For two days I canvassed Glenbow during the day and the East End at night. It will take me three more days to finish these areas, and I am enjoying the good weather and friendly people.
In Glenbow, people's interests in the election ranged from dissatisfaction with decision making by the past council with respect to the brand and council pay hikes, to unhappiness with the current RV Bylaw, to growth management and taxation policy. People did not understand the difference between tax increases and user fee increases or how these decisions are made as it all seems arbitrary. For example, what were the increased costs associated with delivery of potable water that necessitated the user fee increase in water rates? I was asked, if elected, to keep taxes as low as possible-a big task to be sure, given all the infrastructure and facilities we need.
In the East End, the pathway connector is a big issue due to the uncertainty of when CPR will allow construction, as location as been decided. There is some issue with respect to "whistle blowing policy" that is being resolved. I was able to let folks know the process that the Cochrane Settlement Community Association engaged in with the Town and residents to ensure everyone could live with what the council was proposing. Some people think I am personally against the pathway connector and that is balderdash-I was opposed to the connector being built without community consultation with residents who may be directly affected. A line on a map is not public consultation-it is confusing and misleading to draw a line on the map and not explain what is being proposed. Now that consultation is being addressed, I am satisfied that process will be followed through. As well, as a note, the community association was also able to ask the town to extend the connector pathway west along the south of the tracks so that East End residents could go to Safeway, the Library etc. This is an added bonus in my view, and work done by the community, not the council. I am discovering purposefully planted misinformation about me and my motivations on a number of issues, which is saddening to me, but there is little I can do except continue my door to door campaign with integrity.
Last night, the lack of public consultation on the brand was the topic of discussion in the East End, as well as the Town's failure to keep the sidewalks user friendly for seniors at the Big Hill Lodge. It seems that the lack of sidewalks on Baird is a big problem as people walk down the streets and speeding is a problem, meaning people fear for their safety.
In Glenbow, citizens were concerned that the Town does not control the beavers which means that mature poplars are disappearing at an alarming rate along the Big Hill Creek. CEAC engaged the Canada World Youth to help a subcommittee put wire mesh around some poplars last year, but that program is not being continued by parks. People are frustrated that natural areas are not being maintained by our parks staff.
Two younger voters do not support Walmart in the downtown core-they believe that Walmart will wipe out the local shops in the downtown core-they both stated that they shop locally and support the local economy and wish the Town would do the same. From our youth, this was hopeful to me. One man suggested that we review the entire RFP process to ensure that local contractors can compete for town projects. His words, "what is wrong with the Town's RFPs: local contractors are not able to compete". He talked about the business licensing aspect that requires small businesses such as piano teachers to have licenses to teach 3 students in their homes, and whether this is discouraging these enterprises due to hefty fees. This bylaw should be reviewed, as should all of the town's bylaws to ensure they are still reflective of community values.
Thanks you to all of you who have taken time to talk to me about your issues and concerns. I will be out and about in Bow Ridge tonight and tomorrow, and Gleneagles over the weekend. Hope to see you on one of my walks. September is almost over-only 18 days to election.
No comments:
Post a Comment