Residents Vote for Amalgamation

Just a quick note, I posted before on the movement towards amalgamation in the Lac La Biche area. The County and Town there are looking at joining together to form a single municipality. It had to go to a vote of the public and the results are in as of the 30th. I just received this note:

Sent: May 1, 2007 9:10 AM
Subject: Amalgamation Plebiscite Results

Good Morning Folks,

Unofficially, our April 30, 2007 Amalgamation Plebiscite results are as follows:

Lakeland County YES: 684 (53%) NO: 604 (47%) TOTAL: 1288 votes
Town of Lac La Biche YES 487 (93%) NO: 38 (7%) TOTAL: 525 votes
TOTAL YES 1171 (65%) NO: 642 (35%) TOTAL: 1813 votes

In the adopted terms of reference, both municipal councils have agreed to abide by the decision of the electorate, therefore, an amalgamation of the two municipalities is underway.

Media Relase attached.


PRESS RELEASE
TOWN OF LAC LA BICHE

AMALGAMATION PLEBISCITE

Residents of the Town of Lac La Biche and Lakeland County were asked today to vote on the following question:

“Are you in favor of the Town of Lac La Biche and Lakeland County amalgamating to from one municipality?”

Results of the April 30, 2007 Amalgamation Vote are:

YES: 487 (93%) NO: 38(7%) TOTAL 525 votes

”From the number of folks who turned out to vote and the overwhelming YES results, it is clear that the Lac La Biche residents favor one governing structure for our community” says Mayor Tom Lett."

Very interesting, looks like the public in the Lac La Biche area have decided to move forward. They must recognize that they are an integrated region.

Quick Round Up

A few quick hits for your reading pleasure

Amalgamation On The Way?
Residents in the Town of Lac La Biche and Lakeland County are going to vote on amalgamation.
story

My Comment: I'll read the docs and get back to you. Interesting that this is in the Minister of Municipal Affairs home consticuency.

New Hospital In The Budget For GP?
Premier Stelmach let it slip that there is money for a new Grande Prairie hospital in the budget.
story

My Comment: About time, it's gonna cost more than they think. (I would have linked to the DHT but sadly they haven't updated the site as of 4:30 Friday.

CanadaWest Foundation: Residents Feel Cities Have Enough Money
Survey of large western cities shows that the infrastructure deficit message isn't getting accross to the public.
story

My Comment:What?! Are you kidding me?! Obviously we aren't getting through to the public like we want to. Maybe they should read my post on the infrastructure deficit.

Liberal Municipal Affairs & Housing Critic Visits GP
MLA Dave Taylor, Liberal shadow minster for Municipal Affairs & Housing checks out the housing crunch in Grande Prairie.
story

My Comment:We had a chance to meet with Dave as a council & it was great to see him make the time to visit GP. I wish we had more MLAs making the trip.