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We deserve better from Redford on closure of Michener Centre

Like many of you, I was disappointed to read in the Red Deer Advocate that Premier Alison Redford has not changed her position with regards to the closure of Michener Centre (Redford won’t reconsider Michener closure, Sept. 30). She continues instead to contradict her own mantra “That a promise made is a promise kept.”

Like many of you, I was disappointed to read in the Red Deer Advocate that Premier Alison Redford has not changed her position with regards to the closure of Michener Centre (Redford won’t reconsider Michener closure, Sept. 30). She continues instead to contradict her own mantra “That a promise made is a promise kept.”

Equally disappointing is that this premier could not to take the time to visit Michener while in Red Deer. Surely a decision of this magnitude, deserves at least one visit — to date she is the only premier not to have done so. If she had, then perhaps she would have seen for herself that Michener is far from the “institution” she claims it to be. A visit to Michener Centre would have confirmed what 23,000 signatures, towns, city, unions and school board have said: Michener is not an “institution” but a home for our loved ones.

This past May, Redford stated that she believes all Albertans should have a say in government policy. It seems again she has forgotten her own words. The decision to close Michener does not reflect the wishes of Albertans, but is a reflection of a self-centered ideology driven by a few within the bureaucracy of the government.

Over the past months, we have successfully challenged the government on its arguments for closure. It is evident, therefore, that this decision is not one based on facts, but one based purely on ideology.

To satisfy this misplaced ideology, special interest groups and bureaucrats from within the government are willing to throw away the long-standing principles of honesty and trust.

It is a shame that in a democracy, we are forced to take a government to court in order to make it reveal the truths as to how it breaks a promise without consulting those most affected. It is our hope that once the truth is revealed, that government will be forced to respect the choice of our loved ones to remain at Michener.

It is not acceptable that a government should bully those less fortunate and less able to defend itself. The families that choose to remain at Michener will continue the fight against closure.

Bill Lough

President

Society of Parents & Friends of Michener Centre