Dear Editor
In regard to Dana Alexander's letter (News-Optimist, July 18) I am disappointed with the actions of the City of North Battleford in dealing with the Battlefords Ag. Society.
My involvement with the Ag. Society was in the 1970s and '80s when I served on the executive and a one-year term as president when the fair grounds were under a 99-year lease from the City. At that time relatively good communication existed among the partners involved in the rental agreement. Furthermore, a joint use agreement was developed between the City and the Ag. Society for the use of the Agri-Plex, which in the winter was used as an ice surface and the balance of the year for Ag. Society events.
The latest rental agreement gives the impression the City owns the land as a landlord and we, the City, are going to dictate the terms of existence a lessee.
Instead of a heavy handed approach, wouldn't the City have been better off to use the diplomatic or dialogue approach in working with the Ag. Society?
In planning, was consideration every given to the need for a joint use parking area for the multiplex and the Ag. Society, since they would be having adjoining properties and a common need for a large parking area?
The activities of the Ag. Society in our coming are quite extensive and, as Alexander pointed out, have many implications and ramifications for the future.
Howard Mattila
Rural Battlefords
