tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3170383155508070340.post4713018573819246186..comments2023-08-13T05:48:46.583-06:00Comments on Crowsnest Pass Home: Municipal Spending-Ratepayers Petition-Ignoring the Numbers Crowsnest Pass Homehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05045130138290202472noreply@blogger.comBlogger35125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3170383155508070340.post-32230217199264879892012-10-28T20:56:23.834-06:002012-10-28T20:56:23.834-06:00A lot of this discussion has been about politics a...A lot of this discussion has been about politics and personalities and whether some decisions or actions are good or bad.<br /><br />I think we should be a bit more concerned with how things are done - those boring legalities and procedures.<br /><br />For example, the proper legal way to do the new, improved RRD2012 (after the trashing of TiTV) would have been for a Councillor to move to invest $100,000 with the hope of getting back half of it. The prospect of voting for or against this motion might have activated a few brain cells in some Councillors.<br /><br />But, as it went, there was no vote to authorize the spending or anything else. Councillors sleep-walked through it. So when/if the RRD report is produced they must either retroactively authorize the spending or toss whoever wrote the cheques "under the bus". (I don't think they can get away with $100,000 of "creative accounting").<br /><br />BTW, I ran across this this Edmonton informational document:<br /><a href="http://sirepub.edmonton.ca/sirepub/view.aspx?cabinet=published_meetings&fileid=137950" rel="nofollow">Councillors’ Legal Duties and Penalties</a> (page 3 of PDF)<br /><br /><i><b>"A Councillor may be disqualified from holding office if he or she:<br />...<br />11. Becomes civilly liable to the municipality for spending money which is not in a City budget unless it is an emergency or legally required to be paid."</b></i><br /><br />This summarizes these bits of the MGA:<br /><br />Reasons for disqualification<br />174(1) A councillor is disqualified from council if<br />...<br /> (k) the councillor <b>is liable to the municipality</b> under section 249.<br /><br />Civil liability of councillors<br />249(1) A councillor who<br /> (a) makes an expenditure that is not authorized under section 248,<br />...<br /><b>is liable to the municipality</b> for the expenditure or amount spent.<br /><br />Expenditure of money<br />248(1) A municipality may only make an expenditure that is<br /> (a) included in an operating budget, interim operating budget or capital budget or otherwise authorized by the council,<br /> (b) for an emergency, or<br /> (c) legally required to be paid.<br /><br />Resignation on disqualification<br />175(1) A councillor that is disqualified must resign immediately.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3170383155508070340.post-71880150873159339522012-10-28T16:21:28.379-06:002012-10-28T16:21:28.379-06:00Anon. 2:30, We should also give Kudos to the previ...Anon. 2:30, We should also give Kudos to the previous council, and especially the four horsemen who have taken so much heat at the time, in order for this to happen today. This is why our present council should not view everything that came before them as being wrong. They are putting too much effort fixing everything, even things which should not be fixed. But we should give them credit when it is due as well. So, not everything is wrong today - just as much as not everything was wrong before. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3170383155508070340.post-35958219230267482672012-10-28T15:30:53.990-06:002012-10-28T15:30:53.990-06:00John said the Holiday Inn is confirmed.
Kudos to...John said the Holiday Inn is confirmed. <br />Kudos to Council. I would think this is one of the most significant things to happen in the Pass.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3170383155508070340.post-3788342604612659462012-10-28T14:47:20.243-06:002012-10-28T14:47:20.243-06:00The petition is a good thing - no matter where any...The petition is a good thing - no matter where anyone stands in this debate, because it is very obvious there is very little transparent debate in council. If they have any meaningful debates, these must be behind the closed doors. They promised transparency before the election and then apparently decided that debates in council would somehow detract from the “serious policy work” that had to be done in order to bring us into the 21St Century. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3170383155508070340.post-53482437198075679632012-10-28T13:17:35.460-06:002012-10-28T13:17:35.460-06:00Anom 3:17 you sure gave me something to think abou...Anom 3:17 you sure gave me something to think about. Looking back I have to say I was caught up in all the negative press toward the “Four Horsemen” (of the Apocalypse) and the chaos they were bringing to our community with their divisive 4-3 votes in council. In hindsight it now looks like there was freedom of thought, debate and disagreement and in the end it was democracy at work. I would love to see some freedom of thought and debate with this council. If we ever see a 4-3 vote from this council it would be a welcome change. Having said that I know it is very hard for a council to sort through all the miss information put out by some very skill bullies (some in the community and some in administration) who are self serving.<br />JamesAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3170383155508070340.post-22539786745461804772012-10-28T11:39:03.886-06:002012-10-28T11:39:03.886-06:00Anon 3:17 100% correct
The question now is , Have...Anon 3:17 100% correct<br /> The question now is , Have the voters learned who they can trust as most would not do there own research.One of the reasons that Prince got so few votes last election can also be dropped onto Lisas lap.I am ready to give this guy his shot, he does seem very passionate about the CNP.Ward will also get my vote.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3170383155508070340.post-66977717348987062292012-10-28T10:53:50.833-06:002012-10-28T10:53:50.833-06:00At the very minimum, the petition will dispel this...At the very minimum, the petition will dispel this crazy notion that there is a " silent majority " supporting our council. They probably think that they just need to "stay the course," and one day the rest of us will be grateful for all they have done. At this time we just can't appreciate what needs to be done because our minds are poisoned by rumors and "untruths." We did vote them in, so when all is said and done we can't blame them for everything. However, in the meantime we can't just sit here like a bunch of " students" who just need to be educated. This is why signing this petition is so important for everyone who values small community volunteerism and a small community way life. There are a lot of people, who are now gone, who form the foundations on which our community stands. There is no need to mess with these foundations and pick a fight with every group, board or association. A small comment can't afford, nor should have a need, to run everything out of the municipal office.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3170383155508070340.post-5893794838683311952012-10-28T08:09:13.359-06:002012-10-28T08:09:13.359-06:00I really agree with Peter on this one. Ratepayers...I really agree with Peter on this one. Ratepayers is just giving people a platform.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3170383155508070340.post-4943388273350256212012-10-27T19:18:47.460-06:002012-10-27T19:18:47.460-06:00I remember that evening very well and have never f...I remember that evening very well and have never forgotten the people who were in attendance. Grown "MEN" hiding under Lisas skirt. Now they are known as the ratepayers. When i attended the October 11/2012 ratepayers meeting it was like de ja vu Same people different agenda this time around. I have mixed feelings about this group for they are basically good people, they just dont want to stick their neck out and get on council. However they want to tell council how to run things. This time around is different though this council has even gotten under my skin with their arrogance towards the public. Their decietful lies and underhanded manner in which they handled the fire departments and other volunteer boards. They really take us for a bunch of dummies. I guess we really had a prelude to what this council was going to be like when they tried to uproot those residents from the trailer park along the river in Blairmore. What a heartless cowardly way of handling those residents. I know this group of ratepayers has some members who are taking advantage of the hostility towards this council and may in fact run in the next election. But what are they really offering they are just getting mileage out of this.peter rosnernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3170383155508070340.post-24265357818222986212012-10-27T16:17:24.403-06:002012-10-27T16:17:24.403-06:00Anom. 11:02 am
The election of the present council...Anom. 11:02 am<br />The election of the present council, weather you view them good or bad lays squarely at the feet of the Pass Herald. During the previous term, second term councilor Dean Ward and three other councilors decided the open cheque book for CLC was a poor use of public funds. Lisa did not take kindly to their action as she had become accustom to her unaccountability and entitlement as CLC manager. She used her community influence to rally some blind followers (not Peter Rosner, for an insightful read get his Dec 10th 2008 letter to the editor on Lisa’s conduct) http://www.crowsnestpasspromoter.com/2008/12/11/public-meeting-not-open-minded. Her enthusiastic followers went door to door working diligently signing up a petition to throw out the offending councilors. The petition was rejected by the Alberta government. Lisa is not one to take defeat so she used the Pass Herald to “Poison the Public Mind” (phrase borrowed from John Price) toward the four councilors. I have to admit it was surprising to seeing how effective a weekly newspaper spewing negativity toward the four councilors was. They were soundly defeated in the 2010 election. The present council mistakenly thinks their election success is a mandate to do what ever they want with out public debate. Last election we accepted the weekly newspaper reporting as truthful and gave our minds over to Lisa in the polling booth. We did not vote for this council we voted against the previous one based on Lisa’s weekly negative thoughts.<br />She misused the Pass Harold to orchestrate HER CHANGE but she does not appear to be happy with the fruit of HER scheming.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3170383155508070340.post-83157276085657808832012-10-27T14:09:50.972-06:002012-10-27T14:09:50.972-06:00Yes, the major had a landslide victory over the ot...Yes, the major had a landslide victory over the other two incumbents. I guess I can see the correctness of the statement he was voted in to not let the other two in. Big time. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3170383155508070340.post-51347297503519835662012-10-27T12:02:25.597-06:002012-10-27T12:02:25.597-06:00Looking at the municipal effort in both newspapers...Looking at the municipal effort in both newspapers, it appears our council is in some type of a collective denial. One would hope at least some councilors are asking, what brought us to this point, if everything is going so well?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3170383155508070340.post-39217767972919895132012-10-26T21:19:30.604-06:002012-10-26T21:19:30.604-06:00Change is very hard - inept change is much harder....Change is very hard - inept change is much harder.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3170383155508070340.post-86673904652545628132012-10-26T18:13:43.191-06:002012-10-26T18:13:43.191-06:00Anon @ 10:18:
Most people voted for the mayor beca...Anon @ 10:18:<br />Most people voted for the mayor because they didn't want the other 2 candidates to get in.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3170383155508070340.post-33377268726586687412012-10-26T12:02:07.328-06:002012-10-26T12:02:07.328-06:00I hope next time somebody runs a campaign on "...I hope next time somebody runs a campaign on "CHANGE" people ask what that means exactly. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3170383155508070340.post-65896904054376198962012-10-26T11:21:59.960-06:002012-10-26T11:21:59.960-06:00The voters need to educate themselves better and m...The voters need to educate themselves better and make the best decision as they can, as we do for all elections. <br />But no matter what, you can still get the wrong person after all. <br />Always the next election to fix it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3170383155508070340.post-61072188005726807652012-10-26T11:18:08.369-06:002012-10-26T11:18:08.369-06:00Do you know how many people told me they voted for...Do you know how many people told me they voted for our Mayor for two reasons. The first being the "Last Name" second being that he was so educated. I ask those people did you know anything about the person other than that? The general response "No" Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3170383155508070340.post-48000096259197494712012-10-26T10:48:40.003-06:002012-10-26T10:48:40.003-06:00The serious problem, as John mentioned, is everyon...The serious problem, as John mentioned, is everyone acting like sheep. We have seen what happens when people did try to give a different opinion. Not too good. But I still think elections are the way to go; everyone gets a voice. The ratepayers are not doing that. It is for a few people, grandstanding a lot.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3170383155508070340.post-38775225153436059762012-10-26T10:24:42.095-06:002012-10-26T10:24:42.095-06:00JP
Good comment,
I am really worried that people...JP <br /><br />Good comment,<br />I am really worried that people are not catching the real point here. It does not matter if you like the council the ratepayers which ever. <br />The strength of this petition plus all the noise you hear going with it.<br />Indicates that there is a serious problem in this community.<br /><br />Like wise to you John this is a great place to live. Been here for 48 years would not live any where else despite all the BS.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3170383155508070340.post-78103352288703983572012-10-26T08:23:31.202-06:002012-10-26T08:23:31.202-06:00Anon @6:54
Don't give up on this place. This i...Anon @6:54<br />Don't give up on this place. This is the greatest place in the world to be in... even with all our present problems. <br /><br />As soon as people here stop acting like sheep by refusing to be influenced by <a href="http://blog.johnprince.ca/2012/10/gossipers-and-poisoners-of-public-mind.html" rel="nofollow">Gossipers and Poisoners of the Public Mind</a> <br />i.e. professional agitators (like a certain media outlet) working on behalf of special interests, we'll prove it. <br /><br />"Nobody can give you freedom. Nobody can give you equality or justice or anything. If you're a man, you take it."<br /><br />That starts by people thinking for themselves, rather than having others treating them like sheep telling them what to think and buying into <i>their</i> agenda. <br /><br />Remember, where all think alike, no one thinks very much. Knowing how to think empowers you far beyond those who know only what to think. When more people realize this come next election and respond accordingly, then the real change we have all been craving will finally have come to the 'beautiful' Crowsnest Pass.<br /><br />JPJohn Princehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05745039414992084651noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3170383155508070340.post-30792885963265124412012-10-26T05:53:33.535-06:002012-10-26T05:53:33.535-06:00Yes, there were a few self-serving people that rea...Yes, there were a few self-serving people that really went overboard. The town can't even have a facebook side without all the usual negative people coming out. But it will blow over. Every community has issues, they just are not as excited as we seem to be to tell the whole world. People sometimes put themselves first, not the community. Life will go on. I think some of the Ratepayers may have stabbed themselves in the back though. Tides could turn. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3170383155508070340.post-41045300390832182132012-10-25T23:42:23.924-06:002012-10-25T23:42:23.924-06:00I also voted for change.
This was promised to mea...I also voted for change.<br /><br />This was promised to mean transparency, accountability, communication, controlled spending, no tax increases and doing things according to legal processes, policies and procedures.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3170383155508070340.post-72681825084735630942012-10-25T19:54:59.515-06:002012-10-25T19:54:59.515-06:00All I can say is this negative online spew reflect...All I can say is this negative online spew reflects very poorly on our community. I have had several people from outside our community ask me "What the heck is going on in the CNP" I am embarrassed. Neither side at this point is without blame. Yet we continue to spew in all forms of media. Why would anyone want to come to this community? I know many people and businesses that have been affected negatively and are holding of, and perhaps relocating. I'm even thinking of putting my house up for sale. I am oh so done with this negativity. <br /><br />Signed: Disappointed with the CNP & Living there.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3170383155508070340.post-83234091446298316382012-10-25T17:06:43.549-06:002012-10-25T17:06:43.549-06:00Can't help but to think that this upcomming RR...Can't help but to think that this upcomming RRD report will truly mark this council's vision as to governence and their future legacy.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3170383155508070340.post-4986647435317404082012-10-25T16:13:12.091-06:002012-10-25T16:13:12.091-06:00Crowsnest Pass is a great place to live full of go...Crowsnest Pass is a great place to live full of good people. Somehow our council decided to get outside help to bring about change instead of working with resources at hand. Without the community buy-in, this big effort was bound hit the rocks. Buying full page ads will not change this.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com