Dear editor:
I love this town.
It’s easy to say and easy to write…I love this town! Sure, there are things that could be different, should be different. But I could be different and maybe should be different, too. But I’m not and neither is my town.
Things that could be different could be anything really, anything I see and don’t agree with.
Like the traffic flow around town. It’s a real pain at times. Or maybe when I think about it rationally, it’s an inconvenience. Like having to wait three or five minutes at that light or train crossing. There is no way that I should have to wait that long to get to my home or my business. What has this town come to?
Then I think, OK, it’s going take me a few minutes longer to get to where I am going. But when I get there, I have travelled on good paved roads. Gone through intersections that have protected me and my family and the people walking, skateboarding or jogging. I have waved at people I know from years ago or have just met and seem like nice neighbours and friends. There were no armed men standing at the intersections with guns protecting me from military rule, idealism, religion or anything. I drove by nice shops, stores loaded with most anything I need so that I don’t have to travel to shop unless I choose to. I love this town!
Our street maintenance could be different…my, oh my, I say…this street or that street has been under ‘maintenance’ far too long for my liking. Then I subtly realize that the stuff they are repairing underground has been there far longer than I have lived here…well really, far longer than I have been alive. And there is a lot to be done underground. So, yes, another inconvenience right there. Parking in my back alley, something I’m not used to, but thank goodness there was enough forethought to put an alley behind my house. And really, that back door doesn’t get used enough and I paid good money for it. I love this town!
And…how the heck are our tax dollars being spent? Really, how can we afford to have all that we have and still need to spend so much more? I have had a great education and my kids are all well educated. We have never lacked for entertainment or sport venues. Then, as I exhale my deep sigh, I say to myself, really, my tax dollars could be spent “differently” not necessarily better. They will be spent on “we” and “us”…“Cochranites” of all ages, genders, heritage and longevity. And “we” elected seven people to make those decisions for us. Not to make “some” decisions or “certain” decisions…but to make “all” these decisions for us, based of course on their information and sources in the democratic way of the “vote”. I love this town.
So, wouldn’t it be great for “our” town if we let this “group of seven” do just that. And, wouldn’t it be great if the “group of seven” takes the fight/discussion/vote, back into council chambers where it is meant to be? After all you must’ve heard the one about how much the chambers cost us taxpayers…and the controversy…and the vote…and how it all ended…“happily ever after”?
God, I love this town!
Ivan Davies, a Cochranite since 1961
