Moment with the Mayor: Chamber of Commerce Remarks

Hi Neighbours:

Today’s column reiterates some of my opening and closing remarks at the Chamber of Commerce Question and Answer evening held on July 9. When we have time, I will be recording answers to the questions posed that evening, and some additional questions, on video so you can watch them on the Town website.

Events like the Question and Answer session are important. The Town and Chamber of Commerce are partners working together to build Kindersley, along with all community groups. We all have responsibility in ensuring that Kindersley is an economically and socially vibrant community, and this requires that we work together as a team. Council is proud to be a part of the Kindersley team and want to work with all groups.

Council is committed to being open and transparent, and this Q&A helped address communication challenges we are facing. Council’s vision is to have a positively engaged community building an economically and socially vibrant community.

As part of the sustainability and growth of Kindersley, we are asking the Chamber to work with us on economic development; to pull together a package of potential policies that will help accomplish this. We are asking that they be partners in addressing the tough questions such as whether a hotel destination tax should be established. Do we need Business Improvement Districts? How about an economic development committee that may grow into an economic development corporation? How much of property taxes should be shifted between residential and commercial properties? These are fundamental questions and actions for which the Town is but one partner.

Council consists of 7 people who are working hard for you, and we need your help. We need the Chamber’s help with some of these questions and their input on others.

We are a team. There is no “us” and “them,” we have to work together - all of the stakeholders in Kindersley, for the benefit of all of Kindersley. 

So, come, and work with us.

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.