Letter: Power plant sale a future-altering decision

By Letter to the Editor on January 30, 2021.

Dear editor,

It was with considerable concern to learn, via local media and the letter to News from Ms. Van Dyke, that this city council is seriously considering the sale of the City of Medicine Hat Electrical Generation system.

One council member recently said, ‘it would take a long time to get the public up to speed.’ That statement to some may reflect disrespect for the public intelligence, but if you believe that then please take the necessary time to engage the public. I can only hope each of you study, analyze, listen to the public, and seek to understand the disastrous swath of consequences should the majority of you decide to take this unprecedented future-altering direction. We often hear from some political leaders that public borrowing leaves our grandchildren burdened with debt. Sale of this historic valued asset dwarfs by comparison. Such a decision will completely destroy our already fire-damaged Medicine Hat Advantage. This sale will burden future generations with this rush to the bottom of opportunity lost.

I am respectfully requesting that the council use the time between now and the next municipal election to undertake a detailed public process of study, public information, consultation and engaged dialogue.  No decision should be made until after an informed public elects a new city council in October.

Thank you for your service to our city. I humbly request your support.

Robert E. Wanner 

Medicine Hat

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