Spending more money won’t solve the problems in our city

By Lethbridge Herald on February 24, 2023.

Editor:

Re: “Optimism and ideas needed to move our city forward”  Lethbridge Herald,  Feb 18/23.

This editorial really has me confused. 

On one hand it states “we can’t let negativity shackle us” and “there’s issues to be addressed” “for the safety, of residents, workers, and downtown shoppers…..” “downtown has huge issues to be addressed for crime, drug use, and homelessness.”

 The takeaway is that some/much negativity will go away if only we “let optimism guide us rather than pessimism.” 

A generous pour of more public money into LPS “to increase its manpower” along with more for Fire and EMS, so together with LPS they can “better serve the community” seems part of the solution. 

So money once again money fixes everything. I doubt it – hasn’t to date. 

In actuality what has happened is Lethbridge has sunk further into the abyss of social degradation despite massive money playing up expensive solutions. Not much to be optimistic about there!

Whoever wrote the editorial seems to suggest readers dispense with negativity – bring on the sunshine and positive pops out. Easy for those with their hands in the cookie jar, or who haven’t been victimized yet.  But not so much I suspect for hundreds of law-abiding folks among us who’ve had their lives turned upside down by crime and tyranny.

This may include those who’ve had their car busted up for the change in the console –  later their insurance skyockets as a result (no statistics follow those life-changing events – bet on it) or who’ve experienced the horror of mopping up urine and defecation in a doorway, graffiti from a building side etc.  

Solution – hire more taxpayer dependents to “watch” crimes and those cleaning up endless messes!!  

The kumbaya of positivity is a tough one to imagine possible or offset by simply giving thanks for the good things we have (and as noted there are many), while ignoring negatives. 

Taxpayers, suffering through this understand that throwing endless rivers of money at negativity will not magically change negatives to positives. Leadership may help change negatives to positives – but we’re still waiting for the saviour.   

I remain of the belief that a modern society thrives with rules solidly in place which protect from harm – fostering clean, honest, sober productivity. 

I submit the editorial would have been better directed at those hired to carry out the duties of maintaining a civilized society, with an expectation they do just that. 

This has not happened. All we’re seeing is money thrown around like it grows on trees.

Positive will not find a home here or anywhere else no matter how many millions are thrown at experimentation. If such feelings come across as negative, so be it.  Quote: “trying to be optimistic and positive isn’t easy.”  I agree! 

Alvin W. Shier

Lethbridge