MAYOR'S CORNER
It’s October and fall is here: Clear, bluer than blue skies, trees turning yellow and frosty crisp mornings. Your Council is pressing hard to continue the progress and change we promised.
This month we have had an unfortunate occurrence which resulted in a number of our firemen leaving their positions. However our administrative team managed the situation professionally and we are assured of our safety. I understand some firemen are currently re-applying for their position. Our head of Protective Services and our new Fire Chief inform us that the restructured fire service will be smaller, more efficient in its use of equipment and ultimately more cost effective contrary to some opinions expressed.
We also met with the ratepayers group. Personally I found it to be an enjoyable civil discussion in which there was an exchange of facts versus rumor, the clarification of Council objectives versus misconceptions, and a discussion of long term Council goals. Perhaps most importantly we discussed the philosophical lens through which we both view the current and future status of our community. It was determined that Council has a “glass half full” philosophy as opposed to the ratepayers “glass half empty” outlook. It was a good discussion and we agreed to disagree on some points. At the conclusion of our discussion Mr. Kovach surprised us (after such excellent discussion) by requesting that the administration reverse their decisions regarding the fire service and that the Council resign? After such an excellent productive discussion we all gave our heads a shake of consternation.
I note that once again some individual is instigating another Council recall and our ratepayers group is requesting government intervention. This seems to be becoming a habit. If with every Council you disagree with the elected representatives – petition the government and throw them out. Can you imagine what would happen across this province if this occurred in every community? I wonder what kind of impression we are creating with the government?
It appears one of our newspapers is unhappy with us and has contacted the newspaper association regarding our approach to advertising. At this time I am unaware of the details but I expect we will find out in due course.
Now on to more positive items. Please note elsewhere in this issue the various locations in which our newsletter can be picked up. We are receiving an amazing number of requests for the newsletter and many requests to publish it twice a month. I don’t think we can handle that but we will look into it. It seems like people like to have the facts.
I am pleased to announce that after months (and months) of hard work we have as promised, resolved the problem surrounding the Crowsnest Learning Centre and “old” hospital facility. The new hotel restaurant truck stop complex - is a go! The last few legal details are being ironed out and early next month we and the developers are looking forward to holding a public session to gather your input as to what you would like to see happen. Watch our website or the upcoming newsletter for information.
On the manufacturing plant status, I phoned them last week. They have confirmed that we are the location they wish to locate in. This plant produces a lot of clean hot water which needs to be cooled before it can be put back in the environment and apparently this is proving a major problem for them and delaying their decision. The moment I know what their decision is I will inform you.
We are currently in discussion with an international heavy industry which is considering Crowsnest Pass as its base. A week ago another Canadian heavy industry contacted me by phone and will be setting up a meeting with us shortly. I wouldn’t get too excited over these latter comments just yet as I believe these industries are just in the “speculation” stage.
As previously indicated your Council is working steadily on all issues. Following Mayor’s Corner you will find a letter sent directly to the Premier regarding our ongoing concerns over Highway No. 3.
In conclusion for this month I note that rumor and misinformation is still being propagated by a small minority. This suggests we need to intensify our efforts to bring you the facts and the truth. Please don’t hesitate to contact our municipal administration, our councillors or myself for the facts and the truth.
- Mayor Decoux
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Friday, October 19, 2012
Mayor's Corner for October, making the Crowsnest Pass a better place one step at a time.
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21 comments:
Personally I think our Mayor and Council are doing a wonderful job.
I would list all their incredible accomplishments that they have achieved in the last two years. Unfortunately I do not have the time today.
I also agree with the Mayor that the unfortunate occurrence in September was handled very professionally by our administration team.
Well Crowsnest Pass welcome to the 21st century.
Misty Shitz
Misty, and we paid $80,000.00 for our new Brand Name -- "Welcome To The 21st Century"?
Jose
I also agree that the Mayor has captured the Corner on the Truth. They should publish it by-monthly and have it available on the newsstands. It will be called PRAVDA.
Thanks Misty, I look forward to your list of incredible accomplishments.
As for the "unfortunate occurence" I have to disagree that administration handled this very professionaly.They looked like fools at best stumbling along with a different press release nearly everyday.
As for the new hotel, great unless it is a bcmi that is just taking the place of the one that had a fire recently in Blairmore.And if it is something differant, most of the credit must go to the previous council rather than this council.
Very informative I thought. Much better than we have ever gotten before.
Yes, it appears very factual and truthful, now if they only included the numbers from the Rum Runner Days, which still have a lot of impact on what is happening here today, one could be more happy with all this truth. Or so it only appears.
I think Misty Shitz should clear some mist from his or her brain.This person is coming across as incredibly stupid!
O Misty, you are quite mischievous.
Misty Shitz is a fake name that the mayor's wife has been using on facebook, no wonder she agrees.
If this newsletter isn't propaganda, then the Nazi's didn't use propaganda either.
For a former teacher (or whatever the heck he was) he needs to double check his grammar.
Da Mayor spoke da Truth. He is right, can't wait for next instlment!
"For a former teacher (or whatever the heck he was) he needs to double check his grammar". Why wasn't a consultant hired to do this for him?
does anyone else feel warm and fuzzy inside
Does any body remember the name of the captain of the Titanic
"The new hotel restaurant truck stop complex - is a go! The last few legal details are being ironed out"
By making this public statement, Bruce has put the developers into an improved bargaining position. If they demand last minute concessions, will Bruce walk away from the deal?
Oops, I mean the Administration, they are doing the negotiating:
M#6583-12: Councillor Gallant moved that Council authorizes Administration to enter into negotiations for the sale and development of the 2.5 ha former Crowsnest Centre Site. (June 19, 2012)
If this were a simple sale of property for market value we wouldn't have to worry about this:
MGA 70(1) If a municipality proposes to transfer or grant an estate or interest in
(a) land for less than its market value, ...
the proposal must be advertised.
(per Requirements for advertising - MGA 606)
but it appears this will be a more complex deal where the developers get the property cheaper in exchange for promises to develop it. I've no idea if or how MGA 70 would apply in that case.
And once they have title, promises aren't very enforceable, unless there is an ironclad performance bond up front (which means the developers have to put up their own money or stretch their credit). The last minute concessions will be just a "few legal details" that weaken any guarantee.
It is hard to imagine this group making anything simple. They want a boiler plated deal up front, only after this is accomplished, they want public input. What for?
"Does any body remember the name of the captain of the Titanic" It is more like the Costa Concordia which lies on its' side, abandoned, after the captain made a few selfishly foolish moves and then, when hitting rocks, was one of the first few to bail out, leaving thousands to fend for themselves.
"This plant produces a lot of clean hot water which needs to be cooled before it can be put back in the environment and apparently this is proving a major problem for them and delaying their decision. The moment I know what their decision is I will inform you."
We are getting a Nuclear Plant!
Perhaps a lot of hot air, and then they find themselves in hot water?
Oh my goodness. A nuclear plant ------ use your head.
OK, so if we have a hotel/restaurant/truck stop confirmed for the old hospital land, why do we need public input into what we want there? Or has it just been awarded to some contractor to rip down?
Some manufacturing plant has confirmed they wish to operate in this location but have a MAJOR problem with putting cooled water into the air. So basically they have just confirmed they like this area, nothing else.
International heavy industry coming here is pure speculation, nothing else.
Where are these 700 jobs you promised us?
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