Dear Editor,
Have you ever wondered why the cost of government is so high and why there is a latent distrust of government?
All you need to do is look at how the goldfish removal from a storm pond in Drake Landing is being handled.
What could have been completed by a single town employee with a pump, to drain the pond, and shovel to pick up the dead fish, has turned into a major environmental project so hazardous that it required the erection of fencing to protect the town.
The province has posted a notice that says they are using a non-toxic chemical to kill the fish, yet there has been an eight-foot-fence erected to totally enclose the pond, a warning to keep pets out of the water.
Most concerning, the use of yellow hazmat suits for people involved inside the fence recovering the dead fish.
Passing by the pond on my way to the dog park, I have seen multiple trucks from the Town, the City of Calgary, and the province. Although I didn’t see a federal fisheries truck, it is likely that they are involved as well.
As with most government operations, there were more people watching than working. It is anyone’s guess what the cost of this operation will be in the end.
The good news is that the town may not be responsible for the salaries of the many non-town employees involved, on second thought there is no good news here, we have only one taxpayer.
Boyd McIntyre
Okotoks
