Moment with the Mayor: New Park & Public Participation

Hi Neighbours:

Thursday evening, the 27^th, we are having another public meeting at Caleb Village. This time it is for the development of a new park on the long stretch of land between Hahn Cres and Coleman Cres. Parks can be little community jewels, and our goal is to have a jewel that is well used. To design a park that is beautiful and enjoyed by many, we need the participation of the neighbourhood and interested persons. What does the neighbourhood want to see in the park? What could be the distinguishing features?

We need participation because Kindersley is changing - we have more cultural and ethnic diversity, greater mobility, saturated internet connectivity, residents who are more informed and want to have input into the decision-making process, and our desire for increased openness and transparency.

I think there are four important parts of the planning process:

1.       Good policy is comprehensive – it can’t be developed in isolation.

2.      Community enhancement and growth requires public participation – Council, Administration, and stakeholders need to work/collaborate together.

3.      Our/Kindersley’s goals require long term planning – we need to be intentional and disciplined to achieve community goals.

4.      Our/Kindersley’s expectations change over time – expectations in 2012 may be different in 2015.

I am convinced that when we have healthy community participation, and Council and Administration listen and respond responsibly, then we have healthy progress. If Council is asking you to participate, what is Council and Admin’s responsibility? To treat your input respectfully, clearly outline the scope of the input requested, and to be well organized and prepared.

Finally, I want to share with you Council’s purpose, according to our Council Policy Manual (GP.0.) In fact, this policy is so important that I have had it placed under the glass on every Councillor’s desk: “The purpose of Council, on behalf of the ratepayers of Kindersley, is to see to it that the Town of Kindersley (a) achieves appropriate results for appropriate persons at an appropriate cost and (b) avoids unacceptable actions and situations.”

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.