Dear Premier Redford and the ministers of Culture (Heather Klimchuk); Environment and Sustainable Resource Development (Robin Campbell) and; Tourism, Parks and Recreation (Richard Starke):
I extend thanks and appreciation for the announced creation of a film studio in southern Alberta, thus creating a stage for growth of an industry that has generated more than $400 million during the past five years.
The good-news component of today's announcement is worthy of celebration.
The bad news is that Calgary, already in collision with surrounding communities, is out of control. It's careening down back roads and racing through distant ranchlands with reckless abandon. Sadly, and perhaps most obviously, it's destroying Alberta's ever-diminishing wealth of heritage landscapes, the heart and soul of the movie industry, the home and lifeblood of hundreds of artists, writers, photographers and tourism operators.
Out where I live, within the storied headwaters of the Oldman River, I've watched recently as two Hollywood movies and a segment of Alberta's dynamic Remember to Breathe video were produced on a landscape that, today, is scheduled to be clear-cut logged and permanently degraded by overhead transmission lines.
Here on my doorstep, the prevailing vision of Alberta's iconic headwaters is this: They're filmed and lauded today, scheduled for degradation tomorrow.
Calgary is here to stay, but Alberta's world renowned heritage landscapes aren't going to be. They'll disappear unless Alberta puts the brakes on the ongoing destruction of its world-class attributes and internationally revered viewscapes.
Your job is to save Alberta from itself, … protect it from a cannibalistic, one-vision-consumes-all-others scenario.
The attached image shows the Livingstone Range - it's been featured in a number of Hollywood movies- as it looks today.
Look closely at today's picture, because tomorrow's projected picture isn't pretty. Clear-cut logging and high-voltage overhead transmission lines are scheduled to cut through the heart of world-class integrity.
Please act today. Please save Alberta's priceless heritage.
Sincerely,
David McIntyre
David McIntyre, I was born and raised looking at the same mountains. This is my home. You are too radical and frankly embarrassing to the community. Please go back to the city where you came from.
ReplyDeleteI have to say, I agree. My family has been looking out at those mountains for over a hundred years as well. Of course we want to protect "our place". But you don't speak for us. Maybe if you picked ONE issue and stuck to it passionately, more people would take you seriously. Frankly, I think some people just see who the letter's penned by and dismiss it. Often "empty vessels make the loudest noise".
ReplyDeleteAnonymous 8/2/14 - I see nothing in David McIntyre's comment that suggests he is speaking for you. Empty vessel? Understand this - "anonymous" is the emptiest vessel of all - it's empty of forthrightness, substance, and identity. Comments from "anonymous" mean absolutely nothing - and if you're not sure what "nothing" is, read my earlier comment . . . that goes for you, too, 6/2/14. You are both ideological cowards . . .
ReplyDeleteI don't see an "earlier comment". No matter. Point taken. I don't know this person and likely wouldn't say anything to him in person if I did. I know I'm not alone though in thinking some people - and NOT this author in question of course :-) - undermine their message with too many diatribes and Henny Penny messages... the point gets lost.
ReplyDeleteThe earlier comment is titled "Nothing is Impossible". There is a reference within the article about anonymity -about how it is insignificant, shallow, and meaningless - as is yours, if you choose to remain "anonymous". Man up (or woman up), for heaven's (or whatever experative term you prefer) sake. If you want to go head to head, ideologically, you CAN"T be anonymous! And verbal combat over ideological points of view is FUN! C'mon, let's go!
ReplyDeleteCouldn't correct the spelling in the current options - it's "experlitive" - sorry . . .
ReplyDelete