Re: Letter: Town of Sundre needs to communicate better
While we value differing opinions, council made a formal policy commitment to our residents, that states “the Town of Sundre council is committed to transparency and is accountable to the electors of the municipality. The public have a right to know when information is incorrect or is posted that misrepresents or misleads the public...”
With regard to the Town of Sundre communicating with our residents, the information below describes some of the many opportunities for residents to receive information from the municipality.
This term of council has held a minimum of two open houses per year to gather feedback and request input from our residents on budgets, goals and objectives, policies and bylaws, and statutory planning documents.
We have held the open houses at different times of the day and in the evenings to try and accommodate as many of our residents as possible and have kept a careful record of the numbers of people that attend each time. We have found that the highest attendance was during the day.
In addition, council made the decision to hold council meetings at an earlier time in hopes of enticing more residents to attend. Since 2018, the average attendance at evening council meetings is between zero and one person. On rare occasions, there have been more than two people in attendance.
In October of each year, council holds an organizational meeting, where the calendar for the next year is approved. The calendar is posted on the Town of Sundre website so that residents and businesses have these dates well in advance to ensure they have ample time to mark their calendars with events that they want to participate in. This year, council identified the two dates for budget discussions on the calendar, so residents have ample notice to attend if they choose to.
Additionally, the Town of Sundre mails and emails a monthly utility insert that goes to all Town of Sundre utility customers. The insert includes a special message from council, with highlights from the two council meetings from the previous month.
For example, the February 2024 utility bill included a full breakdown of the budget processes and included the open house dates to encourage residents to be involved. A reminder of the fall open house date was included in the September monthly message insert.\
The Sundre mayor has an open invitation posted in the weekly paper to residents and businesses to meet to discuss concerns or suggestions pertaining to municipal matters in the Town of Sundre.
The Town of Sundre has adopted a Citizen Communication Policy, which includes a citizen communication form, accessible on the town's website, where citizens can communicate with the town via email, or by phoning the town office. The town provides a tracking number and information on how and when we will be communicating a response to the concern. The Citizen Communication Policy was written by citizens in the community, for citizens in the community, through a committee of area residents and town administration.
Council welcomes citizens to attend a regular council meeting as a delegation by following the process set out in the town’s Procedural Bylaw. The delegation must contact the Town of Sundre by the Wednesday prior to the council meeting they wish to attend, explaining the purpose and identifying the representative that will be speaking on the matter, and administration will include the delegation on the agenda.
The public are always welcome to attend a council meeting as a delegation, or just to hear council deliberations.
Sundre is a small town and almost everyone knows a member of council that they communicate with regularly. Council speaks with residents on almost a daily basis, and comments and discussion are always appreciated and valued.
How can you get involved? Be willing to be a participant, search, reach out, and ask questions to ensure you receive factual information.
Respectfully,
Town of Sundre council: mayor Richard Warnock, deputy mayor Owen Petersen, councillor Connie Anderson, councillor Todd Dalke, councillor Paul Isaac, councillor Jaime Marr and councillor Chris Vardas
