Opinion

Spending and cutbacks; it seems there’s just no getting away from the two issues these days. And they’re back.

Bears, school cuts and corporate school support; there are all manner of interesting items to comment on in this space this week.

Increased class sizes, decreased janitorial services, new bus fees and 16 fewer teachers in our schools are a sudden reality in the Bow Valley. The Canadian Rockies Public School board finds itself in a difficult situation to say the least.

Again this week, a couple or several people have switched ranks from being pet owners to pest owners in the Bow Valley.

Whether or not you’re looking forward to yet another federal election, we do urge Valley voters to put some thought into who would be their candidate of choice – and then get out there and vote.

If the last couple of weeks are any indication, it’s time to put our first wildlife warning of the year out there.

Often in this space, we have commented on how clarity and public consultation in relation to official goings-on has many benefits.

Talk about stepping up to the plate. While it’s not often this space is dedicated to congratulations, we feel Banff Park Lodge’s stellar effort in anteing up $100,000 for earthquake and tsunami assistance in Japan warrants some positive ink.

And so it begins… Just a short time ago, members of federal political parties could at times be heard preaching the benefits of fiscally responsible spending.

Bow Valley municipalities are looking at making changes, possibly sweeping changes, to their land use bylaws Unfortunately, in Banff’s case, the Town’s planning team has been muzzled in respect to parting with their expertise.