Mayoral Report: December 2014 - January 2015

Date	Activity	Purpose/Outcome	Follow Up	Policy Number	Expense
12/8	KRPA Meeting	·      Discuss current issues	·      Ongoing	·      GP.2.; GP.4.; GP.7.	$000
12/8	FCM Green Municipal Fund	·      Potential opportunities for Kindersley		·      GP.4.	$000
12/8	COPP	·      Discuss current issues	·      Ongoing	·      GP.2.; GP.4.; GP.7.	$000
12/8	Mayor’s Hours	·      Met with residents, admin tasks, stakeholders, etc	·      Brought concerns to Admin/Council	·      GP.2.; GP.7.	$000
12/8	Pre-Council Meeting	·      Prep for Council Meeting	·      Council	·      GP.2.; GP.7	$000
12/8	Council Meeting	·      Public Meeting	·      Refer to minutes	·      GP.0.; GP.1.	$000
12/9	Institute of Corporate Directors	·      PD: Building Better Board Evaluation Tools	·      Ongoing	·      G.P.8	$000
12/9	KDAC: Discuss NRCC	·      Discuss alternative NRCC operations methods	·      Ongoing	·      GP.2.; GP.4.; GP.7.	$000
12/10	Legal Meeting	·      Develop a legal understanding of a current issue	·      Ongoing	·	$000
12/11	EK Waterline	·      Regular meeting	·      Ongoing	·      G.P.4	$000
12/11	COPP Xmas Party	·      Merry Christmas	·      Greetings	·      GP.2.; GP.4.; GP.7.	$000
12/11	Town Xmas Party	·      Merry Christmas		·      GP.2.; GP.4.; GP.7.	$000
12/12	Mayor’s Hours	·      Met with residents, admin tasks, stakeholders, etc	·      Brought concerns to Admin/Council	·      GP.2.; GP.7.	$000
12/12	KRPA	·      Discuss ongoing issues	·      Bring to Council	·      GP.2.; GP.4.; GP.7.	$000

12/12	KHS NA	·      Discuss process	·      Ongoing	·      GP.4	$000
12/12	Councillor Lunch	·      Discuss issues	·      Ongoing	·      GP.4	$000
12/12	RM Xmas Party	·      Merry Xmas		·      GP.4.;	$000
12/15	Meet w/Mayor of Unity	·      Discuss issues of mutual concern	·      Ongoing	·      G.P.4	$95.53
12/15	Meet w/mayor of Kerrobert	·      Discuss issues of mutual concern	·      Ongoing	·      G.P.4	$000
12/15	Media: Talk Radio	·      Drop in Oil Prices	·      Ongoing	·      G.P.4	$000
12/17	Leaf Your Legacy	·      Discuss display	·      Ongoing	·      GP.2.; GP.4.; GP.7.	$000
12/19	Mayor’s Hours	·      Met with residents, admin tasks, stakeholders, etc	·      Brought concerns to Admin/Council	·      GP.2.; GP.7.	$000
12/19	Health Meeting	·      Discuss current issues	·      Ongoing	·      G.P.4	$000
12/19	Lunch w/Mayor of Steckborn, Switzerland	·      Discuss issues of mutual interest		·      G.P.4	$000
12/21	Visit with Doef	·      Extend best wishes		·      G.P.4	$000
12/22	KHS NA Steering Committee	·      Review Draft	·      Ongoing	·      G.P.4	$000
12/23	Lunch w/WCEC Staff	·      Appreciation		·      GP.2.; GP.7.	$000
12/23	Meet w/Mayor of Humboldt	·      Discuss governance	·      Ongoing conversations	·      G.P.4	$000
12/23	Phase 2	·      Discuss ongoing issues	·      Ongoing	·      GP.2.; GP.4.; GP.7.	$000
12/24	Bill Boyd	·      Discuss ongoing issues	·      Ongoing	·      G.P.4	$000
12/29	Synergy Credit Union	·      Cheque Presentation		·      GP.2.; GP.4.; GP.7.	$000
12/29	Lunch w/Bernie Morton	·      Discuss ongoing issues	·      Ongoing	·      GP.2.; GP.4.; GP.7.	$000
1/5	Mayor’s Hours	·      Met with residents, admin tasks, stakeholders, etc	·      Brought concerns to Admin/Council	·      GP.2.; GP.7.	$000
1/5	Media: JAMAC	·      Interviews with Sarah M & Ken B	·      Discuss current issues	·      G.P.4	$000
1/6	Health Meeting	·      Discuss ongoing issues	·      Ongoing	·      GP.2.; GP.4.; GP.7.	$17.82
1/8	SUMAssure	·      Duties as Director of the Board	·      Ongoing	·      GP.4.	$000
1/9	Mayor’s Hours	·      Met with residents, admin tasks, stakeholders, etc	·      Brought concerns to Admin/Council	·      GP.2.; GP.7.	$000
1/9	Legal	·      Develop legal understanding of current issue	·      Prepared for decisions	·      GP.2.; GP.4.; GP.7.	$000
1/12	Mayor’s Hours	·      Met with residents, admin tasks, stakeholders, etc	·      Brought concerns to Admin/Council	·      GP.2.; GP.7.	$000
1/12	Development Appeals Board	·      Discuss transition	·      Ongoing	·      GP.2.; GP.4.; GP.7.	$000
1/12	Council Meeting	·      Public Meeting	·      Refer to minutes	·      GP.0.; GP.1.	$000
1/13	WCC&FSC 30th Celebration	·      Deliver remarks		·      GP.2.; GP.4.; GP.7.	$000
1/14	Rotary Club	·      Discuss TFW Program		·      GP.2.; GP.4.; GP.7.	$000
1/14	Stranded Motorist	·      Liaison w/Red Cross & Salvation Army		·      G.P.4	$000
1/16	Mayor’s Hours	·      Met with residents, admin tasks, stakeholders, etc	·      Brought concerns to Admin/Council	·      GP.2.; GP.7.	$000
1/16	Community Planning	·      Discuss Development Appeals Board	·      Ongoing	·      G.P.4	$000
1/16	Media: JAMAC	·      Interview	·      Ongoing	·      G.P.4
1/19	KHS NA Steering Committee	·      Discuss roll out	·      Ongoing	·      G.P.4	$000
1/19	Culture Meeting	·      Discuss future direction	·      Ongoing	·      GP.2.; GP.4.; GP.7.	$000
1/19	CUPE	·      Sign Contract		·      G.P.4	$000
1/19	Mayor’s Hours	·      Met with residents, admin tasks, stakeholders, etc	·      Brought concerns to Admin/Council	·      GP.2.; GP.7.	$000
1/20	Media: Golden West	·      Discuss current issues	·      Ongoing	·      G.P 4	$000
1/21	HR: Interviews for Director of Community Services	·      Enhance organizational effectiveness	·      Recruit new Director	·      GP.2.; GP.7.	$000
1/21	PD: Public Sector Compensation	·      Improve understanding	·      Enhance understanding and abilities	·      G.P.8	$000
1/21	K&D Medical Arts Authority	·      Regular Meeting	·      Ongoing	·      G.P.4	$000
Total Expenses					$113.35

 I have been ill and missed activities, meetings and events.

Moment with the Mayor: Civic Engagement/Volunteers

Hi Neighbours:

Our community is changing. This isn't unusual. Every community changes with time; that’s what time does. The big change in our community, which has been happening since the 1980s or so, is the impact of consumerism and the rising cost of living. We live in a socio-economic environment that requires most families to have double incomes. By the time residents work all day, taxi kids to their activities, do errands and spend time with family, additional time for building community is sparse. After all, we only have so much energy and time.

We can see the results in volunteer fatigue and declining citizen engagement. I don’t know of an organization in Kindersley that is not looking for volunteers, or leaders of different groups who are also asking for help with their workload or to take a break from their responsibilities. Without the contributions of volunteers, the day may come when a lot of what makes Kindersley rich and dynamic fades away. This is happening with Town committees.

Back in December, the Town advertised for people to enrich Kindersley by participating in 6 committees: Library, Regional Park, Cemetery, Communities in Bloom, Arts and Culture Committee, and the Development Appeal Board. All of these committees contribute to the richness and vibrancy of Kindersley. It’s not about the specific committee, it’s about community. There were about 25 positions available and we received 4 applications. This is not enough. The Development Appeals Board, as an example, is a legal board required by the province enabling people who want variances in their building project to be accepted. This is a result of the Town saying no. Sometimes the Town supports appeals (the Town may have to say no for legal reasons but supports the variance for other reasons) and sometimes the Town is against the appeal. Nonetheless, this mechanism is needed to ensure healthy growth in Kindersley. We need your help and your neighbours need your help.

The Town is but one organization in Kindersley needing help. Sports groups like Kindersley Minor Sports, arts groups such as Kindersley District Arts Council, civic groups like Citizens on Patrol, and non-government agencies like SPOKES need help. If you want to make a difference, be a part of something larger. If you want to leave a legacy, please consider helping out any of the organizations in Kindersley that enhances our (and your) quality of life.

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.

Rotary Club Meeting: Temporary Foreign Worker Program

One of the members of the Rotary Club invited me to attend their meeting this evening. The speaker was Tom Morris, the General Manager of the Kindersley Inn.

Rotary Club Meeting. Jan 14, 2015

Tom spoke passionately about the effect of the changes to the Temporary Foreign Workers (TFW) program on businesses in Kindersley. You may have experienced the changes directly: Tim Hortons has reduced hours, KFC has closed, and McDonalds has made changes.

The program was designed to help employers staff their businesses by allowing workers from abroad to come to Canada. This has been a successful program for both employers, employees, and communities. In Kindersley some of the people who came through the program have found career oriented jobs, bought houses and cars, and started families; this is evidence of an effective program.

Regrettably some businesses have abused the system and the perception was not good. As a result changes were made that have harmed businesses across western Canada. As the changes were about to be rolled out I met with Minister Jason Kenney on the issue. He was aware of the challenges for the west but the situation in central and eastern Canada were more pressing (the polite way of speaking).

Over supper there was a good discussion on housing as well and its importance.

It was a good supper and thank you to Lilliana for inviting me to learn more.

West Central Crisis & Family Support Centre 30th Anniversary

Here are the remarks I made at the 30th Anniversary of the West Central Crisis and Family Support Centre. The anniversary was held Tuesday January 13th, 2015 at the Kindersley Elks Hall.

Celebrating WCC&FSC 30 Years, 140 guests. Jan 13, 2015

·        Thank you Barry for inviting me to your 30^th Anniversary

·        On behalf of the Town of Kindersley and our neighbours, I want to congratulate you and all who have been involved with the Crisis and Family Support Centre on 30 years of persisting to make the world a better place

·        Assisting people in crisis requires immense compassion, personal investment, and the ability to support others when they are at their most vulnerable

·        For three decades, the Crisis Centre has played a role in saving lives, helping resolve conflicts, healing broken hearts, and assisting our neighbours, friends, and family through some of the most difficult circumstances of their lives

·        To Barry, Michelle and the rest of the Board, Staff, Traumatic Response Team/Victim Assistance Support Team, the Family Support Workers, and the sponsors, heartfelt thanks for the healing hearts and hands you bring to Kindersley and area. The Town of Kindersley is committed to a healthy community

·        I am proud to say that Council has adopted the Anti-Bullying Bylaw. Michelle, thank for helping Council understand some of the issues you deal with.

·        We look forward to working with you in raising awareness about this bylaw and seeing our community turn away from treating others in ways that are harmful and detrimental to living healthy and fulfilling lives.

·        Creating a healthy community requires more than defining and enforcing anti-social behaviour; it requires healthy opportunities to grow and learn for fulfillmetn

·        Accomplishing this requires the collective impact of all agencies in Kindersley to ensure success.

·        The better angels of your nature are much needed and appreciated when the lesser angels of our nature lash out.

·        I look forward to the day when:

·        Women aren’t raped,

·        Children aren’t abused or neglected,

·        Traumatic events like crimes, fires, and accidents are a thing of the past,

·        Men and women find fulfillment, comfort, and healing through healthy activities rather than through abusing drugs and alcohol,

·        Spouses aren’t betrayed, and

·        Bullying isn’t a reality.

·        This is not the way it should be.

·        I want to thank you for 30 years of fighting evil and providing comfort and healing

·        And I live with the hope that there will be a day when all of the tears have been wiped away.

·        A day when there is no more death or mourning or crying or pain

·        When everything has been made new

·        On behalf of the Town of Kindersley and residents of Kindersley, thank you once again for the opportunity to be here and for the care and commitment from each one of you toward making our community and our world a better place. 

Silent Auction Table for the WCC&FSC. Jan 13, 2015

Moment with the Mayor: Municipal Labour Market

Hi Neighbours:

There is an impending labour shortage for municipalities. In the 1970s, more than 40% of college and university students in the US were willing to work for a level of government. Today, that number is less than 15%. Coupled with this challenge is the aging of the “baby boomers” generation; they are starting to retire and replacing them is proving difficult. Here in Kindersley, it has been difficult to recruit some staff with the technical expertise that is needed and the personality to work with a broad range of people. As a result, some jobs are going unfilled and salaries are increasing in an attempt to stimulate recruitment.

There are numerous municipal positions available throughout Canada that are empty because of the lack of qualified personnel, the salaries paid in the private sector, and the working conditions. What I mean by working conditions is that many of our employees are not treated with respect by some user group representatives and residents.

What is the Town’s greatest asset? Is it the Haubrich Water Plant? The landfill? The waste water lagoon? The WCEC? Our programming and events? In my opinion, none of these goods and services are the most valuable asset. The Town’s most valuable asset is its employees. It is due to the employees that we have the services, programs, and facilities that we have – a safe water treatment and waste water disposal system, waste management, public works, programming, and much more.

Our employees work in the public eye and are often under a lot of scrutiny from citizens and provincial and federal regulators. The public scrutinizes the services they use while the regulators govern virtually everything a municipality does, including the certification required by employees to carry out their scope of work.

The municipal labour shortage is expected to be acute in 10 – 15 years. Council’s responsibility, as we look down the road, is to develop the policies and culture necessary to ensure that Kindersley is able to recruit and retain quality staff, and foster Kindersley’s ongoing success. Council needs to nurture a culture in which working for the Town of Kindersley is desirable. This type of change takes time, patience, and persistence, and is accomplished over the course of three or four Council terms.

As we work together, we can build a culture that creates a thriving and dynamic community that is attractive for both new and longtime residents regardless of their occupations.

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.