In response to your editorial concerning the train whistle, the conductor is in charge of the train. The engineer blows the whistle. Most locomotives today have a sequence whistle. It is controlled by Transport Canada and is activated at the W (Whistle post sign). One long, two short, one long as the locomotive crosses the crossing. The whistles only last seconds depending on the speed of the train. If an engineer fails to blow the whistle and an accident should occur, the engineer and the conductor will face strict and severe disciplinary action even if the arms are at the crossing.
From the early 1900s, the City of Fernie has had three active crossings in the city limits. Therefore, Katelyn, you are living and walking your dog in a whistle zone. You also stated that you were awakened at 2 a.m. by a high-pitched sound.
HELLO, WELCOME TO FERNIE!!! Other residents and I are also awakened at 2 a.m. to wild parties, fireworks, and later we get shaken out of our senses and even the bed by the avalanche gun. It rattles the chandeliers and makes all of the pictures in the house cockeyed!! What an invitation! Try sleeping through this when you are working shift work. Hundreds of the residents and I are still searching for solutions to end this horrible bombardment, which definitely affects our lives, the sanity of pets and wildlife, and also attributes to certain cracking of our drywall in our homes. In comparison, the train whistle seems relatively insignificant.
As I see it, many of the recent residents to Fernie are highly interested in partying and increasing the noise level to an intolerable decibel without any regard as to how the people who have worked hard to make Fernie a place to live, work and raise a family. The commotions that arise from this behaviour, in no way, are of their concern. Your editorial should also address the disturbances caused by the boom boom of the avalanche gun. One thought, concerning the weekly opinion poll, is to ask how many people are disturbed by these two nuisances. People should keep in mind that, even with the income of the hospitality industry and the ski hill combined, it does not match or even come close to the income that the coal trains have brought and continue to bring the city and, definitely, which affords you the opportunity to live and work here.
Joe Macosko
Fernie, B.C