Ad Hoc Community (Now named the Crowsnest Advisory Committee or for short CAC)

Members of the Committee
From Council – These were picked at a council meeting when the Mayor requested volunteers, only three members of council stepped forward, kept the selection process fairly simple, if somebody else had stepped forth we would have held a vote.
John Irwin, John Salus, Dean Ward

From Community Futures- These were picked by the board its self only one member of council sits on this board, so council out side of that member had zero input into their selections.
Bill Kovach, John Slupsky, Shane Stewart

From Chamber of Commerce- I was told that they selected their members by a vote of the board of directors, from amongst the members that stepped forth. Again an internal process and from what I know no member of council is a Chamber Director so again zero input from council.
Richard Buckle, Lowry Toombs, Jenine Trotz

The accusation of the Board being dominated by the “old school” people that are unwilling to look at or accept change. Looking at this list in my humble opinion I only see one “old school”, will that individual dominate the other eight?

Public Involvement- yes council asked the board to again look at this issue, and we did most of the board felt it is very important to get the public involved in this process, quickly and effectively. Did the board agree to do this at the board level? No, at another equally important level? Yes

We requested that council approve a budget for up to a $1000 (which they did June 2) to start advertising for members of the public to participate on two sub committees. For two very important issues “Community Beautification initiative” and “Signage Bylaws”. This is a start for this process and will determine how effective CAC will be, hopefully the public will step forth.

At our meeting on June 1st we also approved the Terms of Reference for the committee which in part specified that sub committees will be made up jointly of members from the board and the public, but under no circumstances will the board be in a majority position on sub committees.

Within the terms of reference there is also a provision that the terms must be reviewed on an annual basis, and more often if a majority of the board feels they are not working.

We hope to be reviewing the names for the first sub committees at our next meeting and have the process started in July.

Were individuals promised a position on this board, not that I am aware of, were people encouraged to step forth and join the process? Absolutely, that opportunity will be provided shortly, and yes I am going out to encourage every person that as ever complained to me to step up and put their name in for these committees. Personally I see Community Beautification as one of the biggest issues we face. Do you have any idea how many times I hear criticism about some of the pig pens that are allowed to flourish in this community?

Anyway the CAC is not be perfect, but it as started and between all of us I feel we are going in the right direction and have the chance to do some really good things in the Crowsnest Pass.