I personally agree with conservation measures. I’ve been coming to Fernie for over 20 years, and have owned a second home here for just about as long. Years ago I was disappointed, but agreed, when they closed the Wigwam for conservation reasons…. Mr Bulltrout needed protection. I don’t agree with a discrimnatory Tax regime as an effective means of conservation however – especially when it singles out one group over another. The Gov’t is often more concerned with collecting a “mother nature” tax than truly conserving. A strict number of licenses would be more effective in my opinion.
I always find it disappoiting to see discriminatory attitudes on these posts – it reflects a broader problem and often reflects ignorance. For example to single out ALbertans as having a “rape and pilage attitude” promotes hatred. It also doesn’t reflect local reality here in the Elk. Over The last 18 months the Campbell gov’t has issued some of the largest leases to the oil companies so they can develope coal bed methane here in the Elk. And let us not forget the mainstay of the Elk economy – open pit coal mining. But I guess that is ok because it is not nasty albertans getting all the royalty $$$ – it’s the BC gov’t – and they are displaying just as much an appetite for “rape and pilage” royalty money as the King Ralph does.
B.T.W. last summer, while floating down the elk with my 8 year old son someone slashed all four of our tires. It taught him a real lesson of tolerance, charity and understanding. This hateful behaivour often bred by the kind of attitude reflected here. I love the Elk, Fernie and the whole area. I have always respected it and it’s residents. It’s too bad that some of them do not see their own economy and gov’t for what it is and choose instead to foster prejudicial attitudes while closing their eyes to reality.
gagbandit
