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My spouse and I moved right into a senior unbiased residing facility three months in the past. The earlier misconceptions that we had about unbiased residing evaporated fairly shortly.

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I can safely say that almost all of individuals suppose that these ki
nds of amenities are for individuals who have aged-out or require 24-hour care. This stigma couldn’t be farther from the reality. Sure, there are amenities for individuals who want that diploma of care however it’s not the case with unbiased residing amenities.

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Unbiased residing is simply that. You come and go as you please with all the advantages of a secure and safe, high quality residing facility, together with high quality meals served by pleasant workers and suite cleansing on a weekly foundation, with recent mattress linens and towels provided.

We dwell in a secured newer constructing with stunning grounds, nice workers and a day by day exercise itinerary that matches the actions on a cruise ship. Our freedom has not been restricted within the least and we’re free from the day by day mundane duties equivalent to cooking, house/home cleansing and the day by day and yearly maintenance of yard and constructing upkeep. To not point out not having to pay taxes, utility payments and the ever-increasing value of energy/fuel payments.

Richard Klymok, Excessive River

Cheers for Smith’s stance on COVID

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An ideal column by Rob Breakenridge commending Danielle Smith for her stance and push again on governmental overreach concerning previous COVID restrictions.

It’s refreshing to have a pacesetter who stands up for her convictions as a substitute of blindly following these caught up within the mass hysteria. Your complete COVID state of affairs was misinformed and mismanaged from the start, and a pacesetter who stepped as much as query any and all restrictions to our rights and freedoms and promote a return to normalcy needs to be applauded.

You bought my vote Danielle. Preserve the religion.

Barry Jackson, Millet

Election decisions disappointing

I’m unhappy that many individuals left their conscience on the door earlier than voting within the election.

Ignoring the faulty statements of the UCP chief or the hateful feedback of candidates is pure folly. We deserve considerate, conscious and clever management at this crucial time in our historical past.

I ponder if short-term greed gained the day?

John Pentland, Calgary

Calgary response gained’t deter Smith

Premier Danielle Smith has little doubt despatched a be aware of appreciation for the nice and cozy, congratulatory acknowledgment she obtained from Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek on the UCP win.

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Gondek is seemingly ready to “work” with the Smith authorities; she needs a gathering shortly. However forward of that assembly, Gondek apparently felt it essential to set the stage.

She is anxious about “a small however loud faction of Albertans who’re espousing views that don’t align with these of the broader society.” Moreover, Gondek had this to say: “There is no such thing as a room for hate in a metropolis or province slowly recovering from financial recession. Homophobic, misogynistic, transphobic, and racist views can’t be tolerated.”

That definitely units the priorities for transferring ahead.

As for the remainder of metropolis council, views on the UCP win are diverse. Coun. Dan McLean is optimistic concerning the prospect of extra enterprise, extra police and compassionate take care of the unhoused with mental-health and habit points. Coun. Courtney Walcott is decidedly unenthusiastic. Whereas he’s ready to maintain working with the province, he’s involved about Alberta’s “mannequin of care.” (The present mannequin of extra medication and secure injection websites is, in spite of everything, “massively profitable”).

In the meantime, the long run for Calgary and this province seems to be decidedly brighter than it might have underneath a Rachel Notley-led NDP authorities. I’ve little doubt Smith will wo
rk with Gondek and her followers with the identical intelligence, dedication and good humour she applies to a bunch of different challenges.

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Barbara Jessiman

Gasoline worth hikes unfair

If I purchased a garden chair yesterday, I really feel good if the value was proper. But when I purchase an equivalent chair from the identical retailer at the next worth at present, I ought to object. It was in the identical warehouse and will have been offered on the identical worth.

If I see a chocolate bar in my native retailer raised in worth the subsequent day, the storekeeper could be charged with gouging. A brand new worth sticker over an outdated one is similar.

Nevertheless, gasoline costs are leaping once more. There could have been no new deliveries of costly gasoline however, sadly, there is no such thing as a price ticket on the liquid itself. It’s the identical gasoline as yesterday.

Can I insist on the gasoline left over from yesterday at yesterday’s worth? Even when a brand new bulk supply has arrived, can I ask to obtain yesterday’s gasoline as a substitute of the brand new stuff?

It appears not. As clients, why we’re being cheated?

Peter Willott

No sensible choice in Alberta politics

I spoiled my poll, once more. This time my decisions had been extremists on the left and the correct.

I would like an affordable possibility within the center. No Peter Lougheed for us anymore, eh?

Alberta received a nasty import from the U.S. — right-wing lunacy.

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What’s a voter to do?

Phil Kube, Canmore

Tax {dollars} properly spent?

I obtained my 2023 property tax invoice together with the report on what metropolis tax {dollars} assist. The second doc outlined how my tax {dollars} are divided among the many many providers the town supplies, together with fireplace, police 311, playgrounds, parks, and many others.

The doc extols that Calgary is taken into account probably the most livable cities on the planet.

Sadly, I famous there have been three lacking areas. Calgary has so many pot holes that it’ll take years to get all of them fastened. In Calgary, it takes as much as a yr to get our avenue lights repaired. And the park behind my home, and doubtless different locations, units a file for the variety of dandelions per sq. metre.

John Chandler, Calgary

Taxes aren’t the issue

I take heed to the candidates speak about taxes, taxes, taxes. Taxes are not the issue throughout this spherical of inflationary pressures.

The difficulty is actual wages that don’t sustain with the extent of inflation — beginning with these on the backside of the working ladder, on minimal wages, an simple goal for politicians.

We’ve been fed a lie by firms that getting wages to maintain up with inflation is simply fallacious. That it’s dangerous for the financial system and they’re struggling to outlive and wage will increase will drive them out of enterprise, but they may give excessive raises to their CEOs and enhance shareholder dividends whereas the employees starve.

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Respectable wages had been a standard issue within the ’50s and ’60s, and the financial system was booming. Now we’re seeing inflation charges near 10 per cent prior to now couple of years. As the price of residing is climbing, the push to decrease taxes is getting used as a substitute of the necessity to increase wages.

Apart from the hidden, $647-million revenue tax enhance in Alberta from the de-indexing of deductions that the UCP introduced in in 2020, Albertans’ revenue tax charges have been the identical over the previous few years. The federal revenue tax primary deductions have elevated with the speed of inflation.

As actual wages fall behind in relation to inflation, the federal government income from taxes falls additional, making it more durable for the authorities to pay for street constructing and upkeep, well being care, police, fireplace and different providers that depend upon taxes.

In Alberta, actual wages have fallen greater than 3.3 per cent, and greater than six per cent in relation to the remaining of Canada, costing us the Alberta Benefit.

Take into consideration what taxes purchase the subsequent time you complain about these pot holes or snow elimination or congested roads or lack of police or fireplace providers. These are your tax {dollars} at work.

Robin Laing, Drugs Hat

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