DIDSBURY - Mayor Rhonda Hunter has issued a release outlining some of her recent activities in and outside the municipality. She has also provided an update the skateboard project, road projects, taxation, and other topics. The column reads as follows:
"I was privileged to attend the recent Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) conference in Quebec City May 31-June 2. This year’s conference theme, Building Better Lives, showcased the power and influence of local government by bringing together 2,100 delegates representing hundreds of communities across Canada.
At the conference, delegates shared and listened to ideas about how to improve lives of residents in their communities and were strongly encouraged by the growing influence of the local order of government. This fact was further solidified by the presence of and speeches by all national party leaders - Andrew Scheer, Elizabeth May, Jagmeet Singh, and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Building Better Lives (FCM) follows Alberta Urban Municipalities Association (AUMA) annual conference where Strong Communities Build Alberta was the theme, and, between the two associations, there can be no doubt that local government is the government who under- stands and addresses the issues and challenges that their municipalities face. This is the government closest to people’s daily lives, our voices are being heard by federal and provincial governments.
My point is that there is a common thread emerging: local government, municipal councils, is the level of government that speaks loud and clear and stands up for our communities and our residents. We are the ones who experience everything as a resident of the community and commit to Build Better Lives and Strong Communities.
So, when I am asked if council made the right decision to spend $183,000 on an asphalt rehabilitation program that will increase the level of service provided by the town’s road network on seven identified failing areas of our road network, the answer is yes.
When I am asked what council is doing about the areas on the roads where 8 water main and 6 sewer line breaks occurred over the winter, I can confirm that Council has approved $81,000 to ensure that the areas that were dug up are returned to acceptable condition for our road network. Reserves are still healthy with these approvals.
When questioned about the skatepark project, I 100 per cent support that this facility will Build Better Lives in a Strong Community and provide years of enjoyment to facility users. So will a future off-leash dog park, a municipal library expansion, and the addition of an Economic Development Officer into our administrative organizational structure.
Council has recently created and approved a Community Recognition Policy, a Community Partnership Projects Policy, has directed that a Road Preservation Policy be created and that we strengthen our procurement policy to be more sensitive to the inclusion of local contrac- tors. We have directed that Administration bring back Community Standards Policy wording to strengthen our ability to deal with aban- doned, unsightly projects and properties in town.
Is this the year to raise residential taxes two per cent and lower nonresidential by two per cent? Yes it is. Our business community needs this decrease in these trying economic times. Council is cognizant of the impact of an increase in property tax – we feel it as residents, as well, and we strive to ensure that all dollars are optimally utilized for maximum community outcomes.
Council is committed to Building Better Lives and a Strong Community for Didsbury. We do not sit around waiting for things to happen, we work to make things happen, looking out for the social, economic, and cultural/recreational well-being of Didsbury. And there is still lots to do.
