Lori Fabian and Nina Carpenter each provide excellent perspectives in their recent letters. Realistically, it is not a positive venture to establish an expansive residential facility within the confines of an overcrowded neighbourhood such as Akinsdale. Frankly, construction invites potentially disastrous consequences and therefore, I cannot support an unfavourable plan that poses a safety risk to members of the community.
Similarly, I do favour the Habitat for Humanity project. Indeed, it is necessary to establish an affordable living space, making St. Albert an inviting place for diverse populations of individuals to dwell. Frankly, I am quite concerned with the financial educational demands and rising costs that challenge young persons. As a parent, I am well aware of the implications of absence of affordability. However, needed housing cannot simply be permitted to arise based upon cost-effectiveness. Safety within any community must be prioritized and remain the ultimate deciding factor.
The park space at Arlington Drive has provided a haven for children in the community throughout many years. A school is located nearby as well as a neighbourhood childcare centre, which regularly employs the area to facilitate active recreational play and team sports. Clearly, middle ground must emerge wherever consideration of establishing a new housing area arises. Naturally, there is reservation and opposition to building within the confines of an already condensed, long-established and populated area. It is necessary to listen to critics because valid safety concerns cannot be denied.
At the same time, we must continue to brainstorm collectively to achieve support for a viable living area venture sufficient to carry the impact of numerous residents safely.
Velvet Martin, St. Albert
