Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Economic Task Force

Noticed the Herald as a poll this week to guage the public's feeling on the Economic Task Force.
I am real curious to see the response. I will reserve my comments I know what I am hearing around town, but we will wait for the poll results.

http://www.passherald.ca/

Interesting to read the letter to the editior in Fridays paper from the lady who thought she was voting for smaller government. Who also questions how the five new jobs are going to be paid for.

Somebody asked me the obvious question on the weeked so obvious I never thought of it. Does council intend to not put any money into reserves over the next three years, and do they plan to finance all new equipment. Because how else are they going to pay for all these new jobs next year, and the year after. (The $400,000 bill that just won't stop taking)

I told the person to ask his councilor that question, maybe it will be with the additional revenues they are planning to bring in. For example last year the Elks Hall was projected to bring in $4,000 in rental income this year $29,000.

27 comments:

Anonymous said...

If I were pessimistic, I would say that these new jobs, reserves, and equipment would be paid for with our tax dollars.
Being the optimist I am I will say that they are going to be paid for by improved efficiencies? We will see what the next three years brings forth.

Anonymous said...

Well I voted No, I'm not impressed with a bunch of outsiders coming in to tell us what we should be doing.

Larry

Anonymous said...

So who are the locals on this committee?

Anonymous said...

Why would we have a problem with expertise from out of town sitting on this committee.
Was sitting in Tim Hortons today I was flabbergashted by the whining about this group.
You need some help here folks.

Tony

Anonymous said...

The more negative comments I read about Mayor Decoux and the Economic Task Force, the more I become convinced that there is no hope for this place. I did not vote for Mayor Decoux, but I am not going to judge him until he has had a reasonable amount of time (like perhaps three years) to deal with the huge problems facing this municipality. For the most part, I like what I have seen so far.

There's been much poo-pooing about the Mayor's desire to establish policies. Well you know what? -- one of the first things I observed when I moved here, was the total lack of policy and how it seemed that every time an issue came up, the administration and Council dealt with it as a one-off. This approach is a time waster and leads to inconsistency -- both of which were in abundant supply.

I admit that I was sceptical when the Mayor announced the task force during the campaign. However, I must say, the list of people the Mayor has recruited is very impressive. They bring a broad range of experience and talent. Only the most cynical would think that they serving for personal gain. And frankly, I don't give a damn if they aren't all locals. In fact, that may be the biggest strength of the task force.

I suggest everyone stop being so critical of people who are giving feely of their time to get this place moving. Can we not just wait and see what the outcome is instead of continuing the usual whining and bitching?

Anonymous said...

Don't you people get it? You need new blood to get new ideas on how to turn this community around. If there were great thinkers in this community, don't you think the area would be in a better financial situation? Look at their experience and qualifications. Only good can come of this.

Anonymous said...

Larry,
Your attitude is exactly why Crowsnest Pass is such a depressed place. 'Outsiders' coming in with new ideas, starting new businesses, buying real estate and renovating/improving their properties are the only way for the CNP to see any real progress - business and appearance wise. Locals (especially long term locals who have not experienced the world outside the CNP)need to understand their limitations. Put your trust in people that actually know how to create and run successful businesses in the real world.

Anonymous said...

To the 2 posts on the morning of the 23rd. I agree with both of you.Give it a chance, lets wait and see what happens.
As for the complaining issue, I am a local resident, and we do our fair share of complaining, no doubt about it.However when I visit friends and relatives from other areas,I hear them complaining about their issues in their towns and cities.We are no different.

Anonymous said...

To the most recent comments.
I was born here and lived here for 63 years. There are two things that have come and gone in that time.
Companys, Coleman Colleries, Philips cable, Strand Pole Plant, R+R Lumber, Westar Mining, Arctic Spa, Bridgecreek.
Second big ideas, making all the towns into one was going to solve all our problems. Turning the old hospital into a hotel, three corporate reviews, river run, community futures and an economic development officer we spent how much taxpayers money on.
Well you know what the town is not in that bad a shape.
The only thing I have to grumble about is our dam taxes. If the town ever stopped hiring more people they could be lower to.
So yes I am opposed to people coming in to tell us what to do.
Do you really believe that all the people on this task force do not have some kind of motive. They really are doing this for the good of the Crowsnest Pass?

Larry

Anonymous said...

Larry

I have only been here for ten years this place needs help.
For all our sakes

Jeff

Anonymous said...

Larry,
At least the companies that came and went over the years provided jobs to residents (besides Bridgecreek - these guys had a bad reputation prior to their arrival in the CNP and council should have done their research prior to letting them in). My point is - what is your point? Businesses come and go over the years, but you have to take a chance and let some of them in.

In terms of amalgamation and money spent on community futures, reviews, economic development officers, etc. I guess the misuse of funds falls only on the shoulders of town council, not 'outsiders'.

The thing is that you need a vision and a plan to get where you want to go. Also important is to make sure you are following it. I get the impression that previous councils under the old mayor really didn't have any idea of where they were going. The new council is actually seeking advice from exprts to help them create a clearer vision for CNP - wow, imagine that!

And are you serious about these people having motives? Like what - getting rich? I highly doubt it. Are they even getting paid? Give me a break.

Anonymous said...

You guys will not be happy until you turn this into another Canmore.
None of us seniors will be able to afford to live here.

peter rosner said...

some very good coments here especially anon 9.24 you really hit the nail on the head. Here in the CNP we seem to want to tear down things before we give them a chance. It appears people would rather slam this new council and task force than give them the opportunity to show what they can do for us. Maybe some people are worried they will be held more accountable when dealing with the municipality. I am sure when this mayor and council are done a lot of things that were allowed to happen in the past will no longer be an acceptable standard of doing business here in the future. They really have nothing to loose by going that route.If the task force recomends certain changes and some of them have also been identified through policies it will happen. Lets use Bridgegate for an example ,it is a blackeye for this community and we must ensure future councils are never drug into something like that again. When ever their is a conflict of interest it should be quickly identified and dealt with.

Anonymous said...

the Pass will never be "another Canmore", just go there and compare. The differences will blow you away.

that is something we will never have to worry about.

Anonymous said...

I agree totally - CNP will NEVER be Canmore. But, what's wrong with it just being a BETTER CNP?

Anonymous said...

TO the BETTER CNP comment, I totally agree.
To those that do not beleive that the CNP can be a similar place as Canmore, 25 years ago Canmore was the CNP.Now it is so over priced that only the very rich can afford it.Fernie is also quite expensive.People love to get away to the mountains.Why not the CNP.
To the seniors that think that if we become Canmore and you think you can not afford to live here, I guess you will just have to sell your house that has now doubled in value.
Lets give the task force a fair chance and a open mind and see what thay have to say.I look forward to their recomendations.

Anonymous said...

The Task Force had it's first meeting today. Not in public as required by the Municipal Act.

the miners journey said...

Just a further thought on this subject sometimes we put unreasonable expectations on those we put in power. Most of us could be doing more to make this a better community if we really wanted to by getting active and voluntering in some capacity. That being said we do have some tremendous volunteers here already. "I am the change i want to see in the world" ---Gandhi

Anonymous said...

Not in public, they get to plan our future, behind closed doors in secret.
Is this along the same lines as community futures, maybe the Crowsnest Center society?

Anonymous said...

To the fellow that says us seniors can just sell our houses that have doubled in value.
Where would you suggest we go York Creek as what 60 rooms.
Any other ideas, us seniors built this community what you folks get today is the benefits of what we and our families have done over the last 100 years.

Larry

Anonymous said...

To Larry

It costs alot more to live in the CNP
than it does in Calgary or Lethbridge.
Taxes, Food, Gas....etc. Local businesses need our support but more and more people can't afford to pay the prices they ask. We are forced to go to the city to shop

Anonymous said...

To the last anonymous post,

Cheaper to live in the city than CNP? Are you joking? The cost of buying or renting a home in CNP is FAR cheaper than in both Lethbridge and Calgary. In fact, I would bet you can't find a cheaper place to live in Alberta with the same amenities available in CNP. In terms of paying a premium on food and goods in the CNP - do you not factor in the cost of gas and wear and tear on your vehicle to buy your cheaper goods in the ciy?

Anonymous said...

So where would the seniors go?
Suddenly nobody has an answer.

Larry

Anonymous said...

Larry, Where would the seniors go? First off, the only cost that could dramaticly go up if the CNP became similar to Canmore is your property taxes, and even that is unlikely.The cost of living would not really change.The other thing is it took Canmore 25 years to get to where they are, so if the same thing happens in the CNP, and you are a senior today, you would be at least 90,if you are still alive.Also York Creek lodge is expanding.Also, considering that seniors are by far the richest age group in the country, they might actually have to open there wallets.( yes I know there are poor seniors, as well as every age group)
I would be a whole lot more worried about the next generations that have not yet bought a home then to worry about todays senior in this regard.No disrespect to you, in any way Larry

Anonymous said...

Excuse me..what amenities are in the Pass? Put everything in perspective...You can buy a house in Calgary that is similar to a newer home in the CNP for 300,000. Taxes are half of what they are here. Gas is usually 10 cents a litre less with a Super Store coupon...food is way less.

As far as wear and tear on your car to go to the city..you don't go every week...once a month and stock up....ordering over the internet with free shipping.

I have lived in Calgary and in CNP
and when we first came here 14 years ago food,gas etc were competitive and we always shopped here. Taxes,garbage pickup were way less. Wages are higher in Calgary..therefore rents are higher but not that much. For a dumpy little house here you can pay 6-700 a month. Calgary would not allow those houses there...so you get what you pay for. For 800 a month you get to rent a nice modern duplex or townhouse not something that is on the verge of being uninhabitable.

Chloe said...

First Economic Task Force meeting held in private. Deja vu Bridgecreek. Secret meetings, levies waived, permits waived, delusional developers given free rein to leave carnage in their wake.What part do the good folks of CNP not understand?

Anonymous said...

Ya seems like business as usual in CNP politics. The Bridgecreek Boys have disappeared and must be living off their "hard earned money" in their tropical paradise..Olympia trust is looking for payment of unpaid Bridgecreek bills from who else?, the victims of course. How much can one group of people be fleeced?
The former mayor is "retired" and has washed hs hands from his responsiblilties in this fiasco. Some stranger, Jon Mintoft is apparantly swooping in to save the day and pay everyone back..oh brother.
The new Mayor doesn't seem to care that a crime has allegedly taken place down here and who knows who is involved...and the landscape drving through Blairmore next to highway 3 looks attrocious..
Gee I wonder who will pay for the cleanup?
Anyone see that white elephant in the room?
Oh, the RCMP is involved again I've been told...a slice of good news in this whole rediculous mess!!