Friday, June 15, 2012

Mayor's Corner "Shinning a light on the truth"


MAYOR'S CORNER

Hello everybody! Welcome to the first edition of our attempt to bring you the facts and truths about “things” we are doing to improve our community. Why are we doing this? Well the fact of the matter is we are getting a lot of questions; questions about what people have “heard” and “read”, heard from the local “barbershop quartet” and from the “coffee-time guys and gals” and read in the local papers. When people phone or ask the Council and myself or the administration about “what they heard” they are given the truth – without the extra little “twist” that makes gossip so spicy. As for the newspapers we have very little to do with what they write. We have received numerous complaints regarding local blogs and the numerous letters to the editors which are frequently the uninformed ramblings of unhappy people. Many of our taxpayers are concerned over the blogs, the newspapers and the letter writers. However, your Council is concerned that the information you are receiving is simply not the truth. Further to this, we now live in the age of the internet. Think of it this way: when a blogger writes a tasty bit of “twisted” gossip (or twists the truth) or when a newspaper uses a negative spin to describe your Council’s efforts, or  when the papers print a letter to the editor it goes on the internet, Alberta-wide-Canada-wide-Worldwide – forever. Now, if a person drove through the Pass and thought of moving here or starting a business the first thing they would do is go to the internet to find out about this place called Crowsnest Pass. Guess what they will see? Please remember: we are all painted with the same brush by those who are painting our picture. Only the silent majority can change this unfortunate situation. 
These are the reasons we have decided to embark on a journey of providing you with facts and truth. We are expanding our website with more and more information, we have started a Facebook page and this is our first attempt at a regular newsletter. Your Council and Administration can place only so much information on these three sources so if we miss anything please call myself, the Councillors or our Administration for the unvarnished facts and truth. I am busy but never too busy to talk with you.

Comment: Well I am sad to say that the end is near for all forms of media in the Crowsnest Pass the freedom to express one's self is coming to an end.  We will no longer need newspapers that use the "negative spin" those people writing the letters to the editor based on "the uniformed ramblings of unhappy people" or the "twisted" gossip on  blogs.  
The silent majority needs to change this "unfortunate situation, we no longer need radio, newspapers, blogs, just call the municipal administration or a member of council they will tell you "the unvarnished facts and truth".
Where will we get our hair cut or go for a coffee? maybe the "barbershop quartet" or the "coffee time guys and gals"  will want to talk about politics, will they have the "unvarnished facts and truth" to have a proper discussion? Will they need to just contact administration or your council prior to discussing politics with their friends or customers.
The only question I have is who will determine  the correct positive spin in the paper, that letters to the editor are probably informed and only written by happy people, or that only untwisted comments are placed on blogs.  Maybe the next administrator that's hired could be in charge of the Department of "Unvarnished facts and truth" and make sure that all newspapers, letter writers, and blog owners conform.     
Please take a moment and answer the poll on the right hand side.
   

54 comments:

Anonymous said...

I think it is great that you published the Mayor's statement. As far as what gets published in the paper, that has been an ongoing issue for years and years. I personally think they should not have anything to do with either papers. And he is absolutely right. A person that is spurned obviously has a bad attitude and degrade everything about the area. Although I think people are probably smart enough to figure it out. I have gotten so I believe nothing I read.

Anonymous said...

I emailed the Mayor and did not get a response. I also noticed on the blogs by the councilors that they do NOT answer questions directly but skirt the issue.And if these councilors wanted the TRUTH to be transparent they would continue to blog and have open debate on their forum.

John Prince said...

This is scary. They must be very frightened and desperate to resort to something like this, while at the same time maintaining living in their bubble, still trying to keep their distance from a hostile public, refusing to engage those of us who are not mesmerised by their brilliance and good governance.

Mayor and council should stop listening to their over-paid consultants and instead get out from their ivory towers and away from their elite circles for a change and actually meet with ordinary residents (like me for example), that they are supposed to be representing too. Then, and only then, will they be in a position of possessing "unvarnished facts and truth".

In the meantime, it just shows how majorly disconnected from reality these people really are. Sad! Really sad!!

Where does the power of the state end, and where does the freedom of thought and expression by the individual begin, is the question I would put to his Worship, ‘Pompous Bruce’, in his hateful diatribe of a Mayor’s Corner newsletter rag?


JP

p.s. Excellent comment, Dean. One that I totally agree with. Good post that should engender much comment, I hope.

Anonymous said...

So 10:47 reading your comment

"A person that is spurned obviously has a bad attitude and degrade everything about the area"

Dose this mean after the next election you will have nothing "negative" to say?

Alex

Anonymous said...

The following came from the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

Everyone has the following fundamental freedoms:
(a) freedom of conscience and religion;
(b) freedom of thought, belief, opinion and expression, including freedom of the press and other media of communication;
(c) freedom of peaceful assembly; and
(d) freedom of association.


Are we to believe that this does not apply in the Crowsnest Pass?

Anonymous said...

Dean

What really bothers me is that I agree with some of the Mayors comments. But what happens the day I don't?

Anne

Anonymous said...

It sounds to me like when the Big development/hotel does not open here next year. It will be the fault of the newspapers, blog's and those Bas***ds at the barber shop quartet.

Evil people

Anonymous said...

Hard to believe that this was actually released to the public. What a sad, poorly written message to come from an office that claims the highest standards of professionalism and apparently holds itself in quite high regard. Although given his recent interview, err...press release, I guess we shouldn't expect anything less.

Sorry, Mister Mayor and Council, you are publicly elected officials who are accountable to the citizens of the Crowsnest Pass. The "woe is me" connotation of the entire piece is a disgrace to all the residents of the community and the spirit of free speech.

Communicate your facts, by all means, but don't start calling out the residents and media unless you are prepared to cite specific examples. This is no different than what you're accusing them of doing.

CNP, as a Municipality, is already the laughing-stock of the province and this is inaugural newsletter is certainly not going to help change that.

Time to grow up, boys.

Anonymous said...

Dean I am really confused.
I have spent the last 30 minutes looking at your blog and trying to figure out what you have said that would have any impact on my family choosing to live here or not.
?????????????

Are we living in a state of paranoid here or what????????

Now I realize why they want the community peace officers to impose the "unvarnished facts and truth".

Anonymous said...

Censorship is the suppression of speech or other public communication which may be considered objectionable, harmful, sensitive, or inconvenient as determined by a government, media outlet, or other controlling body.

Anonymous said...

When are we going to hear from the consolers that we elected to represent us? Thanks Dean and Crowsnest Pass Promoter for not cowering to this dictatorship and bulling! What a sad day in Crowsnest Pass when we are told what to think say,believe, shut up and pay our taxes.

Anonymous said...

in a word - embarassing.

nice job stereotyping the taxpaying coffee drinking hairdressers of the Pass.

Anonymous said...

It is really no different here than in any other small town. The only difference being there are just a lot of people that are always on defensive and wanting to cause trouble. Nothing is any different from 20 years ago. Just as good a place to live as anywhere -- taxes are reasonable when you compare to other places also.

Anonymous said...

Comrade Bruce the USSR is calling

Anonymous said...

Is there going to be a new bylaw banning the right of freedom of speech? All heil Hitler

Anonymous said...

Look what's on the agenda for tuesday afternoon.

a) Bylaw No. 842, 2012 – Business License Bylaw
b) Bylaw No. 843, 2012 – Safety Codes Services Fee Bylaw
c) Bylaw No. 855, 2012 – Fees, Rates and Charges Bylaw

I wonder if they are discussing dropping some of these rates?

No I shouldn't make that negative statement remember they could be worse. There is a place in Northern Quebec that charges higher rates that us. (Positive spin)

Anonymous said...

"These are the reasons we have decided to embark on ... "

Who is "we", exactly?
For starters, how about giving us the minutes of the meeting where this was discussed and decided and which Councillors voted for it?

This is an admission that they are conducting illegal secret back-room meetings.

Anonymous said...

I'm speechless!!

Anonymous said...

Hello, does the elevator ever reach the top? Once this kind of thinking takes root among the top officials - next thing they will want is a Committee of Experts to Interpret the Truth.

Anonymous said...

Anon 9:39 ...

They don't need to have backroom meetings in a dictatorship. The monarch refers to him(her)self as "We".

Anonymous said...

"we now live in the age of the internet"

Where has the mayor been for the last 15 years?

Anonymous said...

This is the Crowsnest Pass, Canada in the 21st century.
Thousands of people are giving up there lifes in Syria right now.
Just to have the freedoms we take for granted.

Unbeliveable

Anonymous said...

So are you telling me that the Mayor thinks he can tell people what they can or can't write.
The tone of the message must meet his requirements of being positive.
What would be his definition of positive?
Am I ever glad I picked Sparwood to buy a house.

This really is a big black eye for the Crowsnest Pass. It is indeed very sad because the Crowsnest Pass is a beautiful place.

Matt

Anonymous said...

Our saviour has spoken! We should all just follow blindly. It’s not easy walking on water. (positive spin)

Anonymous said...

Anonymous 8:32AM said...
"we now live in the age of the internet"

Where has the mayor been for the last 15 years?


He was some sort of educator. You could ask him - he says "please call myself", although he didn't give himself's phone number.

Or you could try that newfangled internet thingy:
execasst@crowsnestpass.com

Anonymous said...

The truth is out there....

apparently the Mayor has found it.

Anonymous said...

Not really sure who picks where or what it matters. Everyone lives somewhere and governmental issues never really change that much. Have fun paying the HST tax though. You even give the government more to squander.

Anonymous said...

I actually see nothing wrong with the mayor's response. I think they take hits from bloggers every day. I think he was pretty mild myself.

Anonymous said...

Dean

Latest gossip we are loosing another member of our administration shortly. See if you can guess which one.

How do we put a positive spin on that?

Anonymous said...

I don't see where losing an admin person is that tragic. It happens all the time in the real world.

Anonymous said...

Crowsnest Pass is such a beautiful place. This too shall pass.

Anonymous said...

5:04 Its tragic because we can not hang on to good staff for any length of time.

Anonymous said...

Our top leadership are becoming ever more famous for the display of their thin skin. Sunblock would be a good idea.

Anonymous said...

Not sure if we are able to judge if they are good or not. Again, nothing new, happens all the time. And not the end of the world. Sometimes new blood is better, if it is not a relative or a friend, or a friend of a friend of a friend.

Anonymous said...

This new blood will need to show a little result before their term expires. Anon. 7:11 is right, nothing new so far.

Anonymous said...

All this rumour, speculation and gossip is about things that should have been discussed and voted on in open Council or committee meetings according to the MGA and FOIP.

Anonymous said...

Funny how the councillors do not write on their own blogs, yet write on this one and attempt to make concerned tax payers look like they are being ridiculous for expecting accountability. It’s so easy to pick them out! Keep up the good work Dean.

Anonymous said...

Do you think they will install listening devices in the coffee and barber shops?

Anonymous said...

Dean the Mayor and his council would have had a nervous breakdown if they were placed under the microscope by the Herald that the previous council had to deal with.

Anonymous said...

Will the public have the opportunity to censor what the Mayor says in his newsletters?

Anonymous said...

Craving for respect is not a good thing.

Anonymous said...

Yes Mr Mayor your right before I pick a place to live I am going to check the tone of the local media and blogs !!!!!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

From what I have been reading on this blog, and others, I can see that this is a very strange place to be living. You eat your own. I would really like to know who would be brave enough to run for Mayor and Council in the next election. You all voted for change, and you have it, and from what I can see, it's for the betterment of this community. Now you are complaining about it.
Talk about living in a forest and not seeing the trees.

Anonymous said...

"Pick a place to live"?????

Eaney meaney miney mo.

Anonymous said...

I just heard there is a town hall meeting on the 21st of this month at the Elks hall.I must be slipping as usually I know about these things well in advance. Does anybody know when this meeting was announced and what the agenda is?

Anonymous said...

Yes town hall meeting at 5:00 at Elks. Beef on a bun supplied before. On the radio this morning.

Anonymous said...

To Sun Jun 17, 10:40:00 PM 2012

It is only a few people that keep things going that are negative. Mostly "sour grapes" people. Most people are really happy and feel lucky to live here. Don't believe everything you see on the blogs. It is awesome here. I don't think anyone is ever totally happy with mayors and councils. Some people here just choose to keep taking everything to another level and try to pass it on to everyone else.

Anonymous said...

From the Municipality web site:

Town Hall Meeting
June 21, 2012
Council extends an invitation to the
Public to attend a Town Hall Meeting
Thursday, June 21st at 6:30 pm
at the Elks Hall located at
2025 – 129 Street Blairmore.
Beef on a Bun will be served prior to the meeting
in the Elks Hall parking lot
commencing at 5:00 pm.
We look forward to seeing you there!

Anonymous said...

Mon 9:16

This is the greatest place on Earth I have been here for 67 years and hopefully a few more yet. My parents lived here for 15 years before I was born.
But please do not think you the Mayor or anybody else is going to tell me what I can or can't say. My parents came from a country where that was the way of life they left there for those types of reasons plus to provide their family a better life.
Once again the Crowsnest Pass is the greatest place in the world.

John

Anonymous said...

I am puzzled. I read the Mayor's message and all the above comments, and I don't understand why so many posters are freaking. What I saw in the Mayor's message was an effort at trying to communicate with the electorate and an expression of concern that the rumour mill is contributing toward a negative image of the community (which it is, along with a lot of other stuff the Mayor and Council are trying to clean up). I saw nothing to suggest that he wants to stifle discussion or that everyone has to agree with him "or else." So what's the problem? I think a lot of folks need to settle down -- maybe take a few Valiums or something. We have a Mayor and Council who are working hard to improve this place, and I fully support them, even though I may not always agree with them. That's democracy folks.

Anonymous said...

So it looks like this meeting was announced about a week ago.Pretty short time period.Is there a big announcment coming, hotel perhaps? Or are we all going to be told that we better be nice.
If it happens to be the hotel thought, are they not suppose to announce this by press release as soon as the papers are signed so that no one in the marketplace has an unfair advantage.

Anonymous said...

To Anon 11:33 Democracy comes with a totaly transparent council. This council decides most things behind closed doors and are making decisions that most of us do not understand and disagree with, which is closer to a dictatorship.
Examples Thunder, Peace officers, Taxes and utility bills, more staff in the office, raising the tax penalty fee are all things that most people are not in favour of.
I agree that we all should be more positive but council has handed out nothing but negative news so far.Hopefully this will change soon!!

Anonymous said...

Well how would you describe this news our Public Works Supt is leaving.

Put the positive or negative spin on this! you pick

Anonymous said...

This is a great place to live, and neither what this council has done so far, nor the few people venting a little on the blogs, will change this. Relax a little - would be in order. Some people take themselves too seriously.