Good news, over the last four years we have been plodding away at building a system of walking trails in the Crowsnest Pass. On Tuesday we were presented with the Walking Trail Master Plan. We were told in conjunction with this news that we have received $184,000 from the Ottawa and $240,000 from Edmonton to complete our Trail System. By Spring of 2011 our Walking Trail System will extend from Leitch Collieries all the way to the lakes, linking every community in between.
Big hats off to everybody that was involved in this process. It really is going to be an accomplishment the Crowsnest Pass can be proud of for a long time.
Showing posts with label Citizens to save the Crowsnest Pass. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Citizens to save the Crowsnest Pass. Show all posts
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Petition fails in the Crowsnest Pass
Well the results are in the petition to Municipal Affairs failed, 1150 valid signatures were required the Representative from the "Citizens to save the Crowsnest Pass" claimed they had 1201 signatures so somewhere between 51 or more signatures were determined to be invalid.
Will we ever know how many signatures for sure were thrown out? No the ministry only rules wether the petition was valid or invalid. So in theory there is somewhere between one and 1149 valid signatures on the petition, I'm sure either side of this debate will argue in the direction that works for them.
Some questions that were asked of myself regarding this petition, my answers are purely my opinion.
What started this petition? Some very vocal members of the public who disagree with the position of the majority of council.
Who was behind the petition? A group called the "Citizens to save the Crowsnest Pass"
If these people were so concerned why did they not run in the last election?
Maybe they did, or maybe they are laying the ground work for the next election
Did I believe that 20% of the taxpayers felt council was heading in the wrong direction?
No and obviously neither did the Minister of Municipal Affairs
Did I believe that some people felt they were misled into signing the petition? told that to clean up the river run mess, or to save the Blairmore arena they should sign the petition for example?
I have a tough time believing those statements that would be dishonest and misleading!
Should council be concerned about a large group of taxpayers signing a petition?
Of course we should, that is why the majority of council dealt with issues that were raised by the "Citizens to save the Crowsnest Pass" and many other taxpayers.
What issues were raised by this group that the majority of council as recognized?
Corporate review, taxes last year over 11% increase this year 3.8%. We preserved our reserves by not moving forward on the Coleman Shop and yes we should be building them. Services we had some minor reductions but the vast majority of our core services remain in tact.
Was I has a councilor concerned about a municipal review? not one bit the issue here in the Crowsnest Pass is not that democracy is not working, of course its working just not the way some people would like it to be.
The other reason I was not concerned about the review, prior to this petition being started the majority of council took the position that we should have a review of the municipality, that we need to determine where the strengths and weaknesses are.
The Minister's letter stated the following:
"However, I suggest that the municipality consider engaging a third party to conduct a review of the administrative and governance processes in place. The review presents an opportunity to evaluate the municipality's strengths and identify potentials for improvement."
Does that not sound like a corporate review?
Do I respect the opinions of the people that signed that petition? of course I do 99% of those people are good people but lets move forward now, lets recognize that some people are using the tools they have at hand to promote their future political ambitions.
Elections are a great part of the democratic process, I would encourage anybody that as the interest to step forward in October of 2010.
Will we ever know how many signatures for sure were thrown out? No the ministry only rules wether the petition was valid or invalid. So in theory there is somewhere between one and 1149 valid signatures on the petition, I'm sure either side of this debate will argue in the direction that works for them.
Some questions that were asked of myself regarding this petition, my answers are purely my opinion.
What started this petition? Some very vocal members of the public who disagree with the position of the majority of council.
Who was behind the petition? A group called the "Citizens to save the Crowsnest Pass"
If these people were so concerned why did they not run in the last election?
Maybe they did, or maybe they are laying the ground work for the next election
Did I believe that 20% of the taxpayers felt council was heading in the wrong direction?
No and obviously neither did the Minister of Municipal Affairs
Did I believe that some people felt they were misled into signing the petition? told that to clean up the river run mess, or to save the Blairmore arena they should sign the petition for example?
I have a tough time believing those statements that would be dishonest and misleading!
Should council be concerned about a large group of taxpayers signing a petition?
Of course we should, that is why the majority of council dealt with issues that were raised by the "Citizens to save the Crowsnest Pass" and many other taxpayers.
What issues were raised by this group that the majority of council as recognized?
Corporate review, taxes last year over 11% increase this year 3.8%. We preserved our reserves by not moving forward on the Coleman Shop and yes we should be building them. Services we had some minor reductions but the vast majority of our core services remain in tact.
Was I has a councilor concerned about a municipal review? not one bit the issue here in the Crowsnest Pass is not that democracy is not working, of course its working just not the way some people would like it to be.
The other reason I was not concerned about the review, prior to this petition being started the majority of council took the position that we should have a review of the municipality, that we need to determine where the strengths and weaknesses are.
The Minister's letter stated the following:
"However, I suggest that the municipality consider engaging a third party to conduct a review of the administrative and governance processes in place. The review presents an opportunity to evaluate the municipality's strengths and identify potentials for improvement."
Does that not sound like a corporate review?
Do I respect the opinions of the people that signed that petition? of course I do 99% of those people are good people but lets move forward now, lets recognize that some people are using the tools they have at hand to promote their future political ambitions.
Elections are a great part of the democratic process, I would encourage anybody that as the interest to step forward in October of 2010.
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