My Opinion of the Inspection.
In the province of
Alberta
Municipal affairs is not going to get into the business of
settling local issues in all of these communities. Once they settle one how
many more will they have on their hand’s?
If you want more proof of this go look at the municipal
affairs site, you will see there as not been a lot of Inspections and seldom do
they go in favor of the petitioners.
What we went through last night and over the previous six
months in the Crowsnest Pass Province
of Alberta
I understand why the ratepayers started the petition I
understand why 2500 plus people signed it. We have a council that implemented “Change”,
unfortunately they did too much to fast. During the last three years in my
opinion they lost touch with the taxpayers, government cannot please everybody
but you must have a majority of the public on your side. I believe that a lot
of the 2500 were not just upset about various issues in the community but felt
that council was no longer hearing them.
Back to the report things that stood out to me:
The consultant told us that council did nothing illegal, he
also told us that they can hire and fire who ever they want, including
volunteers, he told us they can raise taxes, and cut spending where ever they
want. They can pass policies, bylaws and procedures as they see fit.
The consultant also told us we have a very limited tax base
most of which is residential, he told us that a high percentage of our
population are seniors on a fixed income. In addition he told us that combined
our mill rate and franchise fees have increased our taxes a lot. He told us
that council and administration have done a poor job communicating with the
employee’s, with the public and at times even with each other (especially when
it comes to the issue of change). He told us that labor relations at the
municipality are poor, that the relationship between management and CUPE is strained
to say the least.
The consultant also told us that this community should look
at the possibility of a “viability study” the possible breakup of the present
municipality. The consultant feels that the Crowsnest Pass as never come
together as one community since amalgamation in 1979. I disagree with that, as
one speaker so passionately stated last night every time there as been a need
for this community to come together they have. I doubt for a moment that any
future council will take that approach, would any of our rural MD neighbors
want to take on any part of the Crowsnest Pass? I doubt that to.
What Russell Farmer and the Province have told us, just five
days prior to nominations closing and thirty three days prior to the election
is you the residents of the Crowsnest
Pass
The report as really made this whole process simple if you
agree with what as happened here over the last three years re-elect this
council or like minded individuals. If you disagree with what as happened then
you better look at the alternatives.
Think long and hard before you make your choice on Oct 21st,
because if in two years you are not happy I think the Province as made it very
clear you will be wasting your time looking to them to solve your problems
34 comments:
Well said Dean.
That's what 2500 people wanted that's what they got. An investigation. Like the outcome or not.
"The consultant told us that council did nothing illegal"
There was that pecuniary interest thing. He said "The Councillor met the spirit of the Act". He could equally have said "The Councillor violated the letter of the law". He could have added that the Councillor is disqualified from office because of this. MGA 174(1)(g)
IMHO the spirit of the Act is that we have a right to know what his interests are.
Unfortunately, the courts are very reluctant to enforce this.
It really boils down to having good judgement. When Devon closed, it was imperative that the mayor and council review the affect that this would have on the immediate future operations. They did not consider this and kept the Change Program in full force. BIG BIG MISTAKE AMD POOR JUDGEMENT. The rest of the changes would have been put on hold, they were not. We are now insolvent but everyone in the Muni office is afraid to say this.
Congratulations to the Ratepayers to what they have done to advance our community as well as utilizing our provincial resources (as a taxpayer) I am so glad they are focused on moving our community forward with their actions. So glad this has improved the reputation of the CNP. So sure people and businesses will want to flock here. Read the report.
1:21 do you think council had any roll in what happened over the last three years. Why did 2500 people sign this petition? Why did it not just fizzle out like prior petitions? Give us our community back on October 21.
The report also highlighted the fact that the cfo bullies staff and union employees who can also not keep her mouth shut on confidential matters. It is quite clear that change is needed in that position.
08:30:00
You are absolutely, 100 percent correct. She needs to be gone, however it can be accomplished.
She was called out several times in the report. Hello, GONE.
The report was out of date before it was printed. Russell Farmer was still talking about the Medican deal. So obviously they were not aware of the $50,000 fiasco.
The report is a typical boiler plate that was expected. If you read it carefully, it gives ammunition to both sides of the argument. If Bruce thinks the report vindicates him in any way he is dreaming techni-colour. The problems at the municipal office go right up to his desk. If he wants to be seen like a chief executive he has to stop hiding behind consultants. But this will not happen.
They are hiring 'recreation' experts to build them a strategic plan for the Pass. The wasteful insanity carries forth.
Looking at our Mayor’s career, there is a certain familiar pattern emerging. He hides behind consultants and administrators. It will be interesting to see if he will resist his natural urge to throw someone under a bus, as he develops his campaign strategy. Myron may as well start packing, even though he was obedient in his work. On the other hand, a good payout may not look so bad. This is at least how it looks to a casual observer.
I like the fact that this report is posted on the website for the world to see that we are a community FULL of bullies. Now whose fault is that? Council? Firemen? Administration? Ratepayers?
12:38 :
Did you notice this recommendation:
"67. To address the concerns employees have on the rift between employees and managers and where managers do not reside in the community, develop team activities that address team building, trust, and communication."
Obviously this will require "team building" consultants.
So how will team building, resolve the issue of managers not residing in the community.
Yes, the world sees it all.
A big thank you to the Ratepayers Association for this.
The mayor defended Myron for not living here and after the fire dept reorganization used the community and protection director to do the dirty work. The latter has departed interestingly during the Inspectors report.
We should recognize that when we pay top dollar for management positions hiring people that fit the mayors needs (hatchet men and yes men), these employes are using us to get a free move south/west and to build up their last few years of salary for a good retirement pension. Without the managers living here and using us as a cash cow, we will never get a stable management team and can expect the same with the mayor we now have. Any idea how much was paid out to the departing employees over the past three years?
The outside employees may have a problem with management but are they not also at fault for playing the coffee break game, etc. Can't say much about the inside employees at the municipal office, but their coffee breaks sure seem to be long. Add these to lunch time and a short work day and it is no wonder they need that many people. We need a few strong brooms to clean out the place.
Who cares where managers live?
It's just a job. Keep calm and do it well.
10:21 shouldn't matter where a manager lives but when a person that has a major affect on taxation gets to hide from the consequences of his work that is wrong. He should have to face up to the tax policys he helped create in some way, not go hiding in a gated lake community away from what he is causing.
Yes, who cares where managers live. It is the job that they do that counts.
Don't pigeon hole people about where they live or how long they have lived there, and so on. It is so passe and ignorant nowadays.
anon10.18 they do not play the break game.Many times when plowing snow they don't even stop for coffee or lunch.The managers don't tell you that do they.
Myron is doing only what he is told to do. Our Mayor is very candid about his daily telephone conversation with the CAO. If they try to pin blame for what happened during the past three years on Myron, just because there is an election, this kind of thing will not work here.
Dean did they not say they only talked to 70 people.
Let's face it, the managers don't live here because they do not intend do stay long. The Crowsnest is but a stooping point to get a better resume for the next job. We now have that reputation. In the meantime the pay isn't that bad, is it?
As the Inspector report says, quite a turnover in CAOs and other senior staff. Show me a place where there has a revolving door for managers like we do, that has good management. It doesn't happen. We are but a milk cow.
I think this is what they mean by "team building":
http://www.tourismkamloops.com/team-building
http://www.santasvillage.ca/team-building/
http://tiff.net/events/teambuilding
The ministerial report did exactly what most people expected. While no laws were broken, it is clear from the report the community is unhappy with the direction this council is taking us.
In a community of less than six thousand residents, over 2500 VOTERS signed a petition, which was very plain in its message: “our council is not listening to us.”
You would think that someone on council would take notice of this, but no, the Mayor and council is crying that the newspapers are unfair and the message is not getting out. The residents will fall in line once they understand that this council is just doing a bit of hard medicine for our own good.
When we still don’t get it, the big fellow on council calls us CAVERS, and the rest of the councillors just sit there on their hands. UNBELIVABLE!
Dean they are accusing you and Blair of breaking election act.Putting signs out to early.
This is from the Alberta Municipal Affairs Website:
Can a candidate put up campaign signage prior to Nomination Day?
There are no limitations on when a candidate may start campaigning in the Local Authorities Election Act, however some municipalities may have bylaws restricting when and where campaign signage may be placed. Candidates should contact their municipal office for details on signage restrictions.
Municipal bylaw 868-2013
10 (f) a campaign sign relating to a Federal, Provincial, Municipal, or School Board Election provided that:
(i) it is posted for a time period not to exceed 30 days or such other time as regulated under Provincial of Federal legislation; and
(ii) the sign is removed within 7 days following the election;
Today until Oct 21st is 29 days.
Dean Ward
All 2500 people did not want to sign the petition for an investigation. According to the Report, many who did signed the petition did so under duress, pressure, or fear of what their neighbours would think or do.
The report says:
"A key matter of concern identified is the lack of unity among the individual communities within the Municipality. It appears that this lack of unity is a driving force behind many of the issues that the community faces including the cost to the taxpayer due to the unique geography of the Municipality."
but also:
"There is a strong and particular sense of community within the Municipality of Crowsnest Pass."
??????????????
In Calgary you have your suburbanites, older inner city residential areas, downtown apartment dwellers, Chinatown, North Chinatown, the annexed former Bowness, Little India, Little Pakistan, etc.
I guess you could say there is a lack of unity in Calgary, maybe they should consider dissolution?
I think there is an agenda behind this off-the-wall dissolution recommendation.
I really do not want to see a strategic plan 2 put together by people that drove through here back in the 1960's or were born here before WWII.
We need to look at the people that live here and see what they want. By that I mean people that live here year round, part time, young, old it doesn't matter come up with a direction that is "ours" that will also make the community a lot more unified.
To all those who think this is wonderful I hate to tell you we were set up. Municipal Affairs suggests a "viability study" of the Crowsnest Pass. As Dean noted, "In layman terms that would mean dissolving the municipality and having us gobbled up by our neighbours." Sharing of resources, maybe layoffs, maybe relocation of Muni services, etc. We were trashed by Muni Affairs. Investors, people who are looking to relocate, and some people who live here are all wondering what they were thinking when they looked at this community and the "viability study" will save the day! Never mind the argument trying to sell this, there isn't a person running in this election who would turn away from this if there were efficiencies, ie. tax cuts, etc. to be had. Be careful what you wish for!
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