Thursday, September 30, 2010
Glenbow again!
Tonight I spent all evening in Glenbow. The power was off when I first arrived in that community so it gave a new meaning to door-kocking. Thanks to everyone who spoke with me. The only new issue raised this evening was with respect to communciation. Several citizens hope that communciation between the Town and citizens will improve.
September 28-29, 2010
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.
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.
Monday, September 27, 2010
September 27, 2010-West Valley
Tonight I was in West Valley and heard a lot about traffic and noise caused by trucks on Highway 22 and the CPR trains. Apparently, trucks on Highway 22 are using jake breaks at all hours of the day and night when they approach the Quigley Drive intersection. This could be dealt with through signage and bylaw enforcement. The West Valley community may require sound attenuation fencing or berms soon if the traffic noise continues to increase. It is very noisy to stand there and listen to the highway noise. When a train went by, we could not talk when standing outside.
I also heard quite a bit about how unhappy some folks are with the brand and how the decision was made to change our Men of Vision "Discover the Natural West" logo. I was interested that two different families said they would agree to pay to have the old brand re-instated, even though so much money has already been wasted to change everything over. We talked a lot about how the change has affected feelings of trust for the current councillors who went against public opinion to push the new brand through. Others are unhappy with the brand, but agree that we could live with it for a few years and then review the whole process when the Sustainability Plan comes up for review. If the new brand has not worked to attract new businesses to this community as the council claimed, then maybe the community could be involved in a new branding project to re-instate the Men of Vision as our rightful icon. I know I am personally not at all happy with the "painted pony" as it has been called, but I can wait a few years to see if it does help with marketing our community to outsiders. I am very disappointed that council did not listen to the public on this one when they had the chance.
I was able to invite many new people to the Forum at Frank Wills Hall that is scheduled for Sunday, October 3, 2010 from 7-9. I hope all candidates will be in attendance to give new citizens an opportunity to hear them answer questions. I know of no other forums this election, which is a shame, because some people make their decisions about voting for candidates based on these events.
Tomorrow I plan to continue in West Valley, and then head into Gleneagles in the evening.
Thanks to everyone who took time to talk with me about your issues. I learned a lot.
I also heard quite a bit about how unhappy some folks are with the brand and how the decision was made to change our Men of Vision "Discover the Natural West" logo. I was interested that two different families said they would agree to pay to have the old brand re-instated, even though so much money has already been wasted to change everything over. We talked a lot about how the change has affected feelings of trust for the current councillors who went against public opinion to push the new brand through. Others are unhappy with the brand, but agree that we could live with it for a few years and then review the whole process when the Sustainability Plan comes up for review. If the new brand has not worked to attract new businesses to this community as the council claimed, then maybe the community could be involved in a new branding project to re-instate the Men of Vision as our rightful icon. I know I am personally not at all happy with the "painted pony" as it has been called, but I can wait a few years to see if it does help with marketing our community to outsiders. I am very disappointed that council did not listen to the public on this one when they had the chance.
I was able to invite many new people to the Forum at Frank Wills Hall that is scheduled for Sunday, October 3, 2010 from 7-9. I hope all candidates will be in attendance to give new citizens an opportunity to hear them answer questions. I know of no other forums this election, which is a shame, because some people make their decisions about voting for candidates based on these events.
Tomorrow I plan to continue in West Valley, and then head into Gleneagles in the evening.
Thanks to everyone who took time to talk with me about your issues. I learned a lot.
Campaiging in Heritage Hills with Margaret
Last night, I campaigned in Heritage Hills with my friend Margaret. We heard many comments from new citizens who have moved into the community recently. Mostly they were concerned about the Highway 22 and Highway 1A intersection. They want a pathway connection to the rest of Town and they want to feel part of the community.
There was plenty of discussion about the possibility of a Walmart coming to the Domtar lands, some were for and some were against it. Generally, people want to know that they are welcomed to Cochrane, and that there are opportunities for them to become involved. We enjoyed chatting with some young voters who were convinced to vote for the first time in a municipal election. I did hear from one gentleman who said he will not vote for me in the election and I was very pleased that he felt he could be so candid about his reasons. This is a good sign that people take the time to explain their ideas and let me know how I might improve as a local politician. Several other citizens told me why they will be voting for me, and the discussion was therefore very balanced and useful.
I really enjoyed talking with a resident who recently moved here and works in Calgary. He talked about how lucky Cochrane is to have such a vibrant history and culture. Listening to him, I was very proud of the community and our ability to attract folks from all over Canada as the community of choice.
There was plenty of discussion about the possibility of a Walmart coming to the Domtar lands, some were for and some were against it. Generally, people want to know that they are welcomed to Cochrane, and that there are opportunities for them to become involved. We enjoyed chatting with some young voters who were convinced to vote for the first time in a municipal election. I did hear from one gentleman who said he will not vote for me in the election and I was very pleased that he felt he could be so candid about his reasons. This is a good sign that people take the time to explain their ideas and let me know how I might improve as a local politician. Several other citizens told me why they will be voting for me, and the discussion was therefore very balanced and useful.
I really enjoyed talking with a resident who recently moved here and works in Calgary. He talked about how lucky Cochrane is to have such a vibrant history and culture. Listening to him, I was very proud of the community and our ability to attract folks from all over Canada as the community of choice.
Yesterday, I campaigned in Glenbow and Heritage Hills
Glenbow residents I talked with have a range of issues, from growth and highway intersections to the possibility of a Walmart and community gardens. I was interested that the citizens who live closest to the community garden in Glenbow were not asked before hand whether they supported a garden in their community-odd that! But, overall people were ok with the garden and it looks well maintained and fruitful-pardon the pun. I wonder what other voters think of community gardens generally? I really would like to know.
At least five families I spoke with are very dillillusioned with politics and said they may not vote because their vote never changes anything. I was reminded by these folks that when I was mayor, many of the things I wanted to achieve were defeated by the majority vote of my council. I hope I was able to encourage those folks to try one more time. The motto: only those who try can ever fail-failure is a learning tool. I was encourgaed by the people who said how happy they are that I have thrown my hat back in and so on we go!
I will post later about the campaign in Heritage Hills. There were many conversations worth recalling here. I am taking a legal course today in Calgary but I hope to be around to chat with people in West Terrace/West Valley tonight. Tomorrow I will be in Gleneagles. Better get going!
At least five families I spoke with are very dillillusioned with politics and said they may not vote because their vote never changes anything. I was reminded by these folks that when I was mayor, many of the things I wanted to achieve were defeated by the majority vote of my council. I hope I was able to encourage those folks to try one more time. The motto: only those who try can ever fail-failure is a learning tool. I was encourgaed by the people who said how happy they are that I have thrown my hat back in and so on we go!
I will post later about the campaign in Heritage Hills. There were many conversations worth recalling here. I am taking a legal course today in Calgary but I hope to be around to chat with people in West Terrace/West Valley tonight. Tomorrow I will be in Gleneagles. Better get going!
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Opinions on Public Transit
As I go around town, many citizens talk about public transit and the buses being proposed for purchase by this Council. People are for and against the buses in varying degrees, but the overwhelming statement is that they hope we can afford it. For some people, they just want more open disclosure and information.
People are concerned that we are competing with private enterprise and that perhaps Council should not make any decisions with respect to expenditure on buses until after the election. It is quite a hot topic no matter where I go in Town. I have to agree that Southland should be brought into the picture and they must be on board with the Town's plans.
Public transit is something I support in principle for a number of reasons as stated in the Cochrane Sustainability Plan as a long term solution to many social, economic and environmental problems. However, it would be great if the community could be asked for their support of such a system before any significant money is spent. With community support, the Town can do anything successfully. Without community buy-in and request for such a service, introducing public transit at this time may lead to a divided community. Maybe more time is needed to properly review the proposals. If public transit as is proposed is a good thing for Cochrane and the region given the money during this "green trip" funding opportunity, it will still be a good thing after the election. What's the rush? I just hope nothing is rammed through to avoid a reasoned debate with all opinions and interests on the table. That is what people are saying, and I agree with them.
People are concerned that we are competing with private enterprise and that perhaps Council should not make any decisions with respect to expenditure on buses until after the election. It is quite a hot topic no matter where I go in Town. I have to agree that Southland should be brought into the picture and they must be on board with the Town's plans.
Public transit is something I support in principle for a number of reasons as stated in the Cochrane Sustainability Plan as a long term solution to many social, economic and environmental problems. However, it would be great if the community could be asked for their support of such a system before any significant money is spent. With community support, the Town can do anything successfully. Without community buy-in and request for such a service, introducing public transit at this time may lead to a divided community. Maybe more time is needed to properly review the proposals. If public transit as is proposed is a good thing for Cochrane and the region given the money during this "green trip" funding opportunity, it will still be a good thing after the election. What's the rush? I just hope nothing is rammed through to avoid a reasoned debate with all opinions and interests on the table. That is what people are saying, and I agree with them.
The last Saturday in September
Yesterday, as I campaigned around town I noticed the golden leaves everywhere along Cochrane's ravine systems and the Bow River. This is truly a lovely town, and fall displays the wonderful natural environment we enjoy. I spent half the day in Glenbow, the other half in Bow Meadows and the evening in the East End. I find that by meeting with citizens in all different parts of Town, I am able to get a better picture of the real common issues and shared community values.
In Glenbow, most people aare concerned about increased traffic and unmanaged growth, and several comments were made about vandalism of fences and yards. Several citizens were concerned with the Town's failure to maintain park areas. Of particular note, the Town has removed the playground equipment from a tot lot and never replaced it, nor did the Town take the time to re-landscape the area. As a result, the area has a garbage can and a few large rocks, and is empty space with an uneven surface for any kind of physcial activity, for example soccer or ball. The Town has done something similar in Cochrane Heights, whereby they removed all the playground equipment from a tot lot next to a residential area and simply did not replace it, even though the original developer dedicated the land for that purpose. The community association in Cochrane Heights has asked repeatedly for it to be replaced and the Town has done nothing about it.
I find it interesting that the Town asks community associations to attend meetings with a few members of council and adminsitration. The associations attend and relate their concerns, but nothing ever changes. I have to wonder if there is any point in these meetings or if they are just opportunities for certain councillors to extend offers to help to raise their political profiles. For example, in the East End, our community association has asked that the noise bylaw be enforced many times, and the noise issue seems to grow rather than lessen. It is really a problem for people who live adjacent to the industrial lands which were developed after the residential neighbourhood. We also told this group of councillors that we have serious concerns about the location of a proposed sidewalk, and the Town did nothing to assist the landowners to learn more about their plans-it was the community association that took over citizen notification and education about what Council was doing. If the Councillors really want to continue these meetings, they should make sure that the community associations have their issues addressed promptly so that there is something new on every agenda rather than posturing and rehashing and new promises every meeting. I would sure like to help make those sessions more collaborative and effective-and get something done!
In Bow Meadows, some citizens are still conerned that a promised pathway system in the Jumping Pound Creek floodway that was washed out in 2005 and again in 2008 has not yet been built. It seems as if the Town takes forever to get some of these simple projects done. I sure hope they have proper provincial and federal permits to work in the Jumping Pound floodway to reinstate the pathway there using the proposed culverts and hard infrastructure, all of which will likely be washed out again if the area floods in the future. There were more environmentally friendly and effective methods available to ensure that citizens had access to those hydrologically sensitive lands, but those were rejected by Council at the time. Hopefully, this project gets done quickly.
One citizen in Bow Meadows commented that he is tired of "fighting city hall", because it seems like every time there is an issue in Bow Meadows the whole community is expected to attend meetings to express their community opinions.
In Bow Meadows, I was greeted with enthusiasm and much support, and it was the first community where anyone brought up the "brand" issue. People there are not very happy with how this Council pushed the new brand down our collective throats. It has left a bad taste to many citizens, and a "tendency to gag"! I have to agree.
In the East End, citizens were concerned about the Highway 1A and Centre Ave intersection where they have to wait for long periods to turn onto Highway 1A to leave for work in the city or to get off Highway 1A into town at night on the way home. There are near misses everyday. Probably the most important note from two families I talked with was the need for some part time jobs in town for stay at home moms who may want to work while the kids are in school. People look forward to the Walmart shopping complex and see this development as an opportunity to work part of the day at retail and other jobs as a means of second income. Everyone I talked to in the East End is worried about taxation and cannot understand the system or why taxes fluctuate. There is a great need for education on the market value system and the taxation rate and why the Town seems to continue to raise taxes unchecked. People do not want Cochrane to become an elitist community where only the wealthy can continue to live here.
One woman in the East End wants to have a pesticide bylaw put in place to control the cosmetic application of pesticides on both public and private lands, and I agreed that we waste a lot of money on pesticides to get rid of dandelions and the like. Of note, those chemicals flow directly off our lawns into the storm drains and into the Bow River and tributaries. I would be happy to help the Town to get such a bylaw in place to regulate and control the cosmetic application of pesticides, and promote naturescaping as an alternative to pesticide application as well as a water conservation strategy.
That's all for now! See you out there in a bit! Thanks to all of you for taking the time to chat with me. I am enjoying every moment.
In Glenbow, most people aare concerned about increased traffic and unmanaged growth, and several comments were made about vandalism of fences and yards. Several citizens were concerned with the Town's failure to maintain park areas. Of particular note, the Town has removed the playground equipment from a tot lot and never replaced it, nor did the Town take the time to re-landscape the area. As a result, the area has a garbage can and a few large rocks, and is empty space with an uneven surface for any kind of physcial activity, for example soccer or ball. The Town has done something similar in Cochrane Heights, whereby they removed all the playground equipment from a tot lot next to a residential area and simply did not replace it, even though the original developer dedicated the land for that purpose. The community association in Cochrane Heights has asked repeatedly for it to be replaced and the Town has done nothing about it.
I find it interesting that the Town asks community associations to attend meetings with a few members of council and adminsitration. The associations attend and relate their concerns, but nothing ever changes. I have to wonder if there is any point in these meetings or if they are just opportunities for certain councillors to extend offers to help to raise their political profiles. For example, in the East End, our community association has asked that the noise bylaw be enforced many times, and the noise issue seems to grow rather than lessen. It is really a problem for people who live adjacent to the industrial lands which were developed after the residential neighbourhood. We also told this group of councillors that we have serious concerns about the location of a proposed sidewalk, and the Town did nothing to assist the landowners to learn more about their plans-it was the community association that took over citizen notification and education about what Council was doing. If the Councillors really want to continue these meetings, they should make sure that the community associations have their issues addressed promptly so that there is something new on every agenda rather than posturing and rehashing and new promises every meeting. I would sure like to help make those sessions more collaborative and effective-and get something done!
In Bow Meadows, some citizens are still conerned that a promised pathway system in the Jumping Pound Creek floodway that was washed out in 2005 and again in 2008 has not yet been built. It seems as if the Town takes forever to get some of these simple projects done. I sure hope they have proper provincial and federal permits to work in the Jumping Pound floodway to reinstate the pathway there using the proposed culverts and hard infrastructure, all of which will likely be washed out again if the area floods in the future. There were more environmentally friendly and effective methods available to ensure that citizens had access to those hydrologically sensitive lands, but those were rejected by Council at the time. Hopefully, this project gets done quickly.
One citizen in Bow Meadows commented that he is tired of "fighting city hall", because it seems like every time there is an issue in Bow Meadows the whole community is expected to attend meetings to express their community opinions.
In Bow Meadows, I was greeted with enthusiasm and much support, and it was the first community where anyone brought up the "brand" issue. People there are not very happy with how this Council pushed the new brand down our collective throats. It has left a bad taste to many citizens, and a "tendency to gag"! I have to agree.
In the East End, citizens were concerned about the Highway 1A and Centre Ave intersection where they have to wait for long periods to turn onto Highway 1A to leave for work in the city or to get off Highway 1A into town at night on the way home. There are near misses everyday. Probably the most important note from two families I talked with was the need for some part time jobs in town for stay at home moms who may want to work while the kids are in school. People look forward to the Walmart shopping complex and see this development as an opportunity to work part of the day at retail and other jobs as a means of second income. Everyone I talked to in the East End is worried about taxation and cannot understand the system or why taxes fluctuate. There is a great need for education on the market value system and the taxation rate and why the Town seems to continue to raise taxes unchecked. People do not want Cochrane to become an elitist community where only the wealthy can continue to live here.
One woman in the East End wants to have a pesticide bylaw put in place to control the cosmetic application of pesticides on both public and private lands, and I agreed that we waste a lot of money on pesticides to get rid of dandelions and the like. Of note, those chemicals flow directly off our lawns into the storm drains and into the Bow River and tributaries. I would be happy to help the Town to get such a bylaw in place to regulate and control the cosmetic application of pesticides, and promote naturescaping as an alternative to pesticide application as well as a water conservation strategy.
That's all for now! See you out there in a bit! Thanks to all of you for taking the time to chat with me. I am enjoying every moment.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)