Dear Editor:
In response to Jane White’s letter to the editor,"Reader confused by column", in the December 5, 2012 edition of the Cochrane Eagle and Cochrane Times, I am once again struck by the poignancy of the words spoken by John F. Kennedy “Too often we enjoy the comfort of opinion without the discomfort of thought.’
Mary Lou Davis’s articles, in like manner to Preston Twoyoungmen’s, succinctly hit the target of critical opinion-based writing: providing information in a way that leaves the reader asking questions and at times, provoking response. I congratulate these columnists for not missing the mark.
Ms. White, you are to be commended for your voluntary efforts to enrich the community, the fruits of which reap unseen rewards. I agree with your words that Cochrane is “an extremely supportive community”.
While it is true that “groups come together to help those stranded”, it must be noted that displaced individuals fall through the cracks on a far too frequent basis. This may “confuse” and even “discomfort”.
We are a community striving towards diligence and lofty goals, but as Davis astutely opines in her columns, there is “a right time for the right services for Cochrane paid for by Cochrane dollars.”
Let me elaborate. A “gap’ (or need) presented itself six years ago. It appeared that handfuls (in fact, hundreds) of people without means at Christmas time, were thereby lacking a meal and fellowship, in spite of the religious, social and outwardly festive spirit that merits such occasion. Mary Lou Davis was a community member that stepped up and filled that need; a tradition that has been going strong ever since.
Mary Lou Davis takes her place among myself and countless others who have answered that call, at times placing our own welfare and that of our children at resulting risk. Certainly, Victims Services, the Family and Community Support Services and other local service providers struggle to fill those mounting needs, and do so admirably well. Few would question however, that with growth comes inexorably growing needs: hence, why larger communities have prioritized use of their tax-paying dollars to fund emergency shelters and soup kitchens. I wonder if this is one such “gap” that Cochrane could fill more adequately?
At this time of year, it certainly is a question that begs asking. To that end, may the Christmas season be one of considerable emphasis for those in our midst whose laughter may very well be their only means to disguise the tears within.
Shauna Dolan, president of the Stoney Tribal Cadet Corps
