Dear Editor;
We live in a time of perceived “entitlement”. Many believe that because they are good people and work hard, they are entitled to get what they want. While it would be wonderful to live in a world like this, reality is quite different. Would I like to have a pool for my family and everyone in the area? Absolutely. Is it responsible to in debt multiple communities at a time of financial insecurity? Absolutely not! Just as there are some who can afford the taxes an indoor pool would incur, there are many who cannot.
A recent Readers’ Digest article noted that 32% of Canadians in a TD Waterhouse poll said they expect to finance their retirement by winning a lottery! We are living in a time when many cannot afford to put food on their table, pay their bills and clothe their children let alone save for their retirement. Many don’t have jobs with pension and medical plans. I would never vote to inflict financial hardship on families that are already stretched to the limits. For those fortunate to have abundant funds, a wise suggestion would be to invest in RESP’s for your children or grandchildren to ensure that they will be able to get the education needed for their future financial security. It might not be as appealing as an indoor pool, but it is a more sensible decision.
We are blessed to live in an area with many outdoor swimming locations such as Otter Lake and local rivers. We can bond with our children and get fit using these just as easily as using an indoor facility. Now is the time to make do with what we have and tighten our belts to ready ourselves for an uncertain future. Free outdoor entertainment can be just as satisfying and enjoyable as an indoor pool facility. Many leave the big cities every weekend just to experience what we get for free. I’m not against a pool; I am against causing financial stress for myself and my neighbours for something that we simply can’t afford.
Diane Sterne,
Coalmont