When Christmas morning arrives this Sunday there are a few things many Innisfailians may want to ponder before the children excitedly scamper to find out what Santa Claus has lovingly placed for them under the tree.
Of course many already know this special day goes beyond presents, as it is a time for family and friends to acknowledge their deep love, commitment and loyalty for each other, and to embrace the always pure and inarguable fact that life with all the dreams and hopes can not be fully realized without each other, that no man or woman can successfully navigate the peaks and valleys of life without the friendship and counsel of those closest and dear.
But there is even more. Innisfail is a community in transition, a town boldly moving forward to realize its own dreams and hopes.
This month town council approved its $23 million 2012 budget. It will mean a three per cent property tax increase for Innisfail citizens. A major part of this budget is the $3.4 million expenditure for downtown revitalization, a project that will see the reconstruction of eight blocks of 50 Street. This is a big part of the community's transition to an exciting future.
Of course dreams such as this do not come without a major price tag. While a good portion of costs will be offset by government infrastructure grants, locals will still play a part with the financial responsibility.
But is a projected three per cent property tax increase an unreasonable burden? Down the highway in Olds citizens are looking at a 3.4 property tax increase for 2012. In Red Deer, city staff has been asked to cut two to five per cent from their operational costs, including staff, as the municipality struggles to find the best fiscal solutions in these challenging times. And in the big cities to the north and south ñ Edmonton and Calgary ñ residents are looking at property tax increases of more than five per cent while still facing substantial challenges to provide core services.
These examples are good reasons to not only feel gratitude for the Innisfail community but to express it.
On that note, there is much to be grateful for.
Once again the Innisfail community has rallied to make sure every citizen has a wonderful Christmas. The Innisfail and District Christmas Bureau and local food bank have worked tirelessly to ensure every child experiences the wonder and generosity of Santa Claus from beneath the tree on Christmas morning, and that everyone can celebrate with a full holiday dinner. Working alongside these two remarkable agencies are local businesses, town firefighters, RCMP members and countless everyday volunteers. They do so because it is simply what citizens should and must do to make their community better. It is a loving collective expression of gratitude.
Perhaps the reward for this gratitude in action is best illustrated by the story of one Innisfail child who nearly went without one past Christmas.
It happened long ago on a warm Christmas Eve. The Christmas Bureau office was closed. But a referral came in for a single mother with two small children. Instead of just going home and ignoring the need, a bureau staff member immediately sought help from a local business. She gathered up new toys and a gift card. The volunteer drove to the home of the needy family to drop off the gifts, which were piled neatly in large black garbage bags. She knocked on the door. A small boy answered. The mother was waiting inside at the top of the stairs with her tiny daughter wrapped tightly around her legs. The volunteer, clad in a brilliant red jogging suit, wished the family Merry Christmas. She left the gifts at the door.
As she was walking back to her car, she heard the voice of the little boy from behind.
"Thank you Mrs. Claus. You made my day."
Gratitude had been both expressed and earned.
