Will the politicians listen?

Will the politicians listen? About the Hillcrest Fire Hall or any other issue.

I would like to say if enough people speak up? Yes
But I am really starting to lose faith in that but never the less people need to speak up in the sense that you can send a message now that you are not happy and you will not be happy in October either.

How can you do that,  call the politicians they took the position they should expect the public to talk to them. They spend every Tuesday night talking about how all these people are telling them to "keep up the good work", "your on the right track", "can't wait for you to walk on water two days before the election". Well maybe once in a while they will receive a comment that's not so positive.

Talk to them about the Hillcrest Fire Hall and keep in mind a few things the $49,000 they will save a year does not just come from closing the hall, it also comes from a significant reduction in the number of Firemen this community will have and the lessor cost of providing gear for them.

What can $49,000 a year get us the taxpayers? A new brand, 2 more pick up driving around town, five months wages for a Director, the COP speed trap sitting at the high school three nights a week for the rest of the year, six months wages for a deputy Fire Chief, the opportunity to send council members to conventions, one quarter of the new entry signage to the community.    

Let these people know how you feel call them at the numbers below, vote on the poll available on the Promoter site at the address below.


http://www.crowsnestpasspromoter.com/2013/02/20/fire-plan-calls-for-closure-of-hillcrest-hall

Bruce Decoux 562 7743

Larry Mitchell 562 8537

Jerry Londsbury 562 2405

Seigbert Gail 564 4465

Brian Gallant 562 7963

Emile Saindon 753 2403

Andrew Saje 563 8584

Remember these guys still have to vote on March 5.

Editorial in today's Pass Promoter

Joni MacFarlane
Editorial

Once again the Crowsnest Pass makes headlines and once again it's for the wrong reasons. The turmoil surrounding the firing of the fire chief, the subsequent walk out by a majority of firefighters and the public protest that followed again reinforce our image in a negative light.

Responsibility for this falls squarely on municipal council. 

Despite lip service to the contrary, this council's lack of communication to the public about what exactly they are trying to achieve and public consultation on how they are doing it is staggering. Their disdain for taxpayers and for spending their money was on track for a train wreck and that wreck is now. 

It doesn't matter how many consultants are hired or how much time is spent on a strategic plan if the public doesn't buy into it. Without a majority of support, council can't continue to govern with a "Father Knows Best" attitude.

Rightly or wrongly, there is a pervasive belief among the public that council sees them as fools; too dumb or too unworthy to be told or trusted with the truth. Exclusion into decision-making has given them little reason to think otherwise. 

Residents of the Crowsnest Pass are not fools and as now clearly seen, are not willing to sit idly by as elected officials dictate how things will be. 

This is not about accepting change. This is about effectively listening to what people want, to changing those things that should be changed and leaving those that worked, alone. 

The fire department worked. 

Henry Ford said the secret to success is to understand the point of view of others. That's the starting point.

JLM

Rum Runner Days weekend

As I previously reported council, specifically Mayor Decoux raised several issues in regard to Rum Runner Days, and the Thunder in the Valley event, further to those comments Joni raises the isuue in the Promoter Editorial today.

http://www.crowsnestpasspromoter.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2930355

In addition the Promoter provides an opportunity for the community to vote, for their opinion as to whether the weekend is benefical to the community or not, whichever side you stand on this issue here is your chance to at least vote on it.

http://www.crowsnestpasspromoter.com/