READERS' FORUM

Let's hear from you...

The PEGG welcomes letters as an avenue for members to express opinions and concerns on issues or topics of interest to the professions. Share your experiences with other members.

Mail to:1500 Scotia One, 10060 Jasper Avenue NW, Edmonton, AB T5J 4A2, E-mail: glee@apegga.org or Fax: (780) 425-1722 your letters to the editor, signed with your name and address.

Of course we can't publish all letters received and can't run letters concerning specific registration matters before any APEGGA regulatory body. Do try and keep your letters to 300 words or less. Remember, The PEGG reserves the right to edit for length, legality, coherence and taste. Letters that don't appear in the print version of The PEGG will sometimes appear in the electronic version only.

Microsoft's Position Disappointing

Re: Microsoft's stance on MCSE title.

After reading about Microsoft's sanctioned misuse of the term "engineer" in its MCSE designation, I was left with a very uneasy feeling. It seems to me that Microsoft concluded the risk to its business was small enough that it can put the general public in potential danger.

Yes, this may be blowing things out of proportion and I'm sure Microsoft didn't really mean to say it, but that is what this issue appears to distill down to.

Microsoft's stance on this issue is disappointing. I expected more from one of the largest corporations in the world. My fear is that this kind of behaviour is becoming more of the norm than the exception.

Steven Solie, P.Eng.
Calgary

Alex's Playground

On Feb. 19, 2002, Alex Slukynski, E.I.T., 26 years old, tragically lost his life in a car accident. Following Alex's death, his colleague at Colt Engineering (Joseph Dallaire) planted a seed for our project when he approached the City of Fort Saskatchewan with the idea of revitalizing a playground in Alex's memory. Coincidently, the park that the city suggested happens to be the Elks Park where Alex spent his childhood playing. The existing equipment in this 20-year-old playground does not meet current safety standards and was scheduled for removal.

Our goal is to provide a revitalized, safe and fun playground that will greatly benefit the community as well as recognize a young man's exceptional spirit. Constructing a playground meeting today's safety codes costs an estimated $150,000. Only with the support of the community will this goal be reached.

To make this dream a reality, a fundraising campaign has begun in conjunction with Colt Engineering, the City of Fort Saskatchewan and The Elks Club. On April 5 we are holding a silent auction. Donations from your membership for this event would be greatly appreciated, and so would attendance (see General Events Calendar HOTLINK HERE). The generosity of donors will be publicly acknowledged at the social event as well as in the media.

If you have any questions about this project, please do not hesitate to contact Joseph Dallaire (403) 537-8255 or Carol and Nancy at (780) 998-2390. Thank you very much for your time and consideration.

Joseph Dallaire
for the
Alex Slukynski Memorial Playground Planning Committee