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Paula Simons’s enthusiasm for “this little piece of paradise he’s given us” is over the top and misleading.

M.R. Leithead, Bawlf

Time to renegotiate Coliseum deal

The Katz Group wants something more from the city so this is a chance to renegotiate the foolish non-compete clause that Rogers Place has over our Edmonton Coliseum.

The non-compete clause is preventing the Coliseum from surviving. The Coliseum may need a facelift, but still has life as an entertainment pavilion. It may be fair for Rogers to “non-compete” with other NHL or Junior A teams, but limiting all competition only hurts consumers and taxpayers.

With some creativity in event planning, the Coliseum could be booked 24-7 with community-oriented events, less-known entertainers, and even peewee hockey. Rogers Place has no public events scheduled for July and few in August, and Oilers/Oil Kings hockey games take priority the rest of the year.

This is a chance for our municipal politicians to redeem themselves after negotiating such an expensive and one-sided deal in the past.

John Rohac, Edmonton

Urban trees benefit the environment

It is beyond astounding that the City of Edmonton is even contemplating killing a staggering 1,700 mature and rare trees to push through the LRT in a mature and vibrant neighbourhood.

If the city is serious about climate change and urban renewal, then these trees are an integral part of CO2 capture and urban vitality. Numerous studies, including a recent one from researchers at University College in London show that “pockets of the urban jungle store as much carbon per hectare as tropical rainforests.