Mayor's Corner for October, making the Crowsnest Pass a better place one step at a time.

MAYOR'S CORNER  It’s October and fall is here: Clear, bluer than blue skies, trees turning yellow and frosty crisp mornings. Your Council is pressing hard to continue the progress and change we promised. This month we have had an unfortunate occurrence which resulted in a number of our firemen leaving their positions. However our administrative team managed the situation professionally and we are assured of our safety. I understand some firemen are currently re-applying for their position. Our head of Protective Services and our new Fire Chief inform us that the restructured fire service will be smaller, more efficient in its use of equipment and ultimately more cost effective contrary to some opinions expressed. We also met with the ratepayers group. Personally I found it to be an enjoyable civil discussion in which there was an exchange of facts versus rumor, the clarification of Council objectives versus misconceptions, and a discussion of long term Council goals.  Perhaps most importantly we discussed the philosophical lens through which we both view the current and future status of our community. It was determined that Council has  a “glass half full” philosophy as opposed to the ratepayers “glass half empty” outlook. It was a good discussion and we agreed to disagree on some points. At the conclusion of our discussion Mr. Kovach surprised us (after such excellent discussion) by requesting that the administration reverse their decisions regarding the fire service and that the Council resign? After such an excellent productive discussion we all gave our heads a shake of consternation. I note that once again some individual is instigating another Council recall and our ratepayers group is requesting government intervention. This seems to be becoming a habit. If with every Council you disagree with the elected representatives – petition the government and throw them out.  Can you imagine what would happen across this province if this occurred in every community? I wonder what kind of impression we are creating with the government? It appears one of our newspapers is unhappy with us and has contacted the newspaper association regarding our approach to advertising.  At this time I am unaware of the details but I expect we will find out in due course. Now on to more positive items. Please note elsewhere in this issue the various locations in which our newsletter can be picked up. We are receiving an amazing number of requests for the newsletter and many requests to publish it twice a month. I don’t think we can handle that but we will look into it. It seems like people like to have the facts. I am pleased to announce that after months (and months) of hard work we have as promised, resolved the problem surrounding the Crowsnest Learning Centre and “old” hospital facility. The new hotel restaurant truck stop complex - is a go! The last few legal details are being ironed out and early next month we and the developers are looking forward to holding a public session to gather your input as to what you would like to see happen. Watch our website or the upcoming newsletter for information. On the manufacturing plant status, I phoned them last week. They have confirmed that we are the location they wish to locate in. This plant produces a lot of clean hot water which needs to be cooled before it can be put back in the environment and apparently this is proving a major problem for them and delaying their decision. The moment I know what their decision is I will inform you. We are currently in discussion with an international heavy industry which is considering Crowsnest Pass as its base. A week ago another Canadian heavy industry contacted me by phone and will be setting up a meeting with us shortly. I wouldn’t get too excited over these latter comments just yet as I believe these industries are just in the “speculation” stage. As previously indicated your Council is working steadily on all issues. Following Mayor’s Corner you will find a letter sent directly to the Premier regarding our ongoing concerns over Highway No. 3. In conclusion for this month I note that rumor and misinformation is still being propagated by a small minority. This suggests we need to intensify our efforts to bring you the facts and the truth. Please don’t hesitate to contact our municipal administration, our councillors or myself for the facts and the truth.                                   - Mayor Decoux

Crowsnest Pass Rate Payers Petition

If you are looking to sign the Rate payers petition call any one of the following:

William Kovach 564-4709
Gail Montgomery 564-4077

Troy Clark 563-0381                 

Sasha JaegerBaird 563-6073

Ed Strembecki 564-0184        

Marilyn Milley 562-2719

Marlene Anctil 562-8180 

Larry Ruzek 564 4384

Rudy Pagnucco 562-8147

Or you can stop by Marlene's store on main street Blairmore, you can't miss the signs just a block down from the swimming pool during business hours. 

If you can't leave your home for any reason give myself Dean Ward a call at 563-4128 (leave a message) or email me at deanward4@msn.com. I would be glad to drop by.

Fireworks in the Crowsnest Pass

Check out the latest video from CTV Lethbridge.
In the next chapter of "Ripping down the foundation so it can be rebuild correctly, and one day you lucky people will thank me for this"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G9CmuBgekh8

Rum Runner Days, Finally all the answers !

No,

Well I would like to say the title to this post is true, but it's not. For the third meeting in a row (Sept 18, Oct 2, Oct 16) the information was not available.
It almost seems like Rum Runner Days/Thunder in the Valley and deferrals go hand in hand like peaches and cream.
Administration asked for time to review the Rum Runner committee's report, the Chairman of the committee was not available today.
Why keep adding an item to the agenda until it is ready to be presented?

Crowsnest Pass Ratepayers Latest Update

The following information update appeared in today's newspaper.

Are Crowsnest Pass Ratepayers concerned?

We ask all taxpayers of the Crowsnest Pass to look at what has happened over the last two years. We are now gathering names on a petition requesting municipal affairs to take a look at the issues raised by the Taxpayers of the Crowsnest Pass if you are equally concerned please contact us at the numbers listed below.

  

• Taxes are climbing every year in 2010 (Bylaw 794) showed the municipality collecting  $6,432,821 in General Municipal Taxation in 2012 (Bylaw 851) that number is $6,820,152 an increase of $387,331 per year.
• Utility Bills in 2010 our utility bills were providing the municipality $182,054 per month today we are paying $201,945 a difference of $19,891 per month or $238,700 per year
• Franchise Fees in 2010 were bringing in $295,551 today we are paying $569,749 a difference of  $274,198.

Those three numbers above come to a total of $900,029 per year more. Right now council has a proposal to increase Franchise Fees another $336,945 next year plus an additional 2.5% in residential taxes. That will transfer $1,400,000 more a year from the Taxpayers pockets to the Municipality versus 2010. This does not include all the other Fees, Fines and charges that have been increased by a council and administration that are focused on maximizing revenues.

• Municipal Hiring: Council would have you believe that the Municipal workforce has not increased in size. At the date of the last election there were 19 employees in the municipal office (Administrators and Staff) Today that number is 25. In addition we are concerned about the never ending turn over at the administrative level. From June of 2011 to July of 2012 we had six changes at the administrative level.
• Consultants: Do you feel like every week there is another consultant determining the future of our community. Up to April 5,2012 $19,000 to Abiocon Strategies, $49,000 to Friesen Tokar, $102,447 to Park Enterprises, $43,570 to All Fire Investigations, $13,055 to Inn Heaven Bed & Breakfast, $203,545 to Transitional Solutions.  Now we hear about consultants being used for Branding and Fire Hall location studies. Where does it stop?
• Debt: Prior to 2010 previous councils had a policy of putting money aside to purchase new equipment, 2011 $550,000 was borrowed to finance equipment that is barely ever used. (Almost $300,000 on a track hoe alone), 2012 $140,000 was borrowed to finance the two community Peace Officer trucks.

Changes: Let’s look at what else as happened over the last two years.

• Spring Cleanup eliminated for the vast majority of the public.
• April 2011 Bellevue Library closes.
• July 2011 announcement regarding consolidation of Blairmore/Coleman shop does not happen until a year later.
• September 2011 Mayor Decoux informs Chamber of Commerce that the municipality will be hiring another Peace Officer at “no cost to the Taxpayers”
• September 29,2011 fire and rescue services will be amalgamated to facilitate a more efficient Emergency Response model
• December 2011 Tax Penalties increased from 20% to 52%.
• Feb,2012 Census results show Crowsnest Pass population drops 3.2%
• March 2012 Council makes decision to “defer Thunder in the Valley”
• April 2012 Devon Gas Plant announces closure
• May 2012 Mayor announces request for proposals going out on the Crowsnest Centre Site
• May 2012 Tender for demolition of the Crowsnest Centre put out with a closing date of August 30^th
• June 2012 Town Hall meeting Mayor Speaks about Centre being gone before first snowfall and the building process beginning next spring. Discusses approaching the Province and the MD of Ranchlands to share tax revenues.
• June 2012 Mayor releases first “Mayor’s Corner” Very critical of coffee talkers and people that write letters to the editor or on web sites.
• June 2012 Rate payers organization revived, meetings with the public begin.
• July 2012 Water/Sewer rates increase by 4.5% electrical increases by 6%
• July 2012 Community Peace Officer Trucks arrive ($140,000)
• July 2012 Despite predictions of huge turnouts Rum Runner Days takes place with very poor attendance at most events
• August 2012 Pass Promoter runs story about Municipality hiring gopher hunters despite denial at previous town hall meeting.
• Sept 2012 Community Peace Officers are introduced at Council meeting
• Sept 2012 Announcement that Chinook Pipelines is suing the municipality
• Sept 2012 Safety codes Fees are going up 120%
• Sept 2012 Mayor interviewed on Alberta Primetime regarding potential Quebec Manufacturer
• Sept 2012 New Fire Chief and his new pickup show up
• Sept 2012 Debate on Municipal Franchise Fee Increases begins.
• Sept 2012 Final report on Rum Runner Days “deferred” to Oct 2 then again to Oct 16.
• Sept 2012 Community Branding Town hall meeting.
• October 2012 Municipality relives   Blairmore Fire Chief of his position.

The ratepayers association requested information regarding the three year budget, we were informed that this information would be given to us by the middle of September and released to the public on the Municipal Web site. At our meeting with Council on October 9,2012 we were finally presented with a pile of papers that are suppose to answer the questions asked.

Interested in joining the Ratepayers or signing our petition contact the following

                                   William Kovach 564-4709         Gail Montgomery 564-4077

                             Troy Clark 563-0381                  Sasha JaegerBaird 563-6073

Ed Strembecki 564-0184        Marilyn Milley 562-2719

Marlene Anctil 562-8180        Larry Ruzek 564 4384

Rudy Pagnucco 562-8147

Please check out our Facebook Page at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Crowsnest-Pass-RatePayers-Association/441790612539166?fref=ts

Fireworks issues in the Crowsnest Pass

RCMP Press release


Crowsnest Pass RCMP are advising that the RCMP Explosive Disposal Unit has been requested to assist the Explosives Regulatory Division of Canada in the removal of a large cache of fireworks from the Blairmore Fire Hall in Crowsnest Pass Tuesday, on October 16, 2012 at 7:00 am.

The RCMP's role in this is provide expertise in the area of managing these types of explosives and to provide safety to the public during the extrication of the them. Transportation and destruction of the fireworks and any investigation into the matter will be managed by the Explosive Regulatory Division of Canada.

The other side of the Issue in the Crowsnest Pass

John Prince posted on the other side of the issue this morning.

http://blog.johnprince.ca/2012/10/the-good-bad-and-ugly-of-cnp-fire.html


I would advise everybody to read this post, the most important part about Democracy is allowing everybody the right to their opinion. If you do or don't agree that's fine it's another part of the process we call Freedom.