Webcast
To get the full flavour of how decisions are made tune into the webcast. The
webcast is timed and titled so that you can refer immediately to the specific agenda
items.
Cavalry Statue
Discussion
centered on the merits of a ‘Cavalry Soldier and Horse Monument’ that will cost
a quarter of a million dollars.
Some
felt that this would be a suitable and fitting honour to Strathcona County’s
military families. I am saddened that this amount of money could be misspent on
a project that has had no input from the very stakeholders it represents – our
veterans, the art community and public. Not only were our residents not
consulted, but it seems out of sync with our new community branding and
existing public art. I have already had calls from two military families that
are suggesting that the money could be spent on more current concerns.
Personally, I can think of forty other projects that would greatly benefit from the use of
a quarter of a million of taxpayer’s dollars. It seems odd that the
municipality is taking the bit in it’s teeth on this project. After much debate
the project was referred back to administration to review costs and locations
and hopefully to engage stakeholders and potential interested private
funders.
Youth Pilot Projects
Update
Administration
presented an update on recent research and various programs available to youth
in Strathcona County. Given that youth from age 10 to 24 make up more than 21% of
our population, it behooves this municipality to put efforts and resources into
proactive and prevention programs. Surveys and focus group results came up with
suggestions that make a lot of sense: upgrade Millennium Place youth area to
become a ‘one stop shop’ where kids could connect with youth workers that could
provide knowledgeable assistance to bullying, dealing, mental/emotional
stressors and family disruptions issues.
The
KEYS and Family School Liason program were cited as invaluable to students. The
new mentoring project has been hailed as successful.
Thisis a great read for all residents interested in how their municipality is
responding to current youth issues.
Mature Neighbourhood
Strategy
There
has been confusion and frustration leveled at the municipality from homeowners
in the mature neighbourhoods since this process began. After Council
discussion, administration was asked to alter course.
A greater amount of
public participation and contribution is needed. Since this project was
initiated I have been asking for a greater level of public collaboration.
The
consultation started off well with a panelist session that included a realtor
resident, developer, builder and representative of community interests. Citizen
Circles were formed. The municipal role has been to obtain feedback. It has
been lacking a two way dialogue that will impart more perspectives, goals,
plans, and expectations.
Many residents felt that they were being asked for
their opinions without a thorough understanding of what was ‘going on’. There was confusion which resulted in
many home owners thinking that the goal of the municipality was to increase
density in our oldest neighbourhoods. Residents felt that revitalization,
protection of architectural character and neighbourhood personality seemed not
to be of great importance in the conversation.
I still believe this entire
process needs to be directed by the residents themselves. Residents need to be the ones to
contribute directly, to advise in the development of solutions, make
recommendations and alternatives that will mold the decisions on how we
revitalize and redevelop our neighbourhoods in the future. There is a gap in
where we are to where we need to be in the process for it to be as
collaborative as it needs to be.
Administration
has indicates they will be retooling the process and timeline to accommodate
this need. It will start with a participatory workshop for all stakeholder
residents and businesses in the Community Centre Agora to explore the findings
together.
Citizens On Patrol (C.O.P.)
Reports to Council
President Ruth Shewfelt presented to Council on the achievements of one
of our high profile volunteer groups. Citizens on Patrol is a volunteer group that
believes in safer neighbourhoods.
Acting
as the extra eyes and ears for the Strathcona RCMP, Citizens On Patrol members patrol urban and
rural neighbourhoods throughout the County night and day to help keep our
communities safe and trouble free.
A group of about fifty members have an impressive record of helping our
community. This past year they logged almost 2,000 patrol hours and recorded
more than 22,000 kilometres throughout our rural and urban roads. In that time, members
recorded hundreds of observations. A resulting 130 calls were made to the RCMP dispatch.
Citizens on Patrol members do so much in our community. You will see
them in their Speed Watch vests out on our residential streets. Last year they
put in 236 hours monitoring traffic.
These volunteers also assist
RCMP at high-profile community events such as
New Years and July first
events, the Terry Fox Run, the Josephburg Christmas Train, “Rural Living Days”
in Ardrossan, South Cooking Lake's “Trail Days”, special Halloween patrols, Emergency
Preparedness, Victim Services Walk and Run event, the Cancer Relay For
Life and the local Trade Fair.
During the major fires in the northern
part of the County, they assisted with road blockades. If you are interested in
getting involved in a group that makes a big difference in our community,
please contact 780.449.0164
E News Bulletin
I send out an E News
Bulletin four times a month to residents. It is an opportunity for me to inform
you of events and matters of interest to your family and neighbours in a timely
manner. These electronic news flashes also help me to get your input and touch
base with you. You are welcome to sign up at roxanne.carr@strathcona.ca
