On Tuesday April 14 Shane Stewart Representative of a group of fifteen concerned citizens from many different parts of the community, presented to council a report put together by themselves labeled the "Crowsnest Revitalization Initiative" a blueprint for a Sustainable Community through Local Collaboration.
A summary of the report was provided with the complete package coming to council shortly, some highlights of the report:
"A call to action"
85% of the CNP tax base is generated from residential taxes
The population of the CNP has declined 8.2% between 2001 and 2006
During the same period the Province of Alberta grew 10.6%
We have the eldest average aged community in Alberta at 48
34.6% of all local households earn less than $25,000 per annum.
"Goals and Objectives"
Provide employment opportunities
Complete Comprehensive tourism plan
Increase small business where there are some service gaps
Develop Historical attractions
Revitalize our image, look and perception
Engender community pride and unity
Focus on community enhancement projects
"Conclusions"
CNP is not sustainable in its current form
Ratepayers must be apprised of the seriousness of the situation
Refer CRI study to the Ad Hoc Committee for Refinement
Council should form a Tourism Task force as soon as possible
Community must invest in itself through Marketing- i.e. Branding and New Logo
Undertake a Coordinated effort to Clean up the community
Executive search for an Economic Development Officer as soon as possible
The Committee is Not in Favour of a Formal park but For Responsible Conservation and Controlled use of Crown Lands
In conjunction with this presentation the Ad Hoc Committee also had its first meeting last week.
The above was certainly a good start to the process and hopefully everybody will seize the opportunity to move this community forward.
10 comments:
Here's a community enhancement project that fits in with a tourism plan.... Clean up the graffiti.
Especially the 2 tags on the buildings either side of Rexall in Blairmore. They're right out in the open and very unsightly. I can't see that it would take very long, nor cost that much to clean up. Do it now, before tourism season. Please....
And about tourism...how about turning the old Coleman colliery into something like Calgary's Heritage Park. Turn their land to the east of the buildings into an off leash dog park. And yes, I know...the town doesn't own the land, it'll be hugely expensive....but, it's an idea and there seems to be a lack of ideas around here.
Question
In this era of fiscal turmoil, where does the Crowsnest Pass Ski Hill Society get money to donate to the Rescue Squad, York Creek Lodge and donate all new office furniture/printers/copiers to the Chamber of Commerce?
Are these taxpayer dollars?
They are not taxpayers dollars, but funds that were raised by a group of people that are no longer in charge of the ski hill.
Banished and imbittered because of their inability to properly run the hill (as was put forward by council) this group has decided to put the money that they had gathered towards anything BUT what it was intended for (and thats our children). Way to go people! And welcome to the CNP!
Could not agree more, it's a total disgrace that gets newspaper coverage constantly. Don't now how that group could come up with the idea that handing their funds out to people who don't even ask for it is helping the community..., SHAME, SHAME.
Yeah, all that while there stands a hill without a chairlift!
Thats just par for the course in the Pass...
Again, complacency on behalf of our elected officials, meant that another revenue cow had to be set up instead of going out and selling the area on their own.
Because of questions posed by this "wonder group", we do not have any representation from our Economic Development office.
Bad blood covered over with Cheshire smiles will not heal this area, brass testicles will...
For Pete's sake leave the Powderkeg out of all this, it's about the only thing that we can gauge any success on.
This is an area that does not want to change things. Fear, lack of ambition and vision keep it stagnating like a slime covered pond. As long as the folks giving direction on this new group are the same old ones that have been on all the others, this Shane charactor doesn't stand a chance. Is this negative talk? or just stating the obvious?
I totally agree with the revitalization initiative and encourage the group to continue. The CNP area has deteriorated very noticibly in the past 8 to 10 years while the rest of the province has enjoyed an unprecendented rate of growth and prosperity. There is no justifiable reason for this failure to thrive other than obstinance, laziness, greed and gullibility on the part of so many people who are in a position to make a difference. I maintain that if all property owners just made an effort to take care of their little bit of the Pass the problem will be licked. As it is now, it seems that the prevailing attitude is to blame the 'outsiders' (weekenders and businesses) for most of the problems however it seems the outsiders are the most likely to keep their properties in presentable condition. What this municipaltiy needs is to get rid of their hostility and bitterness towards 'outsiders' and start putting that wasted energy into property improvements and cleanup that would help give the community the sense of pride it so desperately needs. The Pass has all the god-given ingredients to make it a fabulous place to live in or visit - it's the desirable human characteristics that are so obviously lacking. It wasn't like that 10 years ago. It's time to turn back the clock and start again with a cooperative, progressive, and common sense approach to business and living. A big change in council might help!
PS: if there is an opportunity to become involved in this initiave I would like to know anout it.
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