Last Weekend

For two days on the weekend, I canvassed in West Valley. I was surprised by all the new people in that neighbourhood, the several houses that were vacant and the ones for sale. I was able to talk with a number of folks and spent some time having one on one visits. The issues really centre around urban sprawl, lack of planning for growth, and Highway 22. One gentleman suggested that the Town use cost benefit analysis when making investments into infrastructure, services and facilities. His suggestion fits within the new taxation policy that I would like to implement.

He provided that we often do not account for the incidental economic spinoffs that we achieve by investing in facilities that attract people to our community-such as swimming pools that are big enough for tournaments, hockey arenas, and of course performing arts facilities. He suggested that for every development proposal, we should investigate all the potential benefits and costs associated with the project, and then determine net benefit or cost. His idea is that we might change our priorities and invest more appropriately if we actually work through such an exercise every time decision making is employed. Short term gains we achieve through some projects may actually lead to long term costs for generations-a perfect example of this is the sewage pipeline to Calgary that Cochrane will be re-negotiating soon-it was only a 10 year agreement at the time it was finalized. For ten years, Cochrane has benefitted from that agreement-but long term costs may be another story.

The urban sprawl comments were very common. Our facilities and infrastructure are not planned in advance of the growth. We allow development pressures from landowners to push development along that has no associated services, commercial aspect, or connection to the town. In many cases, the developments in the "suburbs" of Cochrane do not produce net benefits to our community, but lead to further and further costs associated with servicing the residents who move there. The resident in West Valley believes that residential development is a net cost to the community.

Highway 22 is a bit of a problem as it runs through Cochrane, but also provides a wonderful opportunity for Cochrane to have a vibrant highway commercial district because goods and services can move along the north south highway to all parts of Alberta. To maximize these opportunities we have to plan developments that do not create traffic hazards to industrial traffic. I agree.

Overall, West Valley citizens I talked to are engaged citizens who want the opportunity to be responsible citizens who contribute and make things happen-they embrace the culture of responsibility. I look forward to several more days and evenings in that part of this wonderful community.

Today I canvassed in three areas of Cochrane, and I have many comments from those citizens-time for a new post!