The Journal is reporting some big news out of the Edmonton capital region this morning. Over the past while (ok, for just about as long as anyone can remember) there has been a lot of acrimony between the 25 municipalities in the region. Edmonton seems to essentially feel that they are providing a lot of services for the region while the new industrial developments (and the taxes that go along with it) were setting up shop just next door - in the counties.
Sound familiar?
Anyways, Premier Stelmach has chosen to step in and enforce a solution. It will essentially set up a governing board made up of the 25 municipalities. The board has final say in two very specific areas, the most important being land-use planning:
"The regional board will have authority over land-use planning and intermunicipal transit. Counties around Edmonton, two of which are in an upgrader-building boom tied to the oilsands, strongly oppose such a body.
But Stelmach said all 25 of the region's municipalities will be part of the new board. For a motion to pass, it will need the support of 17 of 25 municipalities representing at least 75 per cent of the region's population.
The structure essentially gives Edmonton a veto."
Full Story
It's going to be interesting to see how this works in actual practice and what kind of impact it makes on the region. It sounds as though Edmonton now has a say over where industry locates in the region and that could be big.
Of course the exact same issue of inter-municipal conflict has been brewing across the province so it's going to be interesting to see if this regional board is a sign of things to come for the rest of us.
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Budget Changes
At last night's council meeting the budget for 2008 - 2010 was approved by council. The DHT has the story here. This is the result of about three weeks of discussions where council reviewed all the requests and priorities from staff and community groups. We follow a process where if a council member wants to have further discussion on an item they "flag" it. The flagged items then come back for discussion at the end. This is where a council member can make their case for or against it and the advantage to doing things this way is that the non-contentious items are dealt with pretty quickly. Otherwise I'd shudder to think how long the process would take.
Admin put together a list of all the motions made by council that affected the budget. Some motions are to move items forward or backward in the plan (to do them sooner rather than later or vice versa) some are to fund projects (to commit money to doing them) and some are to unfund projects (to remove the funding and not do the project, project that have "undetermined" funding are the same).
So, here's the full unedited list of the motions that council members (including myself) made that had a direct impact on the city's three year budget:
Moved by Alderman Given, amended by Alderman Rice, Council fund the Grande Prairie Curling Club exterior painting project in 2008 the amount of $40,000 with $20,000 funded from the City and $20,000 funded from contributions.
Moved by Alderman Wong Council add to the Capital Budget funding in the amount of $10,000 in 2008 for repair of the Tennis Courts located at the D. Coy Armories facility.
Moved by Alderman Given Council include funds in the Capital Budget for transit buses in 2008 in the amount of $380,000 and 2009 and 2010 transit bus needs and funding be referred to the Public Works Committee for review.
Moved by Alderman Given Council amend the funding source for the Traffic Signals project at 100 Avenue and 93 Street to unfunded. (-$500,000 in 2010)
Moved by Alderman Given Council amend the funding source for the Traffic Signals project at 102 Street and 124 Avenue to unfunded. (-$500,000 in 2010)
Moved by Alderman Rice Council amend the funding source for the Traffic Signals – Resources Road and 76 Avenue project to unfunded. (-$450,000 in 2010)
Moved by Alderman Given the 102 street west side (117 to 120 Avenue) trails and paths project in the amount of $37,000 be identified in the Capital Plan in 2009 and the 108 Street (116 Avenue to Royal Oaks) trails and paths project in the amount of $90,000 be identified as in 2008 in the Capital Plan.
Moved by Alderman Blackmore the post and cable fence replacement project of $30,000 per year be identified as undetermined in the 2008, 2009 and 2010 Capital Budget.
Moved by Alderman Given the Website Redesign Project funding be adjusted to reflect funding in the amount of $125,000 over the years 2008 and 2009 in the Capital Plan.
Moved by Alderman Given Council fund the Coca-Cola Third Level Viewing area project in the amount of $120,000 from Capital Tax in 2009.
Moved by Alderman Gustafson the Dave Barr Building Expansion Project Design work in the amount of $750,000 from capital tax be advanced to 2010 with the remainder of funding remaining in 2011/1012.
Moved by Alderman Blackmore the FCSS Building Fire Alarm System Upgrade project in the amount of $20,000 be identified as Undetermined in 2008.
Moved by Alderman Given the Museum Expansion project amount of $60,000 in 2009 be identified as undetermined.
Moved by Alderman Given Council advance the CKC Ball Diamonds project to 2008 and 2009 in the amount of $30,000 each year.
Moved by Alderman Given Council fund the Morgan Meadows Park in the amount of $164,000 from Public Reserve in 2009.
Moved by Alderman Gustafson Council fund the Parks Operations Large Mower in the amount of $95,000 from Capital Tax in 2008.
Moved by Alderman Given Council include funds in the Capital Budget for the 116 Avenue Twin Existing Road project (Lakeland Drive to 92 Street) in the amount of $3,000,000 in 2008.
Moved by Alderman Given Council fund the Apprentice Plumber position in the Facilities budget in the amount of $25,000 in 2008, 2009 and 2010.
Moved by Alderman Rice Council increase the Snow Removal Budget in the amount of $1,384,100 million in 2008, 2009 and 2010.
Moved by Alderman Wong, amended by Alderman Blackmore, Council increase the GP Transit budget in the amount of $40,000 in 2008, $200,000 in 2009, and $200,000 in 2010 to implement new service in SW (Westpointe, Pinnacle, O’Brian) and implement new service in SE (Countryside North, Cobblestone, Signature falls, Creekside).
Moved by Alderman Gustafson Council increase the Development Services Budget to add one Safety Codes Officer in 2008 at $85,000, one Development Officer in 2009 at $66,000 and one Planning Technician at $56,000 in 2010.
Moved by Alderman Given Council fund the Grande Prairie Luge Association in the amount of $5,000 in 2008, $20,000 in 2009, and $5,000 in 2010.
Moved by Alderman Rice Council increase the Community Services budget by $5,000 in 2008 for the D. Company Armories towards painting the facility.
Moved by Alderman Blackmore and amended by Alderman Given Council increase the Economic Development Budget by $75,000 in 2008, 2009 and 2010 for staffing and support.
Moved by Alderman Given, amended by Alderman Blackmore, Council fund the Community Housing Facilitator position in 2008 in the amount of $50,000, 2009, $50,000 and $50,000 in 2010.
Moved by Alderman Gustafson Council fund the Dave Barr Community Centre concession staff in the amount of $10,000 annually
Moved by Alderman Given Council fund the Public Library operating grant under the Recreation and Culture Budget in the amount of $77,804 in 2008, $266,265 in 2009 and $470,000 in 2010.
Moved by Alderman Blackmore Council fund The Leisure Centre Casual Soccer/Pool staff in the amount of $4,529 in 2008, $11,858 in 2009 and $16,091 in 2010.
Moved by Alderman Given Council fund the Parks Operations Sanitation crew in the amount of $65,000 in 2008, $68,250 in 2009 and $71,662 in 2010.
Moved by Alderman Given Council fund the Parks Operations Tree Trim crew in the amount of $128,574 in 2009 and $135,002 in 2010
Moved by Alderman Radbourne Council fund the RCMP Executive Assistant in the amount of $51,620 in 2008, $54,148 in 2009, $56,885 in 2010
Moved by Alderman Given, amended by Alderman Wong Council fund the RCMP Typing pool in the amount of $360,176 in 2009 and $377,768 in 2010.
Moved by Alderman Wong Council fund the RCMP Specific Crime projects in the amount of $30,000 in 2008 and 2009 and $40,000 in 2010
Moved Alderman Blackmore Council approve $1,400 in the 2008 2009 2010 Operating Budget for the Grande Prairie Tennis Club for sump pump out.
Moved by Alderman Given Council approve funding of $1.25 per capita in the 2008, 2009 and 2010 operating budget for the Grande Prairie Regional Tourism Association.
Moved by Alderman Given Council approve $35,000 in the 2010 capital budget for the Grande Prairie Live Theatre lighting upgrade project.
Moved by Alderman Given Council increase funding to $80,000 in 2009 operating budget and $104,333 in 2010 operating budget for the Seniors Outreach Program.
Moved by Alderman Given Council increase funding to $55,000 in the 2008 operating budget, $69,000 in the 2009 operating budget and $74,500 in the 2010 operating budget for the Volunteer Services Bureau.
Moved by Alderman Blackmore Council eliminate funding of $14,373 each year from the 2008, 2009 and 2010 operating budgets for the Glory Garden Out of School Care program.
Moved by Alderman Given Council eliminate funding of $7,000 each year from the 2008, 2009, and 2010 operating budget for the Grande Prairie School Snack Program-Families Eating Wisely.
Moved by Alderman Given Council eliminate funding of $14,373 from the 2009 operating budget and $14,660 from the 2010 operating budget for Big Brothers and Sisters.
Moved by Alderman Wong Council approve $91,594 in the 2008 operating budget, $200,454 in the 2009 operating budget and $200,454 in the 2010 budget for the Prairie Art Gallery operating grant.
Moved by Alderman Given Council approve $40,000 in the 2009 and the 2010 operating budgets for Nitehawk Recreation Area.
Moved by Alderman Wong Council approve up to a maximum of $9,000 in the 2008, 2009, and 2010 operating budgets for the Community Village pump out costs.
Whew! - long list isn't it? Well, if you've made it this far you probably need a break so I won't provide commentary in this post. I will respond to questions and give you a little insight on my thinking on some of the motions in another post.
Admin put together a list of all the motions made by council that affected the budget. Some motions are to move items forward or backward in the plan (to do them sooner rather than later or vice versa) some are to fund projects (to commit money to doing them) and some are to unfund projects (to remove the funding and not do the project, project that have "undetermined" funding are the same).
So, here's the full unedited list of the motions that council members (including myself) made that had a direct impact on the city's three year budget:
Moved by Alderman Given, amended by Alderman Rice, Council fund the Grande Prairie Curling Club exterior painting project in 2008 the amount of $40,000 with $20,000 funded from the City and $20,000 funded from contributions.
Moved by Alderman Wong Council add to the Capital Budget funding in the amount of $10,000 in 2008 for repair of the Tennis Courts located at the D. Coy Armories facility.
Moved by Alderman Given Council include funds in the Capital Budget for transit buses in 2008 in the amount of $380,000 and 2009 and 2010 transit bus needs and funding be referred to the Public Works Committee for review.
Moved by Alderman Given Council amend the funding source for the Traffic Signals project at 100 Avenue and 93 Street to unfunded. (-$500,000 in 2010)
Moved by Alderman Given Council amend the funding source for the Traffic Signals project at 102 Street and 124 Avenue to unfunded. (-$500,000 in 2010)
Moved by Alderman Rice Council amend the funding source for the Traffic Signals – Resources Road and 76 Avenue project to unfunded. (-$450,000 in 2010)
Moved by Alderman Given the 102 street west side (117 to 120 Avenue) trails and paths project in the amount of $37,000 be identified in the Capital Plan in 2009 and the 108 Street (116 Avenue to Royal Oaks) trails and paths project in the amount of $90,000 be identified as in 2008 in the Capital Plan.
Moved by Alderman Blackmore the post and cable fence replacement project of $30,000 per year be identified as undetermined in the 2008, 2009 and 2010 Capital Budget.
Moved by Alderman Given the Website Redesign Project funding be adjusted to reflect funding in the amount of $125,000 over the years 2008 and 2009 in the Capital Plan.
Moved by Alderman Given Council fund the Coca-Cola Third Level Viewing area project in the amount of $120,000 from Capital Tax in 2009.
Moved by Alderman Gustafson the Dave Barr Building Expansion Project Design work in the amount of $750,000 from capital tax be advanced to 2010 with the remainder of funding remaining in 2011/1012.
Moved by Alderman Blackmore the FCSS Building Fire Alarm System Upgrade project in the amount of $20,000 be identified as Undetermined in 2008.
Moved by Alderman Given the Museum Expansion project amount of $60,000 in 2009 be identified as undetermined.
Moved by Alderman Given Council advance the CKC Ball Diamonds project to 2008 and 2009 in the amount of $30,000 each year.
Moved by Alderman Given Council fund the Morgan Meadows Park in the amount of $164,000 from Public Reserve in 2009.
Moved by Alderman Gustafson Council fund the Parks Operations Large Mower in the amount of $95,000 from Capital Tax in 2008.
Moved by Alderman Given Council include funds in the Capital Budget for the 116 Avenue Twin Existing Road project (Lakeland Drive to 92 Street) in the amount of $3,000,000 in 2008.
Moved by Alderman Given Council fund the Apprentice Plumber position in the Facilities budget in the amount of $25,000 in 2008, 2009 and 2010.
Moved by Alderman Rice Council increase the Snow Removal Budget in the amount of $1,384,100 million in 2008, 2009 and 2010.
Moved by Alderman Wong, amended by Alderman Blackmore, Council increase the GP Transit budget in the amount of $40,000 in 2008, $200,000 in 2009, and $200,000 in 2010 to implement new service in SW (Westpointe, Pinnacle, O’Brian) and implement new service in SE (Countryside North, Cobblestone, Signature falls, Creekside).
Moved by Alderman Gustafson Council increase the Development Services Budget to add one Safety Codes Officer in 2008 at $85,000, one Development Officer in 2009 at $66,000 and one Planning Technician at $56,000 in 2010.
Moved by Alderman Given Council fund the Grande Prairie Luge Association in the amount of $5,000 in 2008, $20,000 in 2009, and $5,000 in 2010.
Moved by Alderman Rice Council increase the Community Services budget by $5,000 in 2008 for the D. Company Armories towards painting the facility.
Moved by Alderman Blackmore and amended by Alderman Given Council increase the Economic Development Budget by $75,000 in 2008, 2009 and 2010 for staffing and support.
Moved by Alderman Given, amended by Alderman Blackmore, Council fund the Community Housing Facilitator position in 2008 in the amount of $50,000, 2009, $50,000 and $50,000 in 2010.
Moved by Alderman Gustafson Council fund the Dave Barr Community Centre concession staff in the amount of $10,000 annually
Moved by Alderman Given Council fund the Public Library operating grant under the Recreation and Culture Budget in the amount of $77,804 in 2008, $266,265 in 2009 and $470,000 in 2010.
Moved by Alderman Blackmore Council fund The Leisure Centre Casual Soccer/Pool staff in the amount of $4,529 in 2008, $11,858 in 2009 and $16,091 in 2010.
Moved by Alderman Given Council fund the Parks Operations Sanitation crew in the amount of $65,000 in 2008, $68,250 in 2009 and $71,662 in 2010.
Moved by Alderman Given Council fund the Parks Operations Tree Trim crew in the amount of $128,574 in 2009 and $135,002 in 2010
Moved by Alderman Radbourne Council fund the RCMP Executive Assistant in the amount of $51,620 in 2008, $54,148 in 2009, $56,885 in 2010
Moved by Alderman Given, amended by Alderman Wong Council fund the RCMP Typing pool in the amount of $360,176 in 2009 and $377,768 in 2010.
Moved by Alderman Wong Council fund the RCMP Specific Crime projects in the amount of $30,000 in 2008 and 2009 and $40,000 in 2010
Moved Alderman Blackmore Council approve $1,400 in the 2008 2009 2010 Operating Budget for the Grande Prairie Tennis Club for sump pump out.
Moved by Alderman Given Council approve funding of $1.25 per capita in the 2008, 2009 and 2010 operating budget for the Grande Prairie Regional Tourism Association.
Moved by Alderman Given Council approve $35,000 in the 2010 capital budget for the Grande Prairie Live Theatre lighting upgrade project.
Moved by Alderman Given Council increase funding to $80,000 in 2009 operating budget and $104,333 in 2010 operating budget for the Seniors Outreach Program.
Moved by Alderman Given Council increase funding to $55,000 in the 2008 operating budget, $69,000 in the 2009 operating budget and $74,500 in the 2010 operating budget for the Volunteer Services Bureau.
Moved by Alderman Blackmore Council eliminate funding of $14,373 each year from the 2008, 2009 and 2010 operating budgets for the Glory Garden Out of School Care program.
Moved by Alderman Given Council eliminate funding of $7,000 each year from the 2008, 2009, and 2010 operating budget for the Grande Prairie School Snack Program-Families Eating Wisely.
Moved by Alderman Given Council eliminate funding of $14,373 from the 2009 operating budget and $14,660 from the 2010 operating budget for Big Brothers and Sisters.
Moved by Alderman Wong Council approve $91,594 in the 2008 operating budget, $200,454 in the 2009 operating budget and $200,454 in the 2010 budget for the Prairie Art Gallery operating grant.
Moved by Alderman Given Council approve $40,000 in the 2009 and the 2010 operating budgets for Nitehawk Recreation Area.
Moved by Alderman Wong Council approve up to a maximum of $9,000 in the 2008, 2009, and 2010 operating budgets for the Community Village pump out costs.
Whew! - long list isn't it? Well, if you've made it this far you probably need a break so I won't provide commentary in this post. I will respond to questions and give you a little insight on my thinking on some of the motions in another post.
City Manager Retirement News Release
The official city news release related to my post earlier....
News Release
December 18, 2007
City Manager Gourlay Announces Retirement
City Manager Dave Gourlay today announced his retirement from the City of Grande Prairie, effective March 14, 2008.
“I have been contemplating this decision for several months and feel this is the right time to begin the next stage of my life,” he says.
“I have enjoyed my time as City Manager. It has been a challenging and rewarding career. I will miss the great people who work with the City. I have enjoyed working with both this and each of the councils during my tenure.”
Gourlay began his term as City Manager in July 2001. He first joined the City in October 1989 and became Treasurer in January 1998. Gourlay came to the City after a long career as a financial executive, including 17 years with the North West Trust Company, serving as Vice President Branch Operations during his last seven years with the company. He became a Certified Management Accountant in 1974.
“I wish this organization much success in the years to come,” Gourlay says. “These have been exciting times and as a growing, prosperous community, there are many opportunities that will unfold in the coming years.”
Gourlay, an avid outdoorsman, and his wife, Marg, plan to remain in Grande Prairie. He has served as a director on the boards of Aquatera Utilities Inc., the Community Foundation of Greater Grande Prairie, Grande Prairie Airport, Swan City Breakfast Lions, and Centre 2000.
“Dave is a manager who I value greatly,” Mayor Dwight Logan says. “I will miss him as someone for whom I have great respect. He’s a leader with immense skills and a high level of integrity. Dave has been largely responsible for building this fine organization.”
News Release
December 18, 2007
City Manager Gourlay Announces Retirement
City Manager Dave Gourlay today announced his retirement from the City of Grande Prairie, effective March 14, 2008.
“I have been contemplating this decision for several months and feel this is the right time to begin the next stage of my life,” he says.
“I have enjoyed my time as City Manager. It has been a challenging and rewarding career. I will miss the great people who work with the City. I have enjoyed working with both this and each of the councils during my tenure.”
Gourlay began his term as City Manager in July 2001. He first joined the City in October 1989 and became Treasurer in January 1998. Gourlay came to the City after a long career as a financial executive, including 17 years with the North West Trust Company, serving as Vice President Branch Operations during his last seven years with the company. He became a Certified Management Accountant in 1974.
“I wish this organization much success in the years to come,” Gourlay says. “These have been exciting times and as a growing, prosperous community, there are many opportunities that will unfold in the coming years.”
Gourlay, an avid outdoorsman, and his wife, Marg, plan to remain in Grande Prairie. He has served as a director on the boards of Aquatera Utilities Inc., the Community Foundation of Greater Grande Prairie, Grande Prairie Airport, Swan City Breakfast Lions, and Centre 2000.
“Dave is a manager who I value greatly,” Mayor Dwight Logan says. “I will miss him as someone for whom I have great respect. He’s a leader with immense skills and a high level of integrity. Dave has been largely responsible for building this fine organization.”
City Manager Dave Gourlay Retires
There is a special council meeting this morning after Public Works committee at 10:00am. At the meeting council will formally and publicly receive the resignation of City Manager Dave Gourlay
His retirement won't kick off until March 14th but that seems like such a short time! In my opinion Dave really has been the heart of the city. His leadership really sets the tone for an open and flexible attitude and it trickles down though the whole organization.
I'm sure Dave would argue and say that it's really the day to day staff in all the service areas that are the heart of the organization. Of course he'd be right in saying that too but it does come back to what kind of leadership you have. There are places where people are scared of making a decision for fear that they'll be "crushed from above" - as far as I've seen this is not the city of GP. I truly feel that our staff feel empowered to make decisions and that that empowerment comes from the senior management, with Dave on top.
Over the past two terms I've really found Dave to be a unique individual who is confident enough to "speak truth to power" when needed and also has the tact to maintain a solid working relationship with people on the opposite side of any issue. Just as importantly he's always ready to share a genuine conversations city staff - from the temporary summer students to the Corporate Leadership Team. It's a pretty unique skill set that has earned him a lot of respect, not just here but with the administration of other municipalities and at the highest levels of the provincial government.
Dave is going to enjoy having more time to spend with his family. I know is "position" of Grandpa is very important to him and I'm happy for him that it can now become a full time gig.
His retirement won't kick off until March 14th but that seems like such a short time! In my opinion Dave really has been the heart of the city. His leadership really sets the tone for an open and flexible attitude and it trickles down though the whole organization.
I'm sure Dave would argue and say that it's really the day to day staff in all the service areas that are the heart of the organization. Of course he'd be right in saying that too but it does come back to what kind of leadership you have. There are places where people are scared of making a decision for fear that they'll be "crushed from above" - as far as I've seen this is not the city of GP. I truly feel that our staff feel empowered to make decisions and that that empowerment comes from the senior management, with Dave on top.
Over the past two terms I've really found Dave to be a unique individual who is confident enough to "speak truth to power" when needed and also has the tact to maintain a solid working relationship with people on the opposite side of any issue. Just as importantly he's always ready to share a genuine conversations city staff - from the temporary summer students to the Corporate Leadership Team. It's a pretty unique skill set that has earned him a lot of respect, not just here but with the administration of other municipalities and at the highest levels of the provincial government.
Dave is going to enjoy having more time to spend with his family. I know is "position" of Grandpa is very important to him and I'm happy for him that it can now become a full time gig.
Monday, December 17, 2007
Library Update - December 17th, 2007
I'm on the library board this term. Laurie Harrison the library director emails me these great updates on Mondays before council meetings. The idea is that I can share them with council, and the public during the reports section at the end of the council meeting. It just occurred to me that there are more ways to share info than at a council meeting, so starting today I'll pass on Laurie's library updates through the blog too.
Holiday Closure – The library will be closed December 23-26 inclusive and will close early at 1 p.m. on December 31.
From Dinosaurs to Mammals
The Canadian Museum of Nature Suitcase traveling exhibition will be on display in the Children’s Library from December 22 to February 6. Drop in to view this exciting display of a dramatic time in the history of the earth’s changing environment.
Library Membership – The Perfect Christmas Gift
A library membership is the perfect gift or stocking stuffer, especially those who are hard to buy for. If you were to purchase 5 new books, 3 magazines, rent 8 movies, purchase 2 audio books, attend one adult program and 3 children’s programs, and use 6 hours of Internet anywhere else but the library it would cost well over $230. You can receive all this and more for the cost of $15.00 per family or $7.50 single membership per year.
Give A Little
The Giving Tree Children’s Library will be accepting stocking stuffer donations for the Giving Tree from December 1 to December 20. New items such as socks, toothbrushes, hats, mitts gratefully accepted. Items will decorate a tree in the Children’s Dept. and then be donated to Odyssey House.
Holiday Closure – The library will be closed December 23-26 inclusive and will close early at 1 p.m. on December 31.
From Dinosaurs to Mammals
The Canadian Museum of Nature Suitcase traveling exhibition will be on display in the Children’s Library from December 22 to February 6. Drop in to view this exciting display of a dramatic time in the history of the earth’s changing environment.
Library Membership – The Perfect Christmas Gift
A library membership is the perfect gift or stocking stuffer, especially those who are hard to buy for. If you were to purchase 5 new books, 3 magazines, rent 8 movies, purchase 2 audio books, attend one adult program and 3 children’s programs, and use 6 hours of Internet anywhere else but the library it would cost well over $230. You can receive all this and more for the cost of $15.00 per family or $7.50 single membership per year.
Give A Little
The Giving Tree Children’s Library will be accepting stocking stuffer donations for the Giving Tree from December 1 to December 20. New items such as socks, toothbrushes, hats, mitts gratefully accepted. Items will decorate a tree in the Children’s Dept. and then be donated to Odyssey House.
Friday, December 14, 2007
Peace River Councillor Blogging
Leslie Ayre-Jaschke is a newly elected council member in Peace River. We've spoken over email a few times and I've checked out her blog more than once to see what was happening during the election.
After visiting so many times I don't know how it's taken me so long to do this but today I'm adding her blog to the Worthwhile Blogs section on the right side of the page.
Check out Leslie's blog to see what's happening in Peace River and experience it all through the eyes of a newly elected, first-time politician.
Enjoy!
After visiting so many times I don't know how it's taken me so long to do this but today I'm adding her blog to the Worthwhile Blogs section on the right side of the page.
Check out Leslie's blog to see what's happening in Peace River and experience it all through the eyes of a newly elected, first-time politician.
Enjoy!
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Centre for Creative Arts
Council has been getting a lot of emails this week about the Centre for Creative Arts.
It's all in response to thisrequest for funding to cover an operating deficit.
I'm always really happy when people feel passionate enough about something that they are willing to get involved and speak up for it. There's been quite a bit of this lately which is great - we've seen in this term a lot more than in the past two, specifically with Crime Prevention and with the Aquatics Centre.
One thing that happens sometimes is that people write notes without recognizing all the facts. That's ok because it's the job of council members like me to know all the facts. You (the public) are supposed tell me what you think and what you believe in, that helps me base my decisions on the desires of the community. This is the kind of dialogue that we should be able to have with our elected officials.
For my part of that dialogue I also like to be able to inform people on what is currently happening that they might not have known all the details of. My hope is that after we've spoken I'll know how they feel and they'll know the facts of what is happening.
So in that vein here is a copy of the note I've sent to a couple of the people who have written in support of additional funding for the Centre:
"Thanks for your note,
I've been a supporter of the Centre for quite a while so I'm concerned about it's security and ability to continue to operate, just as you are. Two of the specific areas where I've supported the Centre at the council table are;
• The renovation that is currently under way. This project is currently budgeted at just under $1 Million to retrofit all the mechanical and electrical systems, plus add an elevator for improved access to the whole building. The funding for this is 100% city dollars.
• The increased operating grant to the Centre in the 2008 -10 budget. I was totally supportive of moving the grant up from about $47, 000 to just over $80, 000 per year.
Additionally of course the Centre pays no rent to the city for the use of the building. The concept of course is that if there's no rent they will have the ability to put any money earned back into the operations. The city also does this for a number of community groups like the Live Theater, which has received no other operating dollars from the city (that I'm aware of) before this year.
So, just to be clear I believe the city does support the Centre. Of course if there is additional information to consider in light of the move to the old RCMP building then I'm happy to have it come forward so Council can make a decision. I want to see the Centre for Creative Arts healthy and ready to fill the renovated building with all the activity and vibrancy it provided our community before.
Thanks again for taking the time to write and support the Centre!
I'll take your opinion into account when we get to vote on it.
Bill Given"
It's all in response to thisrequest for funding to cover an operating deficit.
I'm always really happy when people feel passionate enough about something that they are willing to get involved and speak up for it. There's been quite a bit of this lately which is great - we've seen in this term a lot more than in the past two, specifically with Crime Prevention and with the Aquatics Centre.
One thing that happens sometimes is that people write notes without recognizing all the facts. That's ok because it's the job of council members like me to know all the facts. You (the public) are supposed tell me what you think and what you believe in, that helps me base my decisions on the desires of the community. This is the kind of dialogue that we should be able to have with our elected officials.
For my part of that dialogue I also like to be able to inform people on what is currently happening that they might not have known all the details of. My hope is that after we've spoken I'll know how they feel and they'll know the facts of what is happening.
So in that vein here is a copy of the note I've sent to a couple of the people who have written in support of additional funding for the Centre:
"Thanks for your note,
I've been a supporter of the Centre for quite a while so I'm concerned about it's security and ability to continue to operate, just as you are. Two of the specific areas where I've supported the Centre at the council table are;
• The renovation that is currently under way. This project is currently budgeted at just under $1 Million to retrofit all the mechanical and electrical systems, plus add an elevator for improved access to the whole building. The funding for this is 100% city dollars.
• The increased operating grant to the Centre in the 2008 -10 budget. I was totally supportive of moving the grant up from about $47, 000 to just over $80, 000 per year.
Additionally of course the Centre pays no rent to the city for the use of the building. The concept of course is that if there's no rent they will have the ability to put any money earned back into the operations. The city also does this for a number of community groups like the Live Theater, which has received no other operating dollars from the city (that I'm aware of) before this year.
So, just to be clear I believe the city does support the Centre. Of course if there is additional information to consider in light of the move to the old RCMP building then I'm happy to have it come forward so Council can make a decision. I want to see the Centre for Creative Arts healthy and ready to fill the renovated building with all the activity and vibrancy it provided our community before.
Thanks again for taking the time to write and support the Centre!
I'll take your opinion into account when we get to vote on it.
Bill Given"
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