I was wondering if Darcie Thom of the Citizen Staff could clarify her statement she made in the May 2, 2008 issue of the Citizen. Quote ” with the snow gone and spring slowly making its way in, The Town of Kipling is looking a bit sluggish”. Well I understand that you are the Citizen staff news reporter and if you haven’t noticed that in the past 2 weeks the Town of Kipling has done a complete sweeping of all their streets, whether be on the street, boulevard or park areas. We also have several garbage cans placed around town and they are cleaned weekly or on a need be basis. I along with my staff, Mayor and council take very much pride in the way the Town of Kipling looks and have for the past 18 years. I can alone speak for myself but I was and am very offended by her statement. Maybe next week’s topic could be, how we can acknowledge the People that keep our Town looking so clean. Like for instance, Town staff and summer students, communities in Blooms Volunteers, Girls Guides, Lions Club and I know that there is more groups out there that help keep our Town clean. I mean really, We, the Town of Kipling would not be winning Communities in Bloom awards if our town was looking a bit Sluggish. Don’t you agree?

Kelly Kish
Town Foreman
Town of Kipling

**RESPONSE**

We, at the Citizen care about the Town of Kipling and the people that reside here and The Citizen wanted to have a column for everyone to voice their opinions. We ask questions that are brought to our attention by the people of Kipling and surrounding areas. This question was originally suggested April 18, 2008 and was scripted for the April 25, 2008 issue. Unfortunately, we could not run this article that week, due to insufficient space and did not want the people who voiced their opinion, to be unheard. The weather at that time was sluggish, the snow was melting, trees were bare and there was still no beautiful gardens blooming, it was a time between Spring and Summer. The Town Staff works hard to keep Kipling clean and you are right, the Town Staff should be recognized. Apologies to you, the Town Staff and to anyone else who took offense to my statement.