Hi Neighbours:
A citizen recently posed a question to Council and I
asking us to identify the ways in which Kindersley has experienced improvement
and growth in the past ten years, excluding roadways/sidewalks and the Water
West Project.
The question implies that municipal government is a
driver of growth; however, I don’t think this is the case. Growth is the result
of decisions made by businesses, non-government organizations, and citizens,
acting or reacting to their vision of the future. It is a multi-faceted
activity that reflects the confidence of a group of people living together. I
believe the growth that you see - or don’t think you see – is a result of
everyone’s confidence and decision-making about their lives and their lives
with others.
What, then, do municipal governments facilitate? I
believe there are four things:
Beauty:
Beauty isn’t just about how aesthetically pleasing a
community appears, though it is very important to live in a community that is
inspirational. Beauty is also about hygiene – is the water, wastewater and
refuse treated appropriately so there are no health concerns? Are property
owners maintaining their properties? Are green spaces provided and maintained? The
Town facilitates some of this but the appearance of the Town is fundamentally
that of the community working together.
Justice
(including economics):
At the municipal level, justice is about upholding the
other pillars of community through things like ensuring homes are being well
kept so there are no potential risks (falling buildings, mold, garbage laying
about, etc.) or conditions to encourage rodents, and land use design. Justice
is about economic and social sustainability. Justice in the municipal context
is also about enforcing federal and provincial regulations designed to ensure
beauty, fulfillment, and relationships.
Recently the Town adopted a new Official Community
Plan that guides the relationships between different types of land use. To
ensure that sustainable growth can be accommodated the Town is currently
implementing our Asset Management Plan and Long Term Financial Plan, which is
built on the foundation of our infrastructure capacity assessment.
Fulfillment:
I believe that everyone is searching for fulfillment
in life. Municipal government works with residents to provide space and
opportunity for activities that contribute to personal fulfillment. The WCEC
provides space for hockey, figure skating, yoga, boxing, walking, and more.
Land is zoned so that industrial activity doesn’t interfere with residential
living. Space is provided so that churches, mosques, and temples can be built.
Further, parks are provided and commercial enterprises have space to flourish.
Relationships:
Municipal government’s responsibility is to allow
spaces for peoples to gather together for a host of reasons, including
fellowship, learning, worship, and more. The Town facilitates space but civic
groups and individuals can also create the space for gathering. What goes
on in these spaces is about relationships. How one land use, such as
commercial, relates to another land use, residential, is important and good
design is a part of that relationship.
Conclusion:
The Town’s role is to ensure growth is healthy, responsible, and
sustainable. Here is a quick note: 130 municipalities have been told by the
province that they don’t have the infrastructure to support any new residences,
commercial or industrial businesses. This is not the case in Kindersley.
Furthermore, the Town is but one component of our community. Kindersley
is about us, you and me, working together creating a life for you, me, our
neighbours, acquaintances, and friends. Kindersley is us - working, playing,
and creating together.
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.
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