Dear Editor,
I am writing today about the very upsetting news that Shell Canada is planning to close the Jasper Shell Station, which has faithfully served our community since 1936.
Rather than planning to close this valuable business, I think Shell should be planning to upgrade this facility by providing diesel fuel, as well as gasoline. It is my understanding that bus tours often have a great deal of difficulty in fueling their buses here. Surely this added service would attract more business, and remember that diesel fuel use is growing in popularity. Also, let’s not forget that the Shell gas station is the only main street garage that provides mechanic services, which just happen to be of a very high standard, indeed. We don’t want to lose this well known and respected business and its highly qualified mechanical staff.
Quite often over the past several days, there have been occasions where vehicles have been lined up, trying to get service at the present four gas stations. To close the Shell station will simply make an unacceptable situation only worse. The end results will hurt our community and the tourist trade.
As a citizen of Jasper, I respectfully appeal to the residents of Jasper, our businesses, the town council, our MP and MLA and the Jasper Park Chamber of Commerce to strongly protest Shell’s closure of our Jasper Shell. At the very least, if Shell is bound and determined to close this station, they should give owner Sally Madore at least one year beyond Sept. 30 to make alternative arrangements. She wants to keep the doors open on this valued business. So do we.
Harry Holmes
Jasper, Alta.
