Make an informed choice

In reference to people dressing up as people of other ethnic origins: I think one way to know if this is offensive is to be a person of the portrayed ethnic group. We can try to picture ourselves in their place but can never have their experiences. February is Black History Month. There is a wonderful display of books about the black settlers of Alberta, available for check out or perusal at the Jasper Library.

Sheila Couture,
Jasper, AB

Dog park must be saved

So the school board wants the dog park. How many times will we need to stand up and fight for the dog park? This is probably the most used greenspace in Jasper! Through winter storms and summer heat and at all times of the day, there are people using the dog park.

It would be a challenge to find a more used green space in this town.

We have only one leash free zone in this town and it is a great place to socialize your dog with people and other dogs. Most dogs need this, like humans they crave social interaction.

If the dog park is the only viable option for a new school, (which I do not believe) before it is signed over to the school board, an alternative for the dog park should be presented to the community. An alternative needs to provide the same scale and easy access for residents and visitors as the current dog park.

Val Delill,
Jasper, AB

School should sit on dog park

I’m writing in regards to the choice for the new school site. We all should stop being complacent about this issue and make our opinions known. The school board seems to be quite clear about wanting the dog park.

I feel the new school should be located at the dog park. I’m saddened and disappointed that we would allow our concern for the welfare of dogs to be greater than our children. Choosing the dog park as the new school site would allow the children to remain in school uninterrupted.

They wouldn’t have to go into portables (if there were any available). Additionally the children would avoid being bussed to Hinton, an option I find unacceptable.

Without Jasper National Park’s participation in this process, we’re not progressing at all. Let’s work toward the guarantee for the land swap that we need, by including Jasper National Park in the process. If there are details to be worked out between council and Jasper National Park, please work to get them solved soon.

This issue has been in question for far too long.

Barbara Feniak,
Jasper, AB

P.S: It’s called the Bowling Green because it used to be something else.

No need to throw out televisions

After noticing a television placed by a local garbage bin, I hope to remind people in Jasper that we have an electronics round-up during Environment Week in June. We also have a Take it or Leave event during the same week where you can bring electronics which still work. Whatever you do, please do not throw your old electronics into the dump.

Those electronics hold several valuable recyclable minerals such as tin and coltan, both of which are found in abundance in the conflict-ridden Republic of Congo. The eastern part of the Congo is currently experiencing what is being termed “the deadliest war in the world.” Rape has become the weapon of choice in this war and hundreds of thousands of women and children have met this atrocious fate. Victims are anywhere between two and 80 years of age.

Illicit trade in minerals such as tin, coltan and gold is what is driving and supporting much of the current (today, right now!) conflict. The consumption (I dare say “over-consumption”) of electronics in the First World has made these mineral prices reach record highs. This demand has motivated militias, rebels and others to capture the rich reserves and use the profits to fuel the conflict.

By recycling your old cell phones, computers and other electronic products, you’ll cut down on the need for new minerals. Lives (more than 5.4 million lost so far) depend on it.

Kim Wallace,
Jasper, AB