Dear Editor,
Re: Pilot takes aim at tractor, front page, July 14.
Citizens of our communities are appalled by the amount of vandalism that is happening. To have Capt. Riel Erickson promote the destruction of an antique tractor is a travesty. This teaches our children that taking a large rock and smashing their toys, to see the pieces fly, is okay. Isn’t vandalism a crime? The Priddis-Millarville Fair board should be appalled and either remove the tractor from the raffle unless the winner will guarantee that this tractor will be preserved or …

Dear Editor,
On behalf of the residents of Okotoks, I would like to thank Okotoks Municipal Enforcement for their “revenue collection service”. They do such a great job patrolling the areas of town such as school or playground zones or the residential streets where children are playing and not just concentrating on the areas of town where there are more places to hide.I would also like to offer them some of my old military camouflage uniform so that when they hide in the bushes with their speed guns, they blend in …

While most of my childhood friends had dreams of being a firefighter, policeman or Captain Caveman, my dream was something a little more extravagant.
As a boy my quest was really quite simple, I wanted to be David Lee Roth.
True, I couldn’t play an instrument (although I am sure a ukulele solo would have been impressive on Van Halen’s “Eruption”) but since  when should lack of ability or talent stop anyone from achieving their dreams?
I am sure the rock star thing came from my mom who was a huge music fan. …

Alberta school divisions should not have to budget year-to-year let alone month-to-month.
The local school divisions received some pleasant news last week when the provincial government announced it would indeed cover the 2.92 per cent teachers’ raise. However, a great deal of damage has already been done.
Initially, it appeared Alberta Education would not fund the raise and, as a result, the Foothills School Division and Christ the Redeemer Catholic Schools proceeded to complete their budgets this spring.
Thinking they would have to cover the raises with existing funding the divisions’ budgets included …

A move to force prompt clean sweeps of homes ruined by marijuana grow-ops seems like a no-brainer, but may be more complicated than it sounds.
Okotoks town councillor Beth Kish has given notice that she intends to introduce a bylaw that would declare grow op houses uninhabitable and require them to be repaired and inspected before anyone can move back in.
Fixing the problem is a lot more difficult than creating a bylaw.
In B.C. and in Calgary significant changes have been made to their laws to create the ability for officials, other …

Hope everyone had a great Canada Day. There was a lot happening here in the foothills.
From Blackie to Millarville and of course right here in Okotoks there were pancakes flipping, kids bouncing and everything ended with a  blast. In Okotoks and the High Country the day ended with brilliant fireworks displays.
Following is a list of reasons we have to be proud to be Canadian.
Canadians have alot to be proud of including our 143 Birthday
1. Smarties (not in the USA )
2. Crispy Crunch, Coffee Crisp (not in the USA )
3. The …

Maybe it’s because some numbers seem so out of whack. Maybe it’s because I have trouble with math. Either way, I often have a hard time figuring out what a number can really mean.
Like, what is an Airmile reward mile really worth? Did you know that you can get an iPod nano for 1,800 Airmiles? Hey, that’s sounds kind of swell, at least until you do some figuring. Considering you’ll have to spend $15 at participating merchants for every regular reward mile, that $169 iPod will cost you a handsome, …

Dear Editor,
It is wonderful to read such a glowing, well-deserved letter from someone who has experienced care at the hospice first hand.
This is a much needed community facility that offers so much to patients and their families at the most difficult time of their lives.
As a member of the Society and someone who has been associated with the Hospice from the early years I feel it is a tragedy that the respect, compassion and support offered to patients and families is NOT extended to the staff from senior management and …

Dear Editor,
How to grow is the question?
The amount of children living in our community who want to register for sports is amazing. We have over 1,000 in each of, minor hockey, baseball, soccer and slightly less than 1,000 in lacrosse. We do not have enough facilities to support this young community.
If we don’t expand our boundaries and continue with our well managed growth we will never have the tax base or land inventory to build what is necessary to accommodate our growing youth population on a recreational or cultural level.
The …

Dear Editor,
Wow, Daniel Tschetter wants to get back driving commercially so he can support his family after plowing five people into oblivion with his cement truck. His lawyer, Balfour Der says, “His whole life is driving.”
Is it just me that thinks Mr. Tschetter has forfeited the privilege of driving commercially and should find another line of work? To say his driving sucks is a gross understatement. Unbelievable!
Susan Raby-Dunne
Black Diamond
Dear Editor,
Wow, Daniel Tschetter wants to get back driving commercially so he can support his family after plowing five people into oblivion …