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Lakeview resident and former community association board member Jesse Salus said he is “extremely concerned” by the letter, which he says misrepresents the views of the community.

“They’ve taken real liberties in misrepresenting our position to the government,” Salus said.

“If the community association takes a position where it’s already made up its mind that it is seeking to close access to the community and the reserve — to me, that is not the way to engage with our neighbours on this issue.”

Association president Joann Burke said the letter and the board’s position on the project is based on the wishes of Lakeview residents. Burke pointed to a vote held March 3, where a majority of residents voted in favour of “pursuing alternative options” to the long-term plan for 37th Street.

“The traffic committee has the mandate to follow up and see what kind of solutions or options there are out there; that was the intent to the letter they had sent out,” Burke said.

But some community members say the letter suggests the association is advocating for more than just “alternative options” to mitigate traffic impacts.

“It talks specifically about ensuring that direct access is not permitted onto the Tsuut’ina Nation reserve, and that is not something that the community gave as a mandate to the community association, and so that was very disappointing,” said Geoffrey Vanderburg, a Lakeview resident and former president of the association.