Re: Council taking wise second look at Netook (Lloyd Quantz letter, Sept. 20).I am not entirely in agreement with Lloyd Quantz's views about the Netook saga and a few of his other theories.I recall (in the early '60s) selling tires to the Texaco dealer (Ernie Short) located on the west side of Hwy. 2 and the Olds intersection and eating lunch at Ray Hannigan's drive-in a few years later. What killed the venture, back then, was when the roundabout was built it was difficult to access the retailers and they were forced to demolish the buildings and reclaim the land.My point is, there have been development plans along the Queen E, and there were businesses, including farm suppliers, anxious to locate along the fastest developing area in North America and I believe the latest commercial project (Netook) had legs if the council had not got so starry-eyed and thought a mega residential development was also feasible. Then came the 2008 crash. Everyone knows what the damages were!Furthermore, Mr. Quantz fails to justify statements without offering references supporting his claims. For example he states, ìThe recent technology burst in horizontal drilling ÖîIs he sure the huge costs to put a horizontal well into production versus the suspected short sustainability is viable in the future? I suggest to Mr. Quantz that he do some scouting to find if the daily production of these wells is holding up to earlier expectations.Just a couple more points. Alberta's population grew by 15,000 in the first quarter of this year and the mayor of Calgary just returned from a recruiting campaign going as far as the Maritimes, almost begging workers to relocate to fill the demand for over 200,000 job vacancies by 2015. ln Calgary alone!What Mr. Quantz seems to be saying is that our county should not share the advantages of this opportunity. It seems he and our deranged council hope we can stay in the past and let others enjoy the fruit that will be falling from the trees going forward while we watch businesses and resident workers leave for better opportunities in the near future.Finally, I invite him and his council friends to visit a new multi-lot subdivision site under construction. This was one of Diana Hawryluk's team's last efforts and the landowner and the developer speak highly of her.The developer/contractor has pre-drilled the water wells, all services are being installed, there is a small lagoon being built, the interior roads are up to standard and ready for four-inch asphalt surfacing, the pole fence around the perimeter is being built, 150 nursery spruce trees will be planted and there is more earthmoving equipment on site than the county has in total (west of Sundre to Rge. Rd. 61, south one mile). It is beyond a doubt the best example of sincere pride and experience. However, as the word spreads that experienced, dedicated developers are not welcome, because land that would graze a half dozen horses is too valuable for new residents who are willing to pay for quality, our county will be left behind and our neighbours will reap the benefits.By the way, this project was put together under the previous planning bylaws that only experienced developers could work with, it seems. Is that so bad?Arnie SheaMountain View County
