Had a chance today to tour the 2nd floor of the MD McEachern School for the Crowsnest Pass Adult Education component of the facility.
What a great job has been done by our staff and the good folks that moved over there, the rooms are bright, clean and well laid out.
Spoke to some of the people running the various programs they are very happy with the facility, the staff are treating them well, the facility is great and they have all of the technology they require.
Everybody when they get the opportunity should take a ride up to Bellevue check out the facility and see what courses these great groups have to offer.
I can still remember when I said to council "imagine placing an education facility in a school".
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
My position on concerns raised at the Crowsnest Pass Forum
Question: Building of a Recreation Centre including a Indoor Swimming Pool.
I have addressed this issue previously here but I will reinforce my position again.
This is something this community needs in the worse way, the issue of course which we all recognize is how do we pay for it and would the taxpayers be prepared to make a twenty five year commitment.
My position would be that council would direct administration to come up with a business plan, design, costs etc, and sources of revenue, ie. Federal/Provincial grants, Corporate opportunities, and fundraising. Then determine what it would cost the Municipality for the capital costs (that's why I use the 25 year number) and ongoing operations. Calculate exactly what its going to cost the individual tax payer in additional taxation.
Provide all this information to the taxpayer and let them decide if they wish to proceed in a plebiscite.
Question: Should we do more to enforce the Bear Smart Bylaw.
Of course we live in an area where this issue can not be ignored, we also have to find ways especially in the country residential areas to encourage people to work with this. Lots of them already do but for the ones that don't we have to find ways to help. Enforcement yes but education first.
Question: Road Conditions, Pot holes etc
Over the last few years we have spent $20 million on infrastructure under the ground, we are now reaching the point where the major jobs have been done, we need to focus now on the roads themselves, I recognize that we have a problem I drive these streets every day of the week.
But we also need to take a look at the way we do our road maintenance program, right now we basically take the dollars that we allow for repairing roads and chase the areas that have the worse problems or where the people scream the loudest. That only works short term we need to come up with a long term plan that is maintained year after year.
For example the District of Sparwood does 10% of its roads every year.
Please keep in mind I was sitting at the far end of the forum so if I do not have your question exactly right, please let me know.
I have addressed this issue previously here but I will reinforce my position again.
This is something this community needs in the worse way, the issue of course which we all recognize is how do we pay for it and would the taxpayers be prepared to make a twenty five year commitment.
My position would be that council would direct administration to come up with a business plan, design, costs etc, and sources of revenue, ie. Federal/Provincial grants, Corporate opportunities, and fundraising. Then determine what it would cost the Municipality for the capital costs (that's why I use the 25 year number) and ongoing operations. Calculate exactly what its going to cost the individual tax payer in additional taxation.
Provide all this information to the taxpayer and let them decide if they wish to proceed in a plebiscite.
Question: Should we do more to enforce the Bear Smart Bylaw.
Of course we live in an area where this issue can not be ignored, we also have to find ways especially in the country residential areas to encourage people to work with this. Lots of them already do but for the ones that don't we have to find ways to help. Enforcement yes but education first.
Question: Road Conditions, Pot holes etc
Over the last few years we have spent $20 million on infrastructure under the ground, we are now reaching the point where the major jobs have been done, we need to focus now on the roads themselves, I recognize that we have a problem I drive these streets every day of the week.
But we also need to take a look at the way we do our road maintenance program, right now we basically take the dollars that we allow for repairing roads and chase the areas that have the worse problems or where the people scream the loudest. That only works short term we need to come up with a long term plan that is maintained year after year.
For example the District of Sparwood does 10% of its roads every year.
Please keep in mind I was sitting at the far end of the forum so if I do not have your question exactly right, please let me know.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Responses to concerns raised at the forum
I wrote down the concerns raised at the forum over the next week I will attempt to answer as many as I can. The first one was the issue of the 4-3 and the secret meeting of council members.
Election 2010-Did you know?
During the debate over the Crowsnest Centre the Mayor created the impression that the 4-3 vote was a common process,
More than 95% of council motions are NOT determined by 4-3.
On the Centre debate it was, but not on many other issues.
All seven members of council dug in their heals and took a strong position. Nobody asked Irwin, Taje or Mitchell why they did not change their stand?
The Mayor and his team raised the issue of councillors meeting outside of council chambers. Was this true? On the Centre issue - Yes.
Now let’s put the whole truth on the table and go to the municipal web site or stop at the office and ask for a copy of the Organizational Reports.
On Page 62 of the Cuff Report (2009) it states the following “Both the majority group on Council and those deemed to be the opposition have met as separate groups before council meetings to discuss the issues”
On Page 39 of the Activation Analysis Report (2000), it states the following “There is currently a perception of block voting by the Mayor and councillors, with many items receiving the same spilt vote”
Its very interesting to hear the group of three scolding the other members of council for what they were doing themselves, and in some cases doing so for ten years or more.
For more information check out my Blog at crowsnestpasshome.blogspot.com/ or phone at 563 4128, email deanward4@msn.com.
On October 18 vote for Dean Ward
Election 2010-Did you know?
During the debate over the Crowsnest Centre the Mayor created the impression that the 4-3 vote was a common process,
More than 95% of council motions are NOT determined by 4-3.
On the Centre debate it was, but not on many other issues.
All seven members of council dug in their heals and took a strong position. Nobody asked Irwin, Taje or Mitchell why they did not change their stand?
The Mayor and his team raised the issue of councillors meeting outside of council chambers. Was this true? On the Centre issue - Yes.
Now let’s put the whole truth on the table and go to the municipal web site or stop at the office and ask for a copy of the Organizational Reports.
On Page 62 of the Cuff Report (2009) it states the following “Both the majority group on Council and those deemed to be the opposition have met as separate groups before council meetings to discuss the issues”
On Page 39 of the Activation Analysis Report (2000), it states the following “There is currently a perception of block voting by the Mayor and councillors, with many items receiving the same spilt vote”
Its very interesting to hear the group of three scolding the other members of council for what they were doing themselves, and in some cases doing so for ten years or more.
For more information check out my Blog at crowsnestpasshome.blogspot.com/ or phone at 563 4128, email deanward4@msn.com.
On October 18 vote for Dean Ward
Democracy is alive and well in the Crowsnest Pass
Well the political Forum came and went last night, was very surprised and impressed with the turn out, especially when I read about a number of communities that can not even get enough people to run.
The Chamber did a very good job and I was impressed with the way the moderator (Val Danielson) controlled the meeting.
The down side was that we tried to learn about candidates, their positions, and get a sense of their abilities to lead this community in a span of less than three hours.
Very difficult to say the least some people impressed me some did not, but then we only had four opportunities to speak basically four and a half minutes.
Its really tough because there was five people there that I have never met before or heard speak.
Its really hard to judge what if somebody was having a off night?
Anyway irregardless its going to be an interesting campaign for the next three weeks.
The Chamber did a very good job and I was impressed with the way the moderator (Val Danielson) controlled the meeting.
The down side was that we tried to learn about candidates, their positions, and get a sense of their abilities to lead this community in a span of less than three hours.
Very difficult to say the least some people impressed me some did not, but then we only had four opportunities to speak basically four and a half minutes.
Its really tough because there was five people there that I have never met before or heard speak.
Its really hard to judge what if somebody was having a off night?
Anyway irregardless its going to be an interesting campaign for the next three weeks.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Commotion about promotion in the Crowsnest Pass.
Commotion about promotion, on Tuesday September 21 I raised the issue of elected representatives participating in promoting private ventures.
The following is what I presented to council:
To eliminate the possibility, perceived or real of members of municipal council, being seen as endorsing a private corporation, development, public offering, raising of funds for a private project, or any other non-governmental process.
Motion
"Henceforth no member of council shall be permitted to endorse any project, appear in any promotional video, pamphlet, or publication of any type, or attend shareholders meetings, without first presenting to council the reasons for such involvement and receiving its approval".
This motion in no way intends to limit a councilor’s ability to do the following:
Volunteer at a function, or an event put on by a private group.
Attend a shareholders meeting as a private citizen, or investor.
Appear in various types of marketing, or promotional material that promotes the community itself.
I believe politicians cross a line when they are seen or even perceived to be seen as promoting a private enterprise. Promote the community absolutely but not a business. This may come back to bite us in the rear end. Council directed administration to bring back a policy for this issue to our next council meeting.
Where this came from is the Mayor's appearance in the bridgegate video.
The following is what I presented to council:
To eliminate the possibility, perceived or real of members of municipal council, being seen as endorsing a private corporation, development, public offering, raising of funds for a private project, or any other non-governmental process.
Motion
"Henceforth no member of council shall be permitted to endorse any project, appear in any promotional video, pamphlet, or publication of any type, or attend shareholders meetings, without first presenting to council the reasons for such involvement and receiving its approval".
This motion in no way intends to limit a councilor’s ability to do the following:
Volunteer at a function, or an event put on by a private group.
Attend a shareholders meeting as a private citizen, or investor.
Appear in various types of marketing, or promotional material that promotes the community itself.
I believe politicians cross a line when they are seen or even perceived to be seen as promoting a private enterprise. Promote the community absolutely but not a business. This may come back to bite us in the rear end. Council directed administration to bring back a policy for this issue to our next council meeting.
Where this came from is the Mayor's appearance in the bridgegate video.
Censorship as raised its ugly Head
I hate to say this because I do not like using censorship, but its my blog so I guess I get to make the rules.
I have now received a couple of comments that refer to people in a personnel way, I will not allow this on my site. If you want to make comments for or against something I post I have no problem with that. Or about issues related to the Crowsnest Pass.
The minute you start attacking somebodies health, age or mistakes they made 15 years ago, I have no interest.
Stop being a twit and Go comment somewhere else.
I have said this before and I will not say this is again I will just delete the comment.
I have now received a couple of comments that refer to people in a personnel way, I will not allow this on my site. If you want to make comments for or against something I post I have no problem with that. Or about issues related to the Crowsnest Pass.
The minute you start attacking somebodies health, age or mistakes they made 15 years ago, I have no interest.
Stop being a twit and Go comment somewhere else.
I have said this before and I will not say this is again I will just delete the comment.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Crowsnest Pass 2007 Election results
I was asked if I would provide the results from the 2007 election.
Cole 1182
Taje 1178
Salus 1175
Ward 1172
Mitchell 1082
Macleod 1074
Sygutek 963
French 747
Janusz 694
Stolarik 582
Thomson 482
Saltarelli 397
Karasz 288
Sorry I did not keep the numbers for the Mayors position.
Cole 1182
Taje 1178
Salus 1175
Ward 1172
Mitchell 1082
Macleod 1074
Sygutek 963
French 747
Janusz 694
Stolarik 582
Thomson 482
Saltarelli 397
Karasz 288
Sorry I did not keep the numbers for the Mayors position.
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