OLDS — On Dec. 9, town council will hold a public hearing on a couple of bylaw changes that would allow the Town of Olds to advertise in other communication media besides newspapers or radio.
That hearing will begin at 1 p.m. in council chambers.
For decades, the Town of Olds was required by law to do all its advertising in traditional news media, such as in newspapers.
However, in recent years, the Municipal Government Act has been changed to enable that advertising to be done via other forms of communication such as social media, newsletters or on municipalities' websites.
A Town of Olds document says its own analytics and input from a recent budget survey regarding how residents obtain news about the community suggests “it is prudent to provide us with greater flexibility on how we advertise and commence statutory 30-day notice periods.”
“While there are no plans to change our current forms of advertising, such as the newspaper, this does allow us that little bit more of flexibility, should we need it,” acting chief administrative officer Sheena Linderman said during council’s Nov. 12 meeting.
The proposed change requires amendments to the Town of Olds' advertising bylaw as well as provisions of its land use bylaw, and those changes require a public hearing before possible passage.
Albertan publisher Murray Elliott reacted to the proposed changes which he is opposed to.
“We have always had a great working relationship with administration and council since I started the Albertan in 1993 and it continues today,” Elliott said.
“I know the proposed amendment changes are designed to expedite public notices using digital methods that eliminate the weekly cycle of our newspaper.
“I suggest, however, the Albertan continues to be one of the most effective tools of communication, in both print and digital form.
“Our weekly publishing schedule may be perceived as an inconvenience to administration and some developers, but that’s a small price to pay to continue to offer citizens a reliable, easily accessible means of communication.”
