Re: “Higher-earning families part of St. Albert’s appeal,” by Chris and Karleena Perry, Gazette, April 3. To say that I was disgusted by the letter is an understatement.
To say the things you said in your letter to the editor clearly shows that you have your head in the sand. I have lived in St. Albert since I was seven years old and my parents were only of middle-class income, but I can assure you that I was never a part of a gang or involved with drugs. To be honest with you, the kids that I remember being the biggest problems were those of privilege and as they got older it only became worse. I can recall people my age being arrested for drugs whose parents were higher income, because they had the money to buy the drugs and the parents were too busy keeping up with the Joneses that they neglected to make time for their kids. I grew up playing sports in St. Albert and I can assure you that I was not a financial burden to any of the other families and my parents still have long time friendships with most of them.
Your pompous attitude puts all of the residents of St. Albert in a bad light. For you to say that your children are better than those who will occupy the affordable housing project is absolutely ridiculous. The only reason that kids of these developments would not be accepted by other children is because of the biases of ignorant people who value money over anything else. How youth behave is a direct result of how involved their parents are in their lives, plain and simple.
The conclusion I have made after reading the many letters and articles regarding this issue is that citizens fear the unknown. I welcome people to come and have the same great experiences I enjoyed growing up in St. Albert. I believe that St. Albert is a wonderful city and I hope my own children will raise my grandchildren here one day regardless of their financial status.
Chris Findlay, St. Albert
