. I believe last time some councillors even started a popular petition for a plebiscite in a bid to stop it . The Mayor should be mindful of that and more careful with his comment . Coun. Susan Flowers annoyed comment at the meeting that “now isn’t the time for new ideas“ is ludicrous. This is the first time the task force has appeared before council . So now is most definitely the time for all ideas. It is amusing that this councillor also once brought forward a motion to limit the number of ideas councillors are allowed to have per year. It seems to me the only ideas that Coun. Flowers is interested in discussing are her own . With the potential financial burden being held over the taxpayer (remember we also have the pool overruns, union contracts up for negotiation, town employees cost of living increase and the new RCMP building to pay for at budget time) we cannot rush this. It has the scent of “pet project and boondoggle” all over it. We really need to ask if we can afford this not just if we want it. I’m optimistic for the next council meeting but with the adversarial comments, emotion and ideology driving this issue I’m beginning to think this has gone beyond council's ability and may need to go to a town-wide vote considering the impact it will have on all of us. But I’m hopeful this issue will be debated honestly and fairly next time it appears before council because Monday’s debate left much to be desired . Phil Cape
