If you want to know what happened at tonight's meeting (I will write more tomorrow after I read the full report) go back and read my post of Sept 11.
http://crowsnestpasshome.blogspot.ca/2013/09/crowsnest-pass-municipal-inspection.html
The only surprise to me was that the report recommends that next council considers the option of requesting Municipal Affairs to conduct a "viability study" of the Crowsnest Pass. In layman terms that would mean dissolving the municipality and having us gobbled up by our neighbours. Can you imagine the arguments some brave sole would make to convince the MD of Ranchlands or MD of Pincher Creek to take us in?
Below is the link to the full report
http://www.crowsnestpass.com/component/docman/doc_download/2284-alberta-municipal-affairs-municipality-of-crowsnest-pass-inspection-report?Itemid=
27 comments:
Dean you really are right this whole issue comes down to what direction the people of this community want to go in.
Oct 21st will determine everything. My impression tonight was every person in this community could have signed that petition it would not have amounted to a hill of beans.
Dean did you really expect the province to condemn this council four weeks before the election?
Check out the municipal web site Bruce is already basking in the glory of the moment. Mini Bruce will be soon to follow I will bet that the whole group will be running.
The report is already on the website.
One blooper:
"At the time of the contract Medican was not in receivership and therefore there are no issues with accepting their bid."
Medican 2012 (created from the assets of the bankrupt Medican) is still under a court supervised restructuring process that makes it unable to guarantee performance.
"And, while the policy committee meetings are open to the public ..."
If you could find out when/where they are.
Interesting the consultant talks about how Myron is going to improve communications with the CUPE members. This morning he had a meeting with us and filled us in on last night's council meeting. Strangely this was our first meeting in eight months, plus I'm surely it is purely coincidental that it took place the day this report was released.
What a soap opera.
I find the Director of Finance issues disgusting.
SPCA said they take in dogs, I phoned them one time and they said no, had to phone to STrathmore.
Would it be so bad to become part of Pincher Creek? I don't know if it would be.
I hope everyone takes the time to read this report. The issues with the SPCA, Smoke Eaters and town employees who refuse to do thier basic jobs and abuse coffee breaks are all pretty frustrating. And embarrassing. Ditto on the stuff about director of finances and and all of the pettiness within the administration.
"Furthermore, it is important that the public be allowed to provide input to the decision making process and that members of council do not reach conclusions before all information is provided and a public debate can occur. Transparency should always be an underlying principle of good governance." p. 36
"One of the issues raised during the review was the lack of communication of bylaws and lack of participation with residents and businesses impacted by the bylaws in the bylaw development process. p. 44
"Considering the optical failure perceived by some members of the public, the concerns that were brought forward include the lack of public transparency and/or lack of public debate, specifically as it relates to bylaws. There is a perception that there is very little debate that goes on at the GPC where the documents are made available to the public, since most concerns were discussed and vetted at the policy committee level. And, while the policy committee meetings are open to the public, with no public access to the documentation at this meeting, it was suggested that there was a lack of transparency and ability for the public to participate in a meaningful manner." p. 46
I think these transparency and communication issues are the underlying cause many of our problems. But they do not address these issues or make recommendations.
Is there a bit of vigilantism going on here? SPCA, REALLY? Get real, that is the least of our problems. In fact, it's not a problem at all. A mere distraction being blown up as a problem by those with an ax to grind.
Playing the Devils Advocate here, would it really be all that bad if we became part of MD of Pincher Creek?? They are the ones who have the businesses THAT WE DIDN'T GET!!!. What shape is their tax base in?? Think about it....
"Our review of Council minutes and interviews with Council indicate that, in general, Council is following a good decision making process. Administration provides Council with a request for decision document that includes a recommendation for Council, background information, possible alternatives and budgetary impact to the Municipality."
Did that happen for the CPO program and the fire department changes?
This report will not change my position one bit. Bring on Oct 21.
In regards to the statement, there a bit of vigilantism going on here? SPCA,....
What more would you like. We have an independent report, with no bias towards anyone or anything, saying so. What do you need, God himself to step forward.
Yes, I would not mind becoming part of Pincher creek in the least. I think they seem to think things through really well, and are thriving because of it. I don't think they have the "entitled" culture as they do here.
10:51
"Additionally, some participants indicated that the
SPCA would not take in dogs. When asked, the SPCA indicated that this was untrue."
And this is what you have decided to play God with in your smearing of this organization that has served this community well for probably more years than what your age in writing what you have would indicate.
A bit off topic ....
I just looked up the election dates because I will not be here on Oct 21. The advance poll is on Tuesday, Oct 15. Don't we usually have the advance poll on a weekend? How many people who live here and work out of town will be affected by having both voting opportunities happening in mid-week?
But the SPCA really doesn't serve everyone.
I phoned one day with regard to a couple of abused dogs. And they told me I had to go through Strathmore.
I cannot imagine a SPCA worker saying that after the things I told them that was happening to the dogs.
No, definitely needs sprucing up in my opinion. Please get out of the mindset that if something has been going on for years it must be good. Not the case. That is part of the problem and mind set here.
RE: Advanced poll. Has always been mid-week.
Re: Dissolution - Being dissolved as a Municipality would mean we go back to being 5 separate communities, governed solely by either the MD of Pincher Creek or MD of Ranchlands. We would no longer have a council, nor would the five towns. These othr communities would make all of our decisions for us. Example: if an opportunity presented itself and a big box store or something of the like, wanted to come here. They would have to go to Pincher or Ranchlands council for approval. Do you honestly think they would approve it for us here. They would more than likely recommend it be located closer to, or in Pincher Creek or the MD of Ranchlands. Especially after we have treated them.
Not too much different having the council right here. They voted down a lot of big stores that would have been a huge boon for us.
ANON841 the employees do not refuse to do their basic jobs.If they did I'm sure they could be in trouble.Think about it.IT should make you wonder what the hell are the bosses doing.We have lots of them.
To all these low information people bashing the SPCA, you should inform yourself with facts first. Animal ABUSE and NEglect is only handled by The Alberta SPCA Special Constables under the Animal Protection Act. The SPCA was told that they can not accept or take dogs in anymore ,the Peace Officers are the only ones in the Pass allowed to pick up and put animals into the shelter, even if someone finds a dog running on the highway, they must get hold of the Peace Officer and he will put it in the shelter where the SPCA will look after it. If you have a problem with this you should go and talk to your mayor or councillors, as these are the new rules made by them.
3:31
With that kind of attitude, I hope you move somewhere nice and big boxy. Arizona would be good.
I was at the presentation too. Dean you do our community a disservice with the distortion of what what presented. The report itself further diverges from your post. Are you really for the CNP - or just a political opportunist? A Hint - You need not answer - as I believe your prior posts answer that question.
Anon 1:29am Sept 20 if you read the report and conclude that all is well with the CNP, then you need to shake your head. The report is a whitewash and if you read the consultants bureauspeak, you will see there are big troubles in the hallowed halls of the muni building and with the management and direction they have taken us.
We have spiraled downward with both inside and outside services that we the taxpayer have to pay for. Efficiency is really hurting and won't change until the management and mayor council changes.
I don't think 1:29 was saying everything was okay. I don't think that is the case anywhere. He just took a different perception on things than Dean did. After all, he is running for council.
So, now after everyone wanted an independent review, they don't believe it. No pleasing some of you residents is there.
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