Re: ‘Higher-income families part of St. Albert’s appeal,’ Gazette, April 3.
Was Mr. and Mrs. Perry’s letter some form of sick April Fool’s joke? If the Perrys are a typical St. Albert family or they represent the values our city/society stands for, we have a problem bigger than any of those they list in their letter. If the views expressed in the published letter are true, these people are incredibly selfish, not to mention naive about the world around them.
While I am sure they can quote facts and figures that ‘support’ their claims on crime, etc. I would like to remind them of an old adage that certainly applies in this case: “There are lies, damn lies and then there are statistics.” Running away from those who are less fortunate does not eliminate crime, nor does it mean your children will have a better childhood or life. It does guarantee you and your family will not live a full and meaningful existence.
If this letter is not a sick joke, I suggest the Perrys frame their letter and hang it proudly in the entry of their home. This will document bigotry as their core family value for all who enter their not so humble abode. I am confident that with time their treasured and sheltered children will see who their parents really are and will be embarrassed. If the Perry children are lucky, they will learn from someone in their lives that there is more to a person than the size of their paycheque. Perhaps they will teach their parents what living is really about.
Finally, I feel sorry for the Perrys. If the opinions expressed in their letter are truly what they believe, they are turning their backs on the most rewarding part of anyone’s life — helping and supporting others. I hope the Perrys are never in need and do not fall on misfortune — they will clearly be too proud to ask for help.
Jonathan Veinot, St. Albert
