I have read with interest the articles about the Cochrane Lions club rodeo grounds.

I have resided in the Cochrane area for many years and contributed my share of time toward community development.

The Cochrane Ag Society has been in existence in this area since 1973 and has had its share of growing pains over the years.

I am not aware that the Town of Cochrane has contributed financially in a significant way toward development of the Ag Society Park, while other recreational facilities and venues in Cochrane have received very substantial amounts of financial assistance from the town.

The Ag Society has built a very good outdoor arena that does have the capability of accommodating rodeo events.

There is more than adequate parking on the Ag grounds, and the grounds are located within two kilometres of the current Lions rodeo grounds.

The big problem, as one article identified, is that the Ag grounds do not have access to town water, and the Ag Society does not appear to be in a financial position to access town water any time soon.

The Lions Club has said that their rodeo would die if they were to relocate outside the centre of town.

I am sure that the Calgary Stampede has never been located in its history in the middle of downtown Calgary, and they have remained viable and have obviously grown.

If the Lions Club could see the advantages in relocating to the Ag Society grounds, which is already on track with development to host rodeo, and make the commitment to work with the Ag Society toward creating a facility that would work for the Lions, then perhaps other parties might come forth with support to help bring water to the Ag grounds.

There was a suggestion by some influential members of the Cochrane Ranche Hands several years ago to build a walking path from the town to the Ag grounds via a tunnel under Highway 22, which would also increase accessibility of the Ag grounds to and from town.

Far fetched? Maybe, maybe not. It is a certainty though that the Ag Society Park is overlooked and discounted as the most viable option for the Lions Club rodeo.

Chris Davies

The failure of the provincial government to upgrade the lanes intersection at Highways 22 and 1A is costing Cochrane’s local business, the citizen’s of Cochrane and area, the tourists visiting or driving through and the transport trucks moving goods and supplies.

This intersection was identified by infrastructure senior management and Cochrane council in 1999 as being in need of upgrading.

Cochrane and area’s residential growth north and west of this intersection has put additional pressure on an already failing intersection.

Our local businesses are starting to see the impact of people choosing to avoid coming to Cochrane to visit and shop due to the problems trying to get into town on a weekend with the traffic at this intersection backing up on all four sides of the lights.

I am concerned with our police, fire and ambulance services being able to move through this intersection in an emergency.

Cochrane and area residents, businesses and the users of these two highways deserve a responsive provincial government working to keep our region strong and vibrant with safe, accessible and efficient roadway lanes and intersection at this crossing.

I applaud the work our town council has done with public transportation.

The upgrade of the roadway and intersection at Highway 22 and 1A should not be lost in your efforts to keep Cochrane moving forward.

Cindy Overland
West Terrace, Cochrane

I happen to live next door to Kate Millar, and have never seen such well-behaved, obedient and loveable dogs.
Why is it when people willingly break the law they have to find fault with someone who is only trying to do her best to protect others.

What do you expect a leashed dog to do when an unleashed one makes a run at him, or is yapping around him?
That’s why they have off-leash areas.

My husband, who is a senior, runs into the same dogs (off the leash, in a leashed area only) every day when he is out for his walk. The majority are well behaved, but it only takes one that is not to do damage to a person or another dog.

Kate is only thinking of their welfare, and yours.

I think it is extremely unfair to malign such a concerned citizen.

The laws are made for all of us — not just some.

— Carol Hughes

Re: July 7 letter ‘Response To Dog Leash Plea”
Dear Editor:

Obviously you have not been following my letters outlining my concerns about unleashed dogs and the fact that I have a tremendous amount of support from my community, including Animal Control.

My rescue dogs love people and even other dogs when introduced properly. My rescue dogs have come a long way and are very obedient to me. I’ve been fortunate  to have a family member who is a dog trainer.

Unfortunately, people who choose not to follow the rules and those that support them create the problem. Cochrane has two unleashed areas for dogs to roam on, and I never go there, so Darcy please tell me why it is my problem unleashed dogs are in my space causing grief to all of us around them.

Also, I stop many times during my walk for children of all sizes and ages to pat my dogs.

I am not the problem, but a concerned community member with a legitimate issue. If you wish to respond further you may get my information from the Eagle.

— Kate Millar

Dear Editor:
Am I missing something here?

The mayor tells us we are going to spend $5 million the province is handing over to us to have two “double decker” (read expensive) buses running to connect with the Calgary LRT morning and night!

Did anyone ask the people riding the commuter bus to downtown if they would want to do that?
I’m not one of them.

I was assuming the buses would run more or less continuously all day.

Why do we not do a trial by subsidizing someone like Southland to run to the LRT and see if anyone actually gets on it?

I think I already know the answer to that, however.

My understanding is that it is illegal for a private service to drop off at the LRT.

We are not going to be serving any more people than those that are riding the present commuter bus and we run the risk of putting a lot of infrastructure in place only to find we have a white elephant.

I would love to be wrong on this one.

Robert Ambrose
Cochrane Resident

Dear Editor:
I sure would not want to see my children or my leashed dog “come into your space” and pay the price of having your disobedient and out-of-control dog attack!

If you look around you will see that your dog is the problem, not the other dog owners and their leash issues!

Take a more serious approach to teaching your dog better social skills — perhaps some reading on your part might shed some light on your problem dog.

To “smack your dog on the nose” is a strong clue you don’t know how to control a dog! If your dog is known to attack then I strongly suggest you really learn how to control your dog or not walk it in public.

It is not up to you to control what others do but ultimately it’s up to you to control your out-of-control dog!

I don’t understand why some people can’t take responsibility for their own actions and find it necessary to put the blame on others.

Darcy Shier

All this happened in leashed areas.

Why, I ask myself and have found no other answer other than people are rude and ignorant and believe the rules don’t apply to them.

Animal Control, I know you guys are doing your best, but please focus on better education and ticket people those responsible, everyone knows their dogs must be leashed. Enough is enough.

Kate Millar
Cochrane resident

We would also like to extend a very special thank you to Allie Whitbread and the dedication she showed toward raising funds for this project. We are truly grateful as this program will benefit not only the more than 82,000 cancer survivors who live in Alberta today but the many future survivors as well.

Thank you for your support.

Janelle Wakaruk
Director, Individual and Corporate Giving, Alberta Cancer Foundation

In 2004, I suffered two fairly massive strokes, one as a result of brain surgery for a brain aneurysm and the other one the cause was unknown.

Prior to the aneurysm, I had suffered chronic back pain as a result of a fall at age 10. This was followed by severe regenerative disc disease. Over time, I had two discs removed and in 2000 I had a spinal fusion resulting in eight screws, two metal rods, two metal plates and 15 pieces of my hip fused into my lower back. This caused constant severe low back pain, and morphine three times a day barely took the edge off.

Following the strokes and the loss of use of my left leg, I was picking up my left hip in order to swing my leg into a walking motion. This further contributed to the pain in my left hip and lower back.

Some people I knew  were attending warm water therapy,  so I decided to give it a try. The benefits are absolutely amazing.

Increased mobility is just one of them. Overall wellness is a great benefit to those who are sedentary as a result of illness, accident or injury. The warmness of the water itself is very soothing to the injured or aching areas, and the buoyancy of the water makes movement possible, which would be impossible on land, not only possible but in most cases pain free. I did have to stop going for a short period of time and noted a huge regression.

I know some who have lost the use of an arm or hand from a stroke and have regained much of the flexibility and use of this limb as a result of warm water therapy.

I regularly run support groups for stroke survivors at the Foothills Hospital and always highly recommend warm water therapy in addition to the therapy offered by the Health System.

Vicky Jones
President
Stroke Recovery Association of Calgary, written in support of a “TLC” Warm Water Therapy Group

If you are in a leashed area with a loose dog don’t come crying to me afterwards about your injured dog when mine bites it and you can be sure if it comes into our space it will be hurt.

I have complete and total control over my licensed, leashed dogs, but cannot control other animals that come running loose into my space.

I have been hurt too many times to mention myself because of your choice and it is not fair.

Why can’t I relax and enjoy my walk instead of your bad attitude when I ask you to leash up? You can be sure I have contacted animal control and am asking them to give out $100 tickets instead of warnings. So leash up and let’s all enjoy our walks.

Kate Millar

During eight years involved with CHS, I have been constantly impressed with this gentleman’s enthusiasm, commitment and dedication.

His exemplary approach and behaviour has been a  frequent topic for discussion amongst parents and has provided a great role model for the students.

Although Cochrane is losing an outstanding educator, his legacy of an excellent school and hundreds of fine CHS graduates is something we should all be proud of.

Alan Bays