The Town of Innisfail now has a new corporate vision, mission and values statements as guides for the future.
The three statements, approved by council at its Jan. 8 regular meeting, speak of hope, as well as the spirit of the town’s citizen-centred community that boldly marches forward into the future.
"All were the subject of much discussion and debate throughout the strategic planning process, and accurately reflect council’s long-term vision for the community,” said Mayor Jim Romane in a news release sent out by the town.
"Not only do we now have something to strive for, we’ve also got the principles and direction to lead us there — a complete and prosperous community.”
The release ends with the announcement the 2018-2021 draft strategic plan is expected to be tabled for approval later this month.
So what does the short-term future hold for the town as far as what this council and administration hope to accomplish?
Other than identifying public participation as a priority during the strategic planning sessions last month, the town has so far stayed tight-lipped on what will come out of this document.
Council and administration do deserve credit for moving on this issue quickly. However, in all fairness it was first initiated by the previous council and administration, but stalled because work on the modernized Municipal Government Act was still incomplete.
Nevertheless, it is done and many in the community now have a legislated right to expect better community engagement from their civic leaders. After all, the values statement passed by council on Jan. 8 does contain the word "participation.”
Going forward, it is hoped by the scribbler that council will put two items high on its list of priorities on the soon-to-be-released strategic plan.
One of them is the choice for the skatepark location, a decision that angered many and received scant prior public participation. This issue needs a thorough re-look by the town, and in the end it shouldn’t really matter to most citizens what the town’s final decision is. Just do the process properly.
And then there is the need for a full-time economic development officer. The town urgently needs to bring on an energetic and creative professional to attract new business to the community. It would trigger renewed prosperity to the town, and would earn the town credibility from businesses thinking of setting up shop here.
By the way, prosperity and credibility are also key words in the town’s new values statement.
Writing them was the easy part. Making them happen is tougher. That is the challenge ahead for council and administration.
Johnnie Bachusky is the editor of the Innisfail Province.
