Skip to content

It’s just about filling a hole with asphalt

Writer says tickets for pothole-filling citizen wrong
12683774_web1_180620-WPF-M-LettersLogo2

Dear editor,

I wanted to thank Doug Bailer of Wetaskiwin.

For those who do not know who Mr. Bailer is, he is a gentleman I have coffee with in the morning at the north side Tim Hortons in Wetaskiwin. You may have noticed that he proudly donned a Washington Capitals jersey during the Stanley Cup Finals this year as he sat for coffee.

Unfortunately, I found him this morning with two yellow tickets (bylaw fines) in his hand. One was for $300 and the other for $600. When I inquired, I found out that a certain bylaw officer in this city decided to fine Mr. Bailer twice. Both for the same “offense” on different days. Mr. Doug Bailer has been going around the city filling potholes on his own time and dime.

For those of us who have turned onto the street in front of the south side Tim Hortons on the way to the Walmart in Wetaskiwin, there were several potholes after the snow melted that you would constantly hit (or have to swerve around). These potholes are no longer there, thanks to Doug Bailer. As numerous complaints to the city went unheeded, Mr. Bailer took it upon himself to volunteer his time and money to fix this menace.

I understand that city bylaw prohibits repairs to highways without a permit. However, this is someone volunteering his time to make our community a better place. Mr. Bailer is even saving the city money as he does these repairs on his own time, using his own equipment. You are all witness to his competency as I am sure no one has complained that they miss the potholes leading into the Wal-Mart parking lot.

Instead of discouraging community engagement, I honestly think that we should all do our part in making this city a better place! Mr. Bailer is proud to live in this city and his way of giving back is to help its citizens against potholes. Why should he be fined $900 for his display of affection and pride?! The City of Wetaskiwin has already stirred up bad blood with the local improvement fees. Why discourage people from helping to solve problems the city doesn’t have the time or energy for.

The two bylaw tickets in Mr. Bailer’s hand this morning testifies to this man’s selflessness. After getting his first fine ($300), he nonetheless persisted. He continued to fill potholes risking further fines! Who does that in this city, for this city?! Should we not applaud and encourage this type of service?

I would like to tell that bylaw officer that this is not rocket science… it’s just about filling a hole with asphalt.

Thank you Doug Bailer for caring so much about Wetaskiwin. This city would be a better place to live if we were all like Doug Bailer. Please contribute to paypal.me/dougbailer to help pay the $900 fine.

Brad Linaker

Wetaskiwin