So a committee named Better Our Living Downtown has decided that the train whistle causes a disturbance and does not contribute to the image to tourists and scares people and children and pets. I can say it disturbs me too. I work in Fernie and when it hits it rips right through me.
10 years ago this May my then 17-year-old son was in a horrific train accident right at the skateboard park. The train dragged him four city blocks. He nearly lost his life and he did lose his leg. I can tell you that it didn't better his living. The train whistle may not add charm or bring revenue but parents who live in Fernie need to consider the risks of having no warning when that train goes through your town. I know we all think it can't happen to us, but imagine if your child was crossing the track when it ripped through. Maybe one night your teenager doesn't want to break curfew and that whistle doesn't blow and they climb through and the train moves. God help City Council if it hits a tourist.
Donna Leskosek
Fernie