Moment with the Mayor

Hi Neighbours:

Everyone likes talking about stuff: home, neighbourhood, town, sports, arts, culture, and the list goes on. I very much like talking with people on a variety of issues. Generally, people ask questions to help them understand what is going on. Other times, people have their minds made up and shoot from the hip regardless of what the circumstances are leading to decisions. There are those, such as editors, who I hold to a higher responsibility to be informed and make the necessary inquiries to ensure their facts are correct.

Recently, Kevin McBain KGM wrote an editorial in the May 7, 2014 Clarion, pining for the old days and making some false assertions. KGM questions a 5.5% tax increase as part of being a town. What he failed to do was construct an informed argument to support his position, and I would like to fill in some of the many holes.

The Town needs to build new infrastructure, maintain existing infrastructure, and to replace obsolete infrastructure. As a result:

·         More than 30% of the budget is allocated to capital (this is an increase from last year and is driven by growth and the infrastructure deficit).

·         More than 3% (almost $300,000) was reduced from operations.

·         More than $1 million in maintenance spending was deferred.

·         Reserves have been increased for anticipated future expenses and the unknown

This Council worked hard to keep the tax rate down as much as possible. I would also argue, and I have, that the Province is growing on the backs of municipalities without contributing their share of investment

KGM laments that the newspaper can no longer call department heads directly. There is a reason for that:

• The Town needs to speak with one voice and the Communication Manager works with the Mayor and CAO to ensure that there is consistent communication from the Town. The worst thing to happen is to have the Mayor say one thing, the CAO another, and a department head a third thing about the facts or policy. The communication process we use is standard in many communities, including his point of reference, North Battleford.
• As a rule of thumb, the Mayor speaks to policy, budget, and bylaws; the CAO speaks to implementation and technical questions; and department heads may speak regarding technical and operational specifics.

 KGM is wrong when he says North Battleford doesn't have a Communications Director.

• North Battleford's Communication Manager is Mike Halstead and he meets and talks regularly with Communications Officers from Humboldt, Kindersley, Lloydminster, Melfort, Prince Albert, Swift Current, and Yorkton, to name some communities.

KGM says we should take a step back.

• We have stepped back to determine how best to manage our current situation, and the Kindersley Growth Plan consists of 11 plans in place for responsible and sustainable growth. What should we take a step back from?
• Upgraded and new lift stations so that sewage floods our basements?
• Planning a new lagoon needed for more residential, commercial, and industrial developments?
• Work on a new regional landfill? (not an option) Or decommissioning the current landfill? (not an option)

KGM says there have been no shovels in the ground for the new residential development.

• The earth movers were here last fall and winter grading the land.
• Work is being done so a temporary 9 person work camp can be set up on site to accommodate temporary workers. - approval has been granted for the camp.
• Installation of water and sewage lines is underway.

This Council is working hard to ensure Kindersley grows and changes responsibly and is sustainable. The positions advertised in the Clarion contribute to all of the above work that has to be done, and the efficiencies that will result in work being done better. I am looking forward to working with KGM to build Kindersley.

Please write or phone if you would like me to discuss a particular topic. If you have any questions or comments, drop me a line at the town office or email me at mayorenns-wind@kindersley.ca. You can also check out my blog at http://mayorjohn.blogspot.ca/. I appreciate your feedback.