CNP Claims vs Facts

CLAIM:
Sept 16/2013 - Dean Ward in press release to Pass Herald:
"Smaller government, we now employ more administrators than the Crowsnest Pass has ever 
had previously...with a staff of less than fifty employees, do we really need nine administrators, 
when you add up all the salaries, benefits, vehicles, cell phones, computers etc… we will be 
spending in excess of $1.2 million a year."
FACT:
The Municipal Inspection Report indicates clearly that Crowsnest Pass has a completely normal 
number of administrators. One administrative position is the Deputy Fire Chief, which is a term 
contract that is paid by the Province in order to assist with training of Fire Department members. 
The $1,200,000 is a fabricated number based on several assumptions and guesses.

Currently Administration consists of CAO, CFO, Director of Operations, Director of Protective 
and Community Services (Vacant), Operations Manager, EDO, Fire Chief, Deputy Fire Chief 
(term contract paid by Province) - that is 7 permanent and 1 temporary.

While Dean Ward was on council they had CAO, CFO, Director of Operations, Director of 
Community Services, Director of Legislative and HR Services, Public Works Superintendent, 
Assistant Public Works Superintendent - that's 7.

Advance Poll

For those that are not here on October 21, and wish to vote. The advance poll is today at the Elks Hall in Blairmore from 10am to 8pm.

Everybody no matter who you are voting for, get out and vote.

Thanks

Happy Thanksgiving

Today is a time to take a break, no need for bickering back or forth. No need for wasting our time with "facts and figures" that can be interpreted in any which way the reader wishes to. People that tell us the "truths" while trying to give themselves credibility by pretending to be a person with a reputation in town as a reliable source give it a break, today is Thanksgiving.

Yesterday somebody very important to me said "grandpa it's Thanksgiving what are you Thank full for" great question and brought me back to what is really important. 

I am thankful for so much my a wife that stands besides me through  good or bad, my kids who have been a part of my life for many years, my precious grandchildren who have brought so much into my life., I am also thankful for the rest of my family, I am sure on a day like this we all take a moment to reflect on the ones we have lost but I am also thankful they were a part of our life's. I am thankful for everything I have. I am thankful for living in one of the greatest places in the world I am thankful for all the support Debbie and I  have received over the last month especially the last week. We live among some great family and wonderful friends all of those things I am thankful for.

So please everybody today enjoy your Thanksgiving with your family and friends.

Dean, Debbie and family.

Who owns the Best Western rights?

Lot's of information from various sources draw your own conclusions on who actually owns the Best Western rights.  The fact that the $50,000 will be paid back when the land is sold, still means the taxpayer will be receiving $50,000 less value for the property.

The following comes from the municipalities own press release announcing that the deal with Medican collasped.


"The Vachon Group, who is still the official applicant for the hotel development, intends to continue working with Crowsnest Pass on the complex". 


Comments from July 16 G+P meeting 

Chris Vachon spoke to council regarding this issue made some very interesting comments and responses to Councilors questions:

-Investors that were previously lined up went to what they know best the condo market

-The Best Western brand and franchise was approved for the Pass under the Vachon group

-The cost to maintain the Best Western for two years will be $50,000, the way it came across to myself is Vachon put the money up six months ago. The municipality as a deadline of July 26 to make a decision on if they will pay the $50,000 to maintain the rights to Best Western. If they don’t I suspect Mr Vachon will get his $50k back from Best Western and the option to own those rights will disappear.

At this point Councilor Gail asked if there would be a problem finding Investors down the road especially with the MCNP already having the feasibility study done?

Mr Vachon told him that Best Western came in and did their own study and would probably have to update the study when new Investors show up. He also stated that new Investors showing up would be tied to what happens in the Coal/lumber markets locally.

Councilor Londsbury asked if Best Western sees this town has a viable option?

Mr Vachon gave a qualified yes based on once again what happens in the coal industry.

Councilor Saindon asked how can Medican pull out, didn’t we have an agreement, didn’t we honor our side of the agreement, thing’s get difficult they pull out?

Myron Thompson stated terms of the agreement were not met by Medican the contract became null and void.

Councilor Saindon asked what was the out clauses that Medican used?

Myron Thompson responded with “various clauses”.

Councilor Gallant said Best Western did not play games, independent studies said this location was viable, he asked how long Sparwood has been on Best Western books and is there a time limit on how long they will be on the books?

Mr Vachon stated that he did not know Sparwood was trying to get a Best Western until they filed the application for Blairmore. He also stated that Best Western watchs a location for signs of moving forward (foundations being put in place etc)

Councilor Mitchell asked if he had heard correctly that there is a deadline of July 26?

Mr Vachon said yes for the $50,000

Councilor Saje asked for an explanation of what the status of the present contract is?

Mr Vachon stated we will talk further later in the meeting (In Camera)

Pass Herald July 16

“What brings me out here is to see if there is any interest in pursuing a new investment group, under myself,” said Vachon.

Crowsnest Pass Peomoter 

The curious case of the hotel Part 3 from Joni MacFarlane

You'd be forgiven for having difficulty keeping track of the unfolding events surrounding a proposed development for the former Crowsnest Centre site.

Ever since it was announced that the first deal had gone south, the story’s taken more twists and turns than Senator Pamela Wallin’s travel expenses.

First we’re told that after much legal wrangling, a large construction company had been awarded the sale and contract of the site.

An open house presenting an architect’s conceptual designs was held when a new name emerges – that of Chris Vachon, a hotel management consultant.

The Medican deal falls through and now Vachon holds all the rights and none of the risk to secure a Best Western franchise. With hands held to the fire, we’re told it’s now or never - pay this fellow or kiss Best Western goodbye forever.

Now another name comes crawling out of the woodwork – that of Clay Cup Development. Apparently, they were originally involved in the deal before Vachon came along. We’re told they too are an approved Best Western developer and have built one in the past. They call the “now or never” scenario bunk and say that’s not how it works.

They also claim municipalities don’t pay these fees and that it sends up “red flags” to be asked to. Clearly the majority of council members are colour blind.

But wait, there’s more. Clay Cup says they chose to walk away from the deal when they read the “amateurish” feasibility study. Some members of council said they were fired.

Who is telling the truth here and who is not?

Is council adequately investigating these conflicts of information before playing with taxpayers’ money?

More worrying is the obvious conflict between what some members of council knew and what some did not. When and how was this information imparted and why are some members in the dark?

Now with close to a million dollars committed to demolish the site, find investors, a builder, and who knows what else to make a Best Western hotel a reality, this business of “he said - he said” is farcical.

Looking for the Facts-Administration

Fact #1-We now have the largest administrative in the history of the Municipality of Crowsnest Pass.

Fact #2-Our administration between wages, benefits, pickups, computers, cell phones, training etc will cost us $1.2 million this year.

Fact #3-Administration is now recommending the hiring of a HR person. In part based on the following workplace assessment attached and just the fact that everybody in the community outside of council as realized for the last two years that we have a serious problem in the relationship between our management and the unionized employees. I will take the position that if elected the dollars for this position will be found within the present administrative budget. Next council must reanalyze the organizational structure and determine their priorities.  
http://crowsnestpasshome.blogspot.ca/2013/09/they-never-knew-it-was-this-bad.html

Fact #4-If elected I will be asking for a comparison of our administrative salaries today versus 2010, I am sure the arguments will be made that the scope of work as changed in each area. Unionized wage rates have gone up 9% in the last three years, it will be interesting to analyze the increases within the administrative ranks.

On my next "Facts" I will talk about the turn over in the administrative ranks over the last three years. It was identified in the Farmer report the importance of stability especially at the position of CAO. Interestingly despite the numbers banded about of 14 CAO's in 18 years prior to this council there was the same  CAO in place from August of 2004 to when he announced his retirement in 2010.

Annexation Ranchlands and the Crowsnest Pass

The following story appears in this week's Nanton News written by Sheena Read.
I have provided a few quotes from the story if you wish to read the rest it is available at the following link.


http://www.nantonnews.com/2013/10/11/ranchland-brings-in-experts-for-annexation-issue

Ranchland brings in experts for annexation issue

Chief Administrative Officer Greg Brkich said Klauer hadn’t heard about the Crowsnest bid for annexation of Ranchland area before he had contacted her, but after she researched it, she told Brkich she’d “gotten a real good laugh out of it.”
“It seems that everyone who hears about it gets a good laugh out of it. But for some reason, the Crowsnest Pass doesn’t seem to be laughing,” said Davis.

The Ranchland letter stated that if the annexation occurs, the Municipality of Crowsnest Pass (MCP) is also requiring Ranchland transfer $200,000 per year for five years to the MCP to cover the cost of servicing the proposed annexation area prior to any new potential tax revenue being realized. 

“The MCP proposes that the MD of Ranchland raise its mill rate on linear, commercial, and machinery and equipment to pay for this transfer of funds. In other words, tax the Ranchland ratepayers to subsidize the MCP,” the letter stated.
Ranchland council and administration has stated that the annexation proposal does not meet its mandate to act in the best interests of its ratepayers.

Franchise Fees-The hidden tax

I was just sent a link to another candidates blog to look at the "facts" I do not expect that any other candidate will be providing links to my site. Regardless here are some "facts" if somebody wishes to tell me I am wrong I will change my numbers once I am provided the evidence.  

Franchise Fees

2010-$295,551

2011-$374,288       Increase of $79,000

2012-$569,749       Increase of $196,000

2013-$682,000       Increase of $112,000 

Total three year increase $387,000 keep in mind that every $67,000 raised is equivalent to a 1% tax increase so the full increase would have taken an additional 5.8% tax increase over the three years to match. 

This charge appears on your gas and power bill which is why most people do not even notice it. That is why it is often referred to as the "hidden tax". The municipality back in the fall of 2012 attempted to argue that this is "not a tax" what do you think? 

Let's also not forget that administration had originally proposed to increase this "tax" by another $225,000, which would have taken it to almost $1 million a year do you think that recommendation won't come back?