Next Saturday, I will be walking Ace in the Mutt Strut as part of The Animal Oasis Team. This event raises funds for the Cochrane Humane Society, and The Animal Oasis is a great company from Calgary that is participating this year. The strut starts at Mitford Park. You can learn more on the society's website.
Sunday, September 19, I will be volunteering and participating at the Terry Fox Run. I have not missed this event since it started in Cochrane, and I used to be the organizer. The run starts at the Spray Lake Sawmills Rec Centre at 1:00 but there is a registration so come early. I look forward to seeing all my friends there.
Both events enable sponsorship, so that people who want to contribute can donate through my pledge sheet. I am always looking for sponsorship, so let me know.
Tomorrow, when I get back from my Calgary Region Airshed Zone meeting, I will discuss developing facilities and infrastructure and what I am committed to doing if elected. Keep following along with me. Many thanks to all the well-wishers I met today along the Parade Route-that was great!
Monday, September 6, 2010
Saturday, September 4, 2010
New Innovative Taxation Policy
Does it ever seem to you that taxes assessed on the "market value" of your home or business property are very strange sources of stable municipal revenue? This system of "property tax revenue" was instituted by the government of Alberta several years ago. Your property taxes collected under this system are not used only for municipal facilities and services, but also for school facilities and services.
Many citizens don't really understand "market value", and I would like to ensure that people who are required to pay property taxes do understand the terminology and reason for property taxes and how they are assessed and levied. This is an important aspect of a new taxation policy for Cochrane. It is not good enough just to provide citizens with a pie chart and a questionnaire at budget time or just before the tax rate is set: the corporation needs to provide educational opportunities for citizens to engage in dialogue and learn more about taxation. Education of citizens is just one, but a crucial, aspect of the taxation policy I propose.
The market value of residential and business property rises and falls over time. Canadians, Albertans and Cochranites are all in a "real estate bubble" wherein market value of our properties may fall in the near future if our economy cannot sustain the high property values we currently enjoy. If our total market value assessment falls in Cochrane, then the tax rate that is applied against the total market value assessment will need to increase to ensure that there are sufficient funds to run the municipal corporation and provide you with all the services and facilities you want and need to sustain your quality of life. The business community is also affected by fluctuating market value assessments and it becomes difficult to predict what tax increases will affect business profit margins each year.
The annual market value assessment is based on what the market value of your property was in June of the preceding year. This year, in June, the property values were relatively stable. However, next June when the new tax rate is applied to that market value assessment, property values may have fallen. The appraised market value is therefore never a true indication of your property's market value in the year it is applied against the tax rate-it reflects the previous year's value. People are confused by this.
I often wonder if Cochrane has explored the many mechanisms available and variety of economic instruments that could be used to ensure stable revenues to achieve council objectives. While user fees have increased substantially lately, few people realize that there have been increases, and fewer still understand why user fees are applied at all. What I hear going door to door is that people want less taxes and less utility rate increases-not more. Mostly, they want to understand why some people pay more taxes than others. People want to understand the difference between a base rate on their water bills and a consumption rate.
Tax incentives are also a good mechanism to achieve Council objectives. Council needs to plan for and explore tax incentives for encouraging citizens to engage in many activities and contribute to development of community programs and facilities. For example, the Cochrane Sustainability Plan provides that "water is our most precious resource" and demonstrates pathways to realize this lofty goal. Council could encourage respectful use of water through tax incentives-we do not need to have sky-rocketing water bills to achieve this stated objective. For example, naturescaping is a perfectly fine alternative to cookie -cutter lawns and gardens that use thirsty ornamentals. If the municiplaity encouraged naturescaping in all new developments, as per the Town Land Use Bylaw, then indigenous plants and materials would be used that require little or no irrigation. As of today, the Town does not even implement its own "landscaping" provisions in the land use bylaw.
I will be coming back to taxation policy over the course of the campaign as people ask me questions and direct my attention to their concerns about taxes. Stay with me over time, and I know you will find taxation policy a needed and innovative concept that might improve how the municipality engages citizens and does better business. Perhaps the most important aspect of the taxation policy I propose is that it be "deliberate", where everything is planned and determined throught collaboration and open public debate and dialogue with interested citizens.
One thing is sure, I will be opposed to any suggestion or agenda item brought forward where councillors or the mayor want a salary increase during the next three year term of office. There is absolutely no justification for a group of candidates to ask you to vote for them, based on what the municipality can afford to provide for councillor services, and then as soon as elected, ask for more money to do the job. The current salaries and job descriptions are posted on the Town's website-those are the salaries that candidates can expect to receive for the services they provide to you as members of council, and if it seems insufficient, then they simply should not apply for the job! Enough is enough!
Many citizens don't really understand "market value", and I would like to ensure that people who are required to pay property taxes do understand the terminology and reason for property taxes and how they are assessed and levied. This is an important aspect of a new taxation policy for Cochrane. It is not good enough just to provide citizens with a pie chart and a questionnaire at budget time or just before the tax rate is set: the corporation needs to provide educational opportunities for citizens to engage in dialogue and learn more about taxation. Education of citizens is just one, but a crucial, aspect of the taxation policy I propose.
The market value of residential and business property rises and falls over time. Canadians, Albertans and Cochranites are all in a "real estate bubble" wherein market value of our properties may fall in the near future if our economy cannot sustain the high property values we currently enjoy. If our total market value assessment falls in Cochrane, then the tax rate that is applied against the total market value assessment will need to increase to ensure that there are sufficient funds to run the municipal corporation and provide you with all the services and facilities you want and need to sustain your quality of life. The business community is also affected by fluctuating market value assessments and it becomes difficult to predict what tax increases will affect business profit margins each year.
The annual market value assessment is based on what the market value of your property was in June of the preceding year. This year, in June, the property values were relatively stable. However, next June when the new tax rate is applied to that market value assessment, property values may have fallen. The appraised market value is therefore never a true indication of your property's market value in the year it is applied against the tax rate-it reflects the previous year's value. People are confused by this.
I often wonder if Cochrane has explored the many mechanisms available and variety of economic instruments that could be used to ensure stable revenues to achieve council objectives. While user fees have increased substantially lately, few people realize that there have been increases, and fewer still understand why user fees are applied at all. What I hear going door to door is that people want less taxes and less utility rate increases-not more. Mostly, they want to understand why some people pay more taxes than others. People want to understand the difference between a base rate on their water bills and a consumption rate.
Tax incentives are also a good mechanism to achieve Council objectives. Council needs to plan for and explore tax incentives for encouraging citizens to engage in many activities and contribute to development of community programs and facilities. For example, the Cochrane Sustainability Plan provides that "water is our most precious resource" and demonstrates pathways to realize this lofty goal. Council could encourage respectful use of water through tax incentives-we do not need to have sky-rocketing water bills to achieve this stated objective. For example, naturescaping is a perfectly fine alternative to cookie -cutter lawns and gardens that use thirsty ornamentals. If the municiplaity encouraged naturescaping in all new developments, as per the Town Land Use Bylaw, then indigenous plants and materials would be used that require little or no irrigation. As of today, the Town does not even implement its own "landscaping" provisions in the land use bylaw.
I will be coming back to taxation policy over the course of the campaign as people ask me questions and direct my attention to their concerns about taxes. Stay with me over time, and I know you will find taxation policy a needed and innovative concept that might improve how the municipality engages citizens and does better business. Perhaps the most important aspect of the taxation policy I propose is that it be "deliberate", where everything is planned and determined throught collaboration and open public debate and dialogue with interested citizens.
One thing is sure, I will be opposed to any suggestion or agenda item brought forward where councillors or the mayor want a salary increase during the next three year term of office. There is absolutely no justification for a group of candidates to ask you to vote for them, based on what the municipality can afford to provide for councillor services, and then as soon as elected, ask for more money to do the job. The current salaries and job descriptions are posted on the Town's website-those are the salaries that candidates can expect to receive for the services they provide to you as members of council, and if it seems insufficient, then they simply should not apply for the job! Enough is enough!
Friday, September 3, 2010
Key Messages
There are five key elements of my campaign platform. I will list the key elements here, and then each one will be explained in detail over the next few days.
There are two umbrella statements that frame my campaign:
1. Cochrane can do better! As my community of choice, it is worth my investment of time and energy to serve on Council.
2. The Cochrane Sustainability Plan needs to be implemented across all sectors of our community. It is not good enough to roll out a community plan that shows how we are dots within Cochrane's urban landscape-Council must provide leadership and demonstrate how the dots are all connected.
The five key elements of my campaignare listed below.
I am committed to and will work to achieve:
1. A new innovative taxation policy;
2. Providing needed facilities and infrastructure;
3. Up front public participation in planning;
4. Research and understanding, staff training and development; and
5. Sustaining community assets for future prosperity.
I am not a rubber stamp. I am an independent thinker, and research extensively before making decisions that may affect the quality of life of people in Cochrane. Your opinions count.
There are two umbrella statements that frame my campaign:
1. Cochrane can do better! As my community of choice, it is worth my investment of time and energy to serve on Council.
2. The Cochrane Sustainability Plan needs to be implemented across all sectors of our community. It is not good enough to roll out a community plan that shows how we are dots within Cochrane's urban landscape-Council must provide leadership and demonstrate how the dots are all connected.
The five key elements of my campaignare listed below.
I am committed to and will work to achieve:
1. A new innovative taxation policy;
2. Providing needed facilities and infrastructure;
3. Up front public participation in planning;
4. Research and understanding, staff training and development; and
5. Sustaining community assets for future prosperity.
I am not a rubber stamp. I am an independent thinker, and research extensively before making decisions that may affect the quality of life of people in Cochrane. Your opinions count.
Monday, August 30, 2010
Credentials
Today I was asked what credentials I hold that make me competent to serve on town council.
First, I am a teacher and lawyer with hard earned experience and training, and currently actively engaged professionally in mediation, facilitation and consensus decision making. I no longer participate in litigation as a lawyer. I am a civic minded person who believes that people should be willing to serve their community. To me, being on council is all about serving you, keeping taxes as low as possible and being available to meet with you to learn about your issues.
Second, I have plenty of experience in both the roles of councillor and mayor. I served Cochrane from 1992-1998 as a councillor under the leadership of former Mayor Lydia Graham. I did not seek a third term as councillor in 1998, but after three years off to article and practice law as an "associate" with a downtown law firm, became mayor in 2001. I served as mayor for three years. During those nine years, I served on almost every board, committee, task force and initiative in one capacity or another. I enjoy hard work, and can multi-task such that everything is completed in a timely way.
Third, I am well connected to local, regional and provincial agencies that work toward improved water and land use planning, and resource conservation and management. I believe that I can add capacity to help Cochrane secure a long term water supply for our growth. I enjoy working alongside provincial agencies to ensure that Cochrane is always on the leading edge of innovation and technology. For example, as a councillor, I was able to introduce storm water public utility fees on our water bills to ensure that we had funds in place to retrofit and improve our storm drainage management systems. Just recently, Calgary has adopted a similar program. Also, with Lydia Graham we pushed for operating and capital reserves to be put in place to ensure funds would be in place when equipment and facilities were required. Now, reserve funds are commonplace.
Fourth, I have the time, energy and inspiration to serve my community by understanding the need for and encouraging public participation, empowering citizenship and stewardship of our resources. I strongly support sustainability, and will be happy to chat with anyone who wants to learn more about how they can implement Cochrane's Sustainability Plan on a daily basis. Most of you already embrace the principles of the plan and are actively engaged without understanding the terminology-I would like to help you understand what a vibrant and exciting community we are building together every day we live here.
Cochrane needs engaged citizens who take responsibility for their community and ensure that all aspects of community building are reflected in local decision making. I am an engaged citizen, and this drives me to collaborate towards open reasoned debate, and effective decision making, and thus serve you better.
Tomorrow, I will discuss the five key points of what I want to achieve if the voters return me to council chambers on October 18.
I will also provide the key information for voters about where to vote and how to vote by special ballots.
First, I am a teacher and lawyer with hard earned experience and training, and currently actively engaged professionally in mediation, facilitation and consensus decision making. I no longer participate in litigation as a lawyer. I am a civic minded person who believes that people should be willing to serve their community. To me, being on council is all about serving you, keeping taxes as low as possible and being available to meet with you to learn about your issues.
Second, I have plenty of experience in both the roles of councillor and mayor. I served Cochrane from 1992-1998 as a councillor under the leadership of former Mayor Lydia Graham. I did not seek a third term as councillor in 1998, but after three years off to article and practice law as an "associate" with a downtown law firm, became mayor in 2001. I served as mayor for three years. During those nine years, I served on almost every board, committee, task force and initiative in one capacity or another. I enjoy hard work, and can multi-task such that everything is completed in a timely way.
Third, I am well connected to local, regional and provincial agencies that work toward improved water and land use planning, and resource conservation and management. I believe that I can add capacity to help Cochrane secure a long term water supply for our growth. I enjoy working alongside provincial agencies to ensure that Cochrane is always on the leading edge of innovation and technology. For example, as a councillor, I was able to introduce storm water public utility fees on our water bills to ensure that we had funds in place to retrofit and improve our storm drainage management systems. Just recently, Calgary has adopted a similar program. Also, with Lydia Graham we pushed for operating and capital reserves to be put in place to ensure funds would be in place when equipment and facilities were required. Now, reserve funds are commonplace.
Fourth, I have the time, energy and inspiration to serve my community by understanding the need for and encouraging public participation, empowering citizenship and stewardship of our resources. I strongly support sustainability, and will be happy to chat with anyone who wants to learn more about how they can implement Cochrane's Sustainability Plan on a daily basis. Most of you already embrace the principles of the plan and are actively engaged without understanding the terminology-I would like to help you understand what a vibrant and exciting community we are building together every day we live here.
Cochrane needs engaged citizens who take responsibility for their community and ensure that all aspects of community building are reflected in local decision making. I am an engaged citizen, and this drives me to collaborate towards open reasoned debate, and effective decision making, and thus serve you better.
Tomorrow, I will discuss the five key points of what I want to achieve if the voters return me to council chambers on October 18.
I will also provide the key information for voters about where to vote and how to vote by special ballots.
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Naturescaping in Cochrane's Land Use Bylaw
"Naturescaping" means the modification or enhancement of a lot or development area through the use of natural indigenous vegetation, such as trees, shrubs, hedges, grasses and other ground cover, in conjunction with permeable or pervious surfacing material, such as bricks, stones, wood and other indigenous landscaping materials.
The Table on pages 40-41 of the Land Use Bylaw provides the regulations for naturescaping. Here is the link to the bylaw. This is an office consolidation to 2009, and you cna scroll through to the pages noted for Landscaping Provisions:
http://www.cochrane.ca/municipal/toc/webcms.nsf/AllDoc/46C2489FCE8BB666872573D700659445/$File/LUB%20Office%20Consolidation.pdf?OpenElement
The Table on pages 40-41 of the Land Use Bylaw provides the regulations for naturescaping. Here is the link to the bylaw. This is an office consolidation to 2009, and you cna scroll through to the pages noted for Landscaping Provisions:
http://www.cochrane.ca/municipal/toc/webcms.nsf/AllDoc/46C2489FCE8BB666872573D700659445/$File/LUB%20Office%20Consolidation.pdf?OpenElement
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Naturescaping and Xeriscaping in Cochrane
In my last few days, I have been hearing a lot from new residents about Cochrane's Land Use Bylaw and the requirement to have 25% naturescaping of any required landscaped areas in new residential developments in Cochrane. That land use bylaw was passed in 2005, and as such, any new subdivision or development approved after that date is required to include this "naturescaping" component. Naturescaping is defined in the Cochrane Land Use Bylaw, and the materials and methodology for naturescaping are set out within that document.
In many of the conversations I have had, people are confusing "xeriscaping" with naturescaping, as defined and understood by local area naturalists.
The link below is to a Lethbridge area document that promotes xeriscaping in residential developments for the purpose of conserving water and retaining water onsite.
Tomorrow, I will provide some information about the Cochrane Land Use Bylaw re: naturescaping and links to "naturescaping" websites. You can determine the differences between the two landscaping options, and perhaps understand why there is so much confusion about using these landscaping techniques and strategies. You may come to appreciate why a person would deliberately choose natural indigenous landscape materials-"naturescaping"- or instead choose from a variety of landscape materials; both natural and man made synthetics-"xeriscaping" to achieve maximum water conservation and water retention onsite. Generally, Xeriscaping requires a minimal amount of maintenance and irrigation. Generally, Naturescaping uses indigenous landscape materials which require less irrigation, and less maintenance, but provide landscapes that mimic pre-development natural ecosystems for local species.
Both are "good" alternatives to Kentucky Bluegrass sod and one tree per lot, which landscaping creates "cookie-cutter" residential streetscapes where maximum storm drainage flows as quickly as possible offsite. Traditional landscaping treats storm drainage as nuisance water and not as the wonderful water resource it is!
Check it out:
http://www.lethbridge.ca/NR/rdonlyres/0A45A58D-FD3A-4A1E-A0EA-443E360FF7D6/11566/XeriscapeBrochure_CityofLethbridge.pdf
In many of the conversations I have had, people are confusing "xeriscaping" with naturescaping, as defined and understood by local area naturalists.
The link below is to a Lethbridge area document that promotes xeriscaping in residential developments for the purpose of conserving water and retaining water onsite.
Tomorrow, I will provide some information about the Cochrane Land Use Bylaw re: naturescaping and links to "naturescaping" websites. You can determine the differences between the two landscaping options, and perhaps understand why there is so much confusion about using these landscaping techniques and strategies. You may come to appreciate why a person would deliberately choose natural indigenous landscape materials-"naturescaping"- or instead choose from a variety of landscape materials; both natural and man made synthetics-"xeriscaping" to achieve maximum water conservation and water retention onsite. Generally, Xeriscaping requires a minimal amount of maintenance and irrigation. Generally, Naturescaping uses indigenous landscape materials which require less irrigation, and less maintenance, but provide landscapes that mimic pre-development natural ecosystems for local species.
Both are "good" alternatives to Kentucky Bluegrass sod and one tree per lot, which landscaping creates "cookie-cutter" residential streetscapes where maximum storm drainage flows as quickly as possible offsite. Traditional landscaping treats storm drainage as nuisance water and not as the wonderful water resource it is!
Check it out:
http://www.lethbridge.ca/NR/rdonlyres/0A45A58D-FD3A-4A1E-A0EA-443E360FF7D6/11566/XeriscapeBrochure_CityofLethbridge.pdf
Friday, August 20, 2010
Link to Sustainability Newsletter
I am honoured to be a Sustainability Ambassador, and am posting a link to their website where I was profiled this month:
http://cochranesustainability.ca/take-action/ambassadors-judy/?utm_source=SPUR+Sustainability+List&utm_campaign=04187a603f-August_Cochrane_Sustainability_E_News7_3_2010&utm_medium=email
http://cochranesustainability.ca/take-action/ambassadors-judy/?utm_source=SPUR+Sustainability+List&utm_campaign=04187a603f-August_Cochrane_Sustainability_E_News7_3_2010&utm_medium=email
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